Friday, July 8, 2011

Dixie Cove’s Sleeping Sea Otter

By Nicole

Sea otters are a common sight up and down the west coast of Vancouver Island.  They’re easy to spot, as they float along on their backs with their heads and feet sticking out of the water.  We never get tired of watching them munch on shellfish snacks, using their tummies as tables.

A certain sea otter in Dixie Cove managed to take the “cutest critter” prize, although Aaron thought maybe it was dead.  As we drifted over to it in the dinghy, we heard the unmistakable sound of snoring.  The otter wasn’t dead, it was sleeping!  And sawing little sea otter logs.  Her paws were tucked up under her chin, her eyes were closed and she was just snoozing away, oblivious to us and our dinghy.  It was quite honestly one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.  Of course our giggling woke her up, but at least we got a picture first.

IMG_1489Sleeping sea otter

Later that afternoon, s/v Osprey rowed over with some freshly baked blueberry muffins and an invitation to hike to the top of the ridge above the anchorage.  We’re in!

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Hubert rowing us to shore to begin our trek

With Hubert blazing the trail (this wasn’t a hike but a full-on bushwack through the woods and underbrush), we made it to the top.  Phew!  And what a view of the anchorage and mountains below…

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Mighty trailblazers!

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You can just make out Bella Star through the trees and Osprey off in the distance.

Dixie Cove was a lovely spot, but I still can’t get “Dixie Land” out of my head.  Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land.

You’re welcome.

2 comments:

  1. Hugh (Markdale, ON, Can)July 11, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    You are to be congratulated on your photographic skills - I venture on a par with your sailing skills. I have thoroughly enjoyed following your adventures along the northern coastline of BC and in particular the magnificent photos (can you disclose the camera you use?).

    Earlier today I posted a comment about your anchorage at Laura Cove (Desolation Sound) having just finished reading a book about that area called "Adventures in Solitude" by Grant Lawrence, and looking on the internet for photos, I was thrilled to find your excellent record.

    Wishing you better weather (no more rain) ..... bon voyage!

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  2. Hello, Hugh! Thanks so much for your kind words -- and for following along with our journey. It's always fun to know that someone's out there. :)

    The majority of our pictures are taken with a Canon PowerShot SD750 -- nothing fancy (I just like that it fits in my pocket!). Aaron does break out our digital SLR on occasion though. It's a Nikon D40.

    Hope you're getting summer-like weather in Ontario -- we're still waiting for summer to start in BC! Maybe next week. :)

    -Nicole

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