| "Whether you boat on fresh water or on the | | | | can be seen swimming through the waters, or |
| ocean, there is a lot of marine life to observe and | | | | sunning themselves on large logs or rocky |
| appreciate. We boat in the Pacific Northwest off | | | | outcroppings along the shoreline. The bark of a |
| the west coast around the islands and straits of | | | | seal is loud and comical to hear and they are |
| the Pacific Ocean. The sea life here is exceptional. | | | | another creature that can entertain west coast |
| Following are some of our wonderful experiences." | | | | boaters. |
| One of the most powerful sights is that of large | | | | When the salmon are running, you will find another |
| pods of Orca whales, or Killer whales as they are | | | | fisherman, one with wings. There are many Bald |
| often referred to, as they migrate off the coast. | | | | Eagles on the west coast and they also enjoy a |
| Sometimes there can be several in these pods | | | | good salmon dinner. These are very majestic |
| including mother whales and their babies. Orca | | | | birds. Their soaring overhead is something to be |
| whales are quite beautiful to see. Their black and | | | | marvelled at. The black and white features really |
| white bodies glisten in the sunlight each time they | | | | stand out against the sky as they glide and then |
| appear near the water surface or do a breach | | | | swoop down for a fish. |
| jump. Usually the babies follow their mothers. It is | | | | Sea otters can sometimes be seen around large |
| quite possible to watch them for hours without | | | | beds of kelp. In particular I have seen many when |
| getting tired. | | | | boating in our Bayliner, off the coastline from |
| Boaters must be careful and remain a respectable | | | | British Columbia to California. These sea creatures |
| distance from the whales, as most whales are | | | | are very timid, so you must give them space. |
| endangered. You do not want to interfere with | | | | They love to float on their backs and eat sea |
| their normal migration routes and movements. It | | | | urchins or play in the water, rolling over and over. |
| is possible to see Orca whales up close in | | | | Often you can see them playing in pairs. Sea |
| captivity, and they are splendid animals. But when | | | | otters are my husband's favorite sea mammals. |
| you can actually see them in their normal | | | | He loves to watch them play. They really are |
| environment in the ocean, it is magnificent. How | | | | very cute. If you have watched them, I'm sure |
| fortunate we are to be able to go boating for a | | | | you will agree. |
| few days and have them entertain us along the | | | | As well as these mammals, the coast offers |
| way. | | | | wonderful creatures that attached themselves to |
| Another sea mammal that I always enjoy | | | | the rocks and driftwood or coral. Sea anemones |
| watching is the dolphin or the porpoise. They too | | | | are absolutely beautiful, as are the many colored |
| can be found off the west coast. These | | | | starfish. Anenomes are found in white, pale green |
| mammals are so sleek and they can swim at | | | | and soft pinks with large fluffy plumes. Starfish |
| very fast speeds. As they jump and slice through | | | | are found in ranges of bright orange to deep |
| the surface of the water they are quite | | | | purple. They can be very tiny and fragile or very |
| entertaining. Most people have seen dolphins in | | | | large. Some measure several inches across. Sea |
| action at the various aquariums around the world. | | | | cucumbers, barnacles, sand dollars, oysters, |
| Well they do the same in the wild. They make | | | | mussels and crabs are all found along the coastline. |
| me laugh. I think that they actually enjoy an | | | | I love to walk on docks at marinas when the tide |
| audience! | | | | is out and see some of these shell fish in tiny |
| Living in the Pacific North West, we are very | | | | pools of water. You can often get up quite close |
| aware of the salmon industry. When boating, | | | | to see them better. |
| there are many small fishing boats out with their | | | | All in all we are very fortunate in this area to be |
| nets during the fisheries openings for the various | | | | able to see so many creatures. Many of which |
| kinds of salmon. It is fun to watch them jump. | | | | are not seen by most people around the world. |
| Seals are also very good fishermen. You can be | | | | They enhance our environment and our boating |
| sure that when the salmon are plentiful around | | | | experiences. It is important that we remember to |
| the mouths of the large rivers, you will see a lot | | | | respect all of these creatures in their natural |
| of seals. They love to fish for salmon, much to | | | | environments, so as not to interfere with nature's |
| the chagrin of the commercial fishermen. They | | | | course. |