British Columbia
Desolation Sound
Prideaux Haven Marine Park, BC
Friday, October 05, 2012TheCambrians
I took Sally to the head of Melanie Cove this morning so she could stretch her paws along the trail and discovered two boats anchored in the bay – we’re not alone after all.
We walked along the trail that leads to Laura Cove, one of us more reluctant than the other, until we came upon a small pile of bear scat. It wasn’t fresh but it wasn’t old either, so we turned around and went back to the boat. The good news is that the bear we followed last year is most likely in the area. Now it’s only the not-so-small matter of crossing paths.
I went kayaking after lunch to look for our furry-friend while David stayed aboard and sunk his nose into another book. I paddled up the channel separating Cobblestone Island from Melanie Point, ducking into lagoons along the way to listen for any rustling in the bushes. Nothing. So I carried on to Laura Cove, into Homfray Channel and along the outside of Cobblestone Island. Nothing again. It was only when I turned the corner to go back to the boat that I heard rustling in the bushes. The sound grew closer and I was convinced it was our bear, so I grabbed the camera and got ready as it approached the shore. And before I knew it, I was face to face with a squirrel who looked nearly as surprised as I was.
I wasn’t too disappointed. It had been another beautiful afternoon and I had a nice paddle around in the kayak. It was so quiet that I could hear life all around me: The flap of a raven’s wings. A seal coming up for a breath of water. The shriek of an eagle. Kingfishers. A loon. It was nothing short of magical.
It doesn’t seem to matter how often we visit Prideaux Haven, each time is different from the last and we always leave loving this place more and more, especially this time of year. But then again, who wouldn’t?
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