Tuesday, December 3, 2024

How to Deal With Bears on Vancouver Island, BC

 


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Staying at a friend’s house in November on Vancouver Island, Canada, I experienced not only a bomb cyclone with extreme winds and 23 hours of power outage but also three bear break-ins!  Not into the house but the garage where two huge fridges are placed. 


A sign I saw in another Sooke neighborhood explicitly discouraged having fridges outside the house.  The garage door was not safely secured and a wooden pallet leaning against one of the fridges was not an obstacle for the bear.  The bear ripped it open and took out all the fruit yogurt, cream cups, and cakes, and indulged in it, making a terrible mess everywhere.


My friends secured the garage door somewhat, but not enough that the bear could not break in a second time two days later. 

This time he completely ripped out the freezer door but left the meat untouched.  The remaining food in the fridge was secured with several heavy garden tools.  As if this would not be enough, at the bear's third visit he managed to break the secured door 

of the fridge.


Once a bear finds a food source in a neighborhood, they will revisit that same location over and over again. 






Talking with quite a few people besides my friends, I learned that fall and early spring are the times when bears start eating and drinking almost nonstop.  They can gain up to four pounds in a day.  They need to put on weight to prepare for winter and hibernation.  I also found out that it is unfair to the bears not to secure food sources - even illegal in some areas. 

Potential bear food sources such as bird feeders, pet food, dirty BBQ grills, and open compost: trash and REMOVE those food sources IMMEDIATELY.


Why?  The bears do not hunt anymore, for example, catching salmon fish in the rivers and sea bays.  Or eat berries and insects.  Easily finding food around human developments makes them lazy and they forget all their hunting skills.  This is not the only danger for the animals: If they are attracted to human-associated food sources, they may be more vulnerable to being hit by a car and may lose their fear of people.  In the worst case, if a bear behaves in a way that is a threat to public safety it might be even euthanized. 



Bears on Vancouver Island, Canada

There are an estimated 7,000–12,000 black bears on Vancouver Island, making it one of the densest populations in the world.  In British Columbia, black bears inhabit all areas of the province except cities.  They are relatively numerous and tolerant of human activities and as a result, are the most commonly encountered large carnivores in the province.



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Cubs are born in January or February, during hibernation.  Black bears usually have two cubs, but litter sizes vary from one to five.  Cubs stay with their mother their entire first year and sometimes longer.  During that time, she protects them and teaches them how to survive. 


Hibernation is an important survival strategy for bears in regions such as British Columbia where their main foods – green vegetation, berries, salmon, and insects – are not available in winter.  Black bears typically hibernate for three to five months on the south coast and for longer periods (probably five to seven months) in the interior and the north.  Females, particularly the pregnant ones, hibernate longer than males.


While a bear is unlikely to attack, there are tons on Vancouver Island, and it is quite likely you will encounter one during your time, whether it’s crossing the street, cruising a yard, or wandering on a trail.  If you are bear-smart (by following the tips below and similar others), you won’t have an issue with these beautiful beasts.  If you do run into one though, here’s what to do:


  • Prepare your bear spray
  • If in a group – stick together to seem larger
  • Determine three things: 
  •         The kind of bear, if it has cubs!!! and if it protects a food source
  • Speak slowly in a calm tone
  • Back away slowly and keep an eye on the bear
  • Do not run!


Read More:


https://biganimalencounters.com/5-facts-about-black-bears-on-vi


https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/blackbear.pdf


https://www.discovervancouverisland.com/blog/bear-wolf-cougar-safety


https://www.hellobc.com/stories/top-places-to-spot-bears-in-bc


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Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Best Spots for Whale-Watching in Canada From Coast to Coast



Summer is the best time for whale-watching on Canada's coasts from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island.  Even though I had the pleasure of watching whales in the St. Lawrence stream at sunrise and the next evening at sunset, just walking along the shore.


The best whale-watching tours are more than a boat trip with a photo op — they can provide a meaningful learning experience, especially when led by an experienced local guide.  Many expert guides in the whale-watching community also consider themselves citizen scientists, conducting ongoing research on the animals that frequent their coastal villages.  Here are some of the best places:

  • Maritimes
  • St. Lawrence River in Quebec
  • Hudson´s Bay in Manitoba
  • Salish Sea in British Columbia

Maritimes 

Around Trinity, New Foundland, explore the waters around the Bonavista Peninsula between May and October.  Whales feast on capelin (a small, silver fish) and squid.  In May or June icebergs add to the jaw-dropping experience.


Around Saint Andrews, New Brunswick:  As the warm weather arrives, so do the migratory whales who summer off the coast, gathering to feast in the nutrient-rich waters in the Bay of Fundy until September.  Brier Island in Nova Scotia is another spot near the Bay of Fundy where you can book whale-watching tours.



St. Lawrence River

More than 2,200 species inhabit the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park.  Belugas and blue whales mingle in the St. Lawrence Estuary in Quebec making it a particularly special whale-watching locale, especially around Tadoussac or nearby Les Bergeronnes.


Pacific Coast

The Salish Sea may be British Columbia's best under-the-radar whale-watching destination.  Sandwiched between the mainland and Vancouver Island and stretching from Campbell River down to Washington state.  Northern resident orcas tend to live year-round in the Salish Sea while orcas, humpbacks, and grey whales are spotted seasonally.  Nanaimo, Parksville or Campbell River are the best bases for whale-watching tours. Book Indigenous-owned and operated tours from May to September.



Hudson’s Bay

During the summer months, thousands of the almost 50,000 Beluga whales travel to the warmer waters of the Churchill River to feed and give birth.  The beluga capital of the world, Churchill, Manitoba, is the go-to destination for encounters with the "canaries of the sea”.  Whale-watching tours start in July once the ice has fully melted off the bay, and the colors of the subarctic are at their most stunning in late July and early August as wildflowers begin to bloom. Some of the tour boats have even underwater picture windows designed for marine life viewing.


Read more and get whale-watching tour operators:

 https://www.cbc.ca/life/travel/whale-watching-in-canada-where-to-spot-them-1.6866274


Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Spring in Sidney, Vancouver Island, Canada


Rhododendrons bloom already in February

Spring arrives early on Vancouver Island, typically in February with blooming Cherry trees,
Daffodils, and Rhododendron bushes in full bloom due to the winter´s moderate climate. Visit the botanical gardens or make a road trip to see the beauty of the island's nature in spring.
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Sailing is a popular sport around Vancouver Island
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Cherry Blooms in February

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There is something magical about wandering around town soaking in the vibe of the city.  Especially in Spring. The beginnings of cherry blossom buds, the green leaves of hellebores, and vibrant tulips.

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Aviation Museum
For aviation enthusiasts, the British Columbia Aviation Museum is open seven days a week.  It features several aircraft and artifacts related to the history of aviation in Canada, with an emphasis on BC aviation history.  The museum displays restored aircraft, engines, and pictures, photos, and videos in addition to memorials of key figures of aviation history.


Town of Bookstores

Sidney residents must share a love of the written word as evidenced by the town’s numerous bookstores, all located within a few blocks of one another. Each bookstore offers something different, from new titles to children’s classics and rare and antique works. 


Sidney Museum and Archives

The Sidney Museum features 8,000 artifacts and regularly updated permanent displays on local First Nations, industry, transportation, agriculture, and social history. Displays include a vintage kitchen, a vintage storefront, a rustic barn. and a schoolhouse. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Sidney Museum also features temporary exhibits.

2423 Beacon Ave


Wine and Ciders

In and around Sidney, there are numerous vineyards and distillers around to help quench your thirst, including Victoria Distillers’ new waterfront distillery in Sidney, the Sea Cider Far & Cider House in Saanichton, the Roost Vineyard Bistro in North Saanichton, and Deep Cove Winery, also in North Saanichton.


Sidney Whale Watching

The calm waters near Sidney make the region an excellent place for whale watching. Watch from the privacy of your own boat, or book through Sidney Whale Watching.


Ferry to Sidney Spit
From downtown Sidney, visitors can enjoy a short ferry trip to Sidney Spit, an idyllic island perfect for camping, hiking, bird watching or simply hanging out on stunning beaches. Accessible only by water, Sidney Spit is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.  




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Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Stunning Beauty in the Salish Sea Center on Vancouver Island

 


I had no idea that there was this much color in the ocean.  Wandering from one Aquarium tank to the next I stared in disbelief at the beautiful tropical colors and forms of the maritime animals and plants.  How can such a color explosion live underneath the grey-blue waters of the Salish Sea?  It was like being in a colorful art exhibition.  





The outside of the building is unassuming as it’s the ground level of a hotel/condo.  I thought the aquarium was on the ground level… but discovered that after entering the submarine elevator hatch visitors descend to the ocean floor a few leagues under the sea. 




The Salish Ocean Centre does a fantastic job of bringing the sea and all the fascinating and diverse sea creatures right to visitors.  The aquarium is Canada’s only one that is dedicated to the marine life-rich Salish Sea.  Visitors will find over 3,500 animals at the aquarium of over 150 species from the Salish Sea.




The area of the Salish Sea is 110,000 square kilometers from mountaintop to ocean.  The Salish Sea covers the Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the waters off of Vancouver, BC.  The area spans from Olympia, Washington in the south to the Campbell River, British Columbia in the north, and west to Neah Bay.  It also includes the large cities of Seattle and Vancouver.  




The marine ecosystem is home to many charismatic species.  These include endangered southern resident killer whales.  Their population has dropped to just 75 individuals, as well as the Chinook salmon they depend on for survival.




Underwater Beauty 

Explore the underwater beauty of the Salish Sea - one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world!  The exhibit shows many species of jellyfish, plankton, and algae (ocean drifters) to help visitors understand the foundations of the ocean food web in the Salish Sea.  





Species in this exhibit include Sea nettles and Moon Jellys.  There’s a good diversity of tank sizes, but my favorite was the floor-to-ceiling tanks.






Gallery of the Salish Sea

This exhibit is home to hundreds of species of fish, invertebrates, and marine plants from the Salish Sea, including Giant Pacific Octopus, Wolf Eel, Rock greenling, Painted greenling, Pacific Herring, Chinook Salmon, King Crab.






The Salish Sea Center is located in the Sidney Pier Building on the waterfront in the Vancouver Island town of Sidney, Canada, in the Greater Victoria region

9811 Seaport Pl, Sidney, BC 

Open daily from 10 am to 4:00 pm - closed on Wednesdays




Travel Times by car:

  • 25 minutes north of Victoria on Highway 17
  • 10 minutes from the BC Ferry Terminal at Swartz Bay
  • 5 minutes from the Victoria International Airport
  • 25 minutes from the Washington State Ferry Terminal in Sidney



Parking: Sidney has many free public parking lots in addition to free on-street parking.  Sidney is surrounded by the ocean, but it’s rare to see what lives deep within it.  Thanks to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea we can look at the incredible creatures that live below the surface. 


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIh4b29UVMU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDI1QmvN3j8&t=34s



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