This field trip in November 2024 was such a fun day, with the spectacle of the sea lions, an amazingly perfect rainbow arching over the bay, an intriguing fishing vessel, and a beautifully decorated village.
Bear Warning! Shutter Bear just had to jump into one of my pictures. Can you find them?
Cowichan Bay Estuary
Early on this crisp November morning, we drove up-island from Victoria, enjoying the beautiful views of the Saanich Inlet along the Malahat Highway. Bundled in winter coats, mittens, and gloves, we met on a dock near the centre of Cowichan Bay Village.
Cowichan Bay is one of several estuaries along Canada’s west coast where male sea lions gather each year to feast on the returning salmon. The salmon linger in the bay, waiting for increased river flows before swimming upstream to spawn. While they wait, they become easy prey for the sea lions. I learned that a single sea lion can eat up to 16 kilograms of fish daily. But eating isn’t the only thing they’re good at. They also have a talent for causing trouble.
Sea Lions Can Sink Boats
There were no incidents that day, but according to some articles, the visiting sea lions not only climb on docks but also on boats, which can sink under their weight. Considering their huge appetite and strength, it’s no surprise that not everyone welcomes their yearly visit. Watching these wild animals behave so comfortably on the weathered wooden docks between lines of ropes and the gleaming metal fixtures of the boats served as a vivid reminder of the delicate balance between our human activities and their natural environment. Despite the potential chaos they can cause, the sea lions appeared remarkably calm.
Basked in Sunshine
Looking across the water to the wooden docks out in the bay, we saw heaps of entangled sea lions. They piled on top of each other and lounged lazily, soaking up the warm sun rays. There was a multitude of shapes and sizes, from very tiny and long to huge and round. Their fur colour showed the same variety, with tones from dark blacks and browns to beige and a touch of rusty red. Noses with long whiskers quivered, and their loud barks echoed across the bay.
Artistic Lounges
Their favourite sunbathing poses were a playful mix of long and flat or curved and cosy. Sometimes they struck an almost artistic form when they stretched their necks longer and longer until their noses pointed skyward and their bellies basked in the warm sunshine. In some cases, their heads arched so far back that their noses touched their backs. They often used their fins to scratch behind their ears, and I can just imagine how the salty water and drying fur created an irresistible urge to scratch.
Relaxed Yet Full of Motion
Amid the sunbathing and stretches, there was still plenty of life and energy on the docks. The sea lions barked, shuffled, and turned their heads to watch the bay and passing boats. Individuals leapt into the water or hauled themselves back onto the docks. They frequently touched noses, sniffed at their fur, and barked while baring their teeth. Seagulls nestled close, seemingly unfazed by their noisy companions. Observing the sea lions on the docks made me curious to learn more about them.
Learning More about Sea Lions
I found the following references to be good starting points for learning more about sea lions:
Did you know? Sea Lions are Pinnipeds
The word pinnipeds was new to me, and it always makes me smile. It describes a group of marine mammals that includes seals, sea lions, and walruses. The name pinniped comes from the Latin words pinna (fin) and pes (foot), meaning ‘fin-footed’.
California sea lions are smaller and darker in colour compared to Steller sea lions, and mature males have a bump on their forehead called a sagittal crest.
A Boat Named Haste
After a while, I became distracted by the crows gathering on the fishing boat HASTE, which was snuggled up to the dock right beside us. The sun shone on its fixtures, inviting a completely different set of pictures. I wandered around it, admiring its rusty colours and the interplay of light and shadows.
A Rainbow Crossing The Bay
Suddenly, a rainbow appeared, bridging the entire bay.
I liked its glowing colours and its transparency against the opposite hill, which tinted the trees and leaves.
Festive Cowichan Bay Village
We ended the visit with a stroll through Cowichan Bay Village and brought home some divine-smelling fresh bread from the local bakery. We admired the quaint houses, festive seasonal decorations, and the local stores and cafés. Cowichan Bay Village is always worth a visit, no matter the season. In the village pictures, I was playing with slightly darker colours to evoke a touch of nostalgia.
Capturing the Day
For those curious about the gear behind the photos, the wider landscape, boat and village scenes were mostly captured with a 24mm prime lens. The sea lion portraits were taken with a 100-400mm telephoto lens. Both lenses were used on a Canon R7 body.
If you’d like to see more pictures from this day, take a moment to explore the members’ gallery. A big thank you to our organizers for making the day so memorable.
You’ll find details of upcoming field trips in the calendar on the website of the Victoria Camera Club, along with contact and registration information.
You’re always welcome to join us!
Anke Weber
Assistant Editor
Close-Up Digital