Great Bear Rainforest (Part 7)

The next day started with an oscillating drizzle -- sometimes light, sometimes moderate. (It's a temperate rainforest, yes? Don't complain, sailor, just put on your raingear.) After pulling out from Hartley Bay the Island Roamer soon reached the southern end of Gil Island and the private research station, Cetacealab. We were treated to a presentation by Herman, and learned about their hydrophone-based research into resident and transient orca pods, orca calls, and the three dialect groups among the resident pods in that area. I highly recommend checking out the web site. Here's a snapshot of Hermann in the shadows behind Joan, along with Candy and Frieda (in the camo outfit).

Given that the rain was continuing, plan B was invoked (good trip leaders always have a plan B, and usually a plan C), and so the afternoon was spent in Barnard Harbor, close by to Gil Island, feasting our eyes on humpbacks that were breaching, tail slapping, and even occasionally spy-hopping. Seals frolicked among the whales without much concern for being smacked by an errant tail or flipper. (Apologies that some photos were taken through a rain-swept plastic screen. I'm a wimp when it comes to hauling the camera out in foul weather!)

 

 

Barnard Harbor is also home to the King Pacific Lodge, a floating luxury resort, which we admired from a distance.

The humpbacks seemed to love Barnard Harbor. As we departed we had two escorts close by the port side of the boat!

The rain diminished and the clouds began to disperse as we made our way down to Chapple Inlet to anchor for the night. The scenery had metamorphosed by the time we reached the inlet.

All hands on deck for the sunset, dinner will have to wait ...