Jan Kotyk
Courtenay, CA
Member since December 13, 2020
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Cascading tail
A fishing trip that produced no fish, but did lead to having more than 12 humpbacks swim around our boat. We tried to hold our cheers in and one after another a humpback would exhale through it's blowhole shocking us as we sat in the boat. The engine had been turned off for quite some time as we all watched the horizon for the next whale to appear. I was so happy that I was able to have such an amazing experience with my family and extended family. This whale dove under our boat and I was able to catch a photo just as it was about to dive down deep again.
Catch of the day
I was a the beach with my family and spotted a mink that had pulled a flat fish from the ocean and hide under a rock to devour it. I happened to have my camera and spent the next hour or so watching and photographing as the mink continued to bring different delectables back to its hidden lunch spot. I was able to get a photo just as the mink, kelp crab in mouth, made a jump from one barnacle covered stone to the next. I kept my distance and was able to watch until it had ate it's fill. At that point it called out and another mink came. I assume it was a mating pair taking turns away from it's young. My mink friend left and the new one stayed to pull treats from the ocean.
Catching a ride
After going through the many, many photos I had taken of the humpbacks we had spotted on our fishing trip. I was in awe of the barnacles that clung to the tail of the giant sea creatures. This one in particular showed the water dripping off the sharp ends of the crustaceans. Although we didn't catch any fish, everyone in the boat could agree that it was worth it boat ride just to sit in the quiet boat, bobbing about as we watched the humpbacks play amongst us.
Eye spy
My family and I were camping at Cluxewe Resort in Port McNeill, BC. We were supposed to meet up at my brother-in-laws camp site for a visit when an eagle caught my attention. I told my wife I would catch up to her and my son shortly, my wife laughed and said she knew what that meant. The eagle was successfully hunting salmon and bringing them to the tree in our site to feast. It was being harassed by a very persistent crow the entire time who wanted a share of the meal. The eagle didn't seem to mind my company but was keeping a good watch on me just in case. I was so excited I kept telling every passerby to have a peak. I photographed the eagle for just shy of 2 hours. I never did make it to my brother-in-laws camp site that afternoon. (I did catch up with them later, unfortunately for them it was to hear a recap of the entire experience)
Double rainbow spray
During a fishing excursion with my family and extended family we spotted a humpback. 1 humpback quickly turned to 2...then 3...and so on. At one point we had counted at least 12 humpbacks that were within our view. We gave up on fishing, cut the motor and sat in awe as they swam around our boat. We witnessed many breaches, splashing and playing and even had one rub its belly up against the bow of my brother-in-laws 18 foot boat. I took many photos including this double spray which created a rainbow affect. No one was upset that we didn't catch anything that day.