August 7, 2024 – Wednesday
Today was another foggy day, though not as dense as yesterday, making it less stressful to navigate. Over the past several days we had seen very few boats on the water. However, today was different. It seemed to be a special day for Canadian fishers, as we had plenty of company on the water, with most of them engaged in fishing. The fishing boats varied in size, from small sport fishing vessels to large commercial fishing boats.
While yesterday’s highlight was the abundance of wildlife, today we were mesmerized by the stunning waterfalls. We were fortunate to see whales again, mostly in the distance, which wasn’t ideal for photography but perfect for observation. As we entered Hiekish Narrows, our speed dropped from 6 to 3 knots due to the strong current. Rick described the narrows as akin to going upstream in a fast-flowing river, where the currents constantly tried to push us against the rocks.
A memorable part of the day was a humpback whale that seemed to guide us through Hiekish Narrows. We first spotted the whale as we approached the entry, swimming from the east side to the west directly in front of us. Throughout our passage through the narrows, the whale would surface, blow several times, and then dive back down, leading us all the way to the end. As we exited, it gave us a final show with three more blows and a tail flip before disappearing below.
After leaving the narrows, we passed a fish farm and reminisced about how this area was the first place we had seen a whale on our journey north. From the narrows, we headed east up Sheep Passage to Windy Bay, where we found calm anchorage and were serenaded by various bird sounds. We were particularly entertained by a little gull that claimed a small piece of wood as its boat for the evening. Despite others trying to take the log, the gull was determined to keep it. Eventually, the tide carried the gull behind our boat and out of the bay, about a mile away.
The Little Gull, the world’s smallest gull, has a graceful flight style similar to a tern, but with rounded wingtips. They are fascinating creatures known for their agility and social nature. These birds often form large flocks, relying on group dynamics for protection and efficient foraging. Their diet consists mainly of insects, small fish, and crustaceans, which they skillfully catch with their nimble movements. Unlike their larger counterparts, little gulls are more adaptable to various environments, including inland areas. They prefer concealed nesting sites within large colonies, providing safety in numbers. Despite their size, these seagulls exhibit remarkable adaptability and resourcefulness, making them a captivating creature to watch. We have loved watching them interact with each other.
Butedale Waterfall Video
