Orcas Enter Sailing Race

Humpbacks Return

Thu May 18th

Orca cruising just past the start line

I was sailing last Sunday after a break of two weeks and it felt as though summer had arrived.  We had good wind and a warm 30c, though a windproof jacket was still required.  In the previous race, we were in winter wet weather gear.  My brain-related knee injury, which had prevented my appearance for the last two weeks, is on the mend and it has reminded me that I should engage the grey matter before doing anything so stupid in future.  Bruised bones rather than anything more serious.  For those that missed the last blog, I'd jumped off the back of a stationary pick-up truck.  Doh!

As well as good sailing weather we enjoyed watching a pod of Orca put in an appearance as we motored out to the start line.  They were heading out to the Salish Sea from West Howe Sound through the Shoal Channel which runs between Keats Island and The Bluff, a large outcrop that sits above Gibsons Marina.   

The video above is once they got out to the main body of water.  Another video below shows them swimming out through the Shoal Channel.  Even long-standing residents marvel at these sightings, I'm just like a kid in a sweetshop. 

Not our boat - but our Sunday challenge

We got off to a good start in the race but lost time when we managed to get the spinnaker wrapped around the forestay which also has the rolled genoa (big foresail).  I was working the foredeck with another crew member.  It took time to unravel.  Handling a spinnaker can be a bit tricky as it has a huge sail area.  We had started to gybe the boat, moving the sails across to the other side, but with the wind going behind the boat rather than tacking where wind passes across the bow of the boat.  A spinnaker pole which is fixed to the mast and holds the spinnaker out on the leeward side of the boat has to be moved over to the other side.  While this is done the spinnaker flies freely like a giant kite with just two ropes (sheets) holding the two bottom corners of the triangular sail.  A brief gusty change in wind direction, delay in getting the spinnaker pole attached, poor sheet (kite flying) control in the cockpit and boat position all contributed.  After starting second over the line we ended up fifth, after adjusted time.  One of life's learning opportunities.  As we readied to head back into the marina, the engine would not start and we had to be ignominiously towed back in to a temporary berth until the problem was diagnosed.  It was later learnt that one of the three batteries had reached end of life status and has now been replaced.  

Apollo BCY0862 - Female b.2010
produced a male calf in 2018 - Nova

While on the subject of water, Humpback Whales have been spotted along our local coastline.  I'd not seen them until Wed 17th having got a tip off from friends who live along Bonniebrook Beach.  

There were at least three, perhaps as many as five spaced out over a few kilometers.  They are difficult to count as they don't all surface at the same time and were swimming backwards and forwards.  The sun was behind them making them tricky to photograph.  

During the day Humpbacks were spotted further up the Coast at Sechelt and Robert's Creek.  Wednesday evening Bonniebrook Beach had quite a crowd of onlookers.  The number of Sea Lions seems to have increased in recent weeks and during the Humpback display there were several of them snorting and barking.  One observer commented that the Herring shoals are around at the moment, which maybe what is attracting all the sea life. 

Back on land I spotted a local Raccoon driving back home one evening last week at about 20.00 hrs.  It had probably surfaced to find food.  It's the first time I'd seen one locally.  The Zorro mask and black ring on its tail make for quite distinctive markings.   Cute.

Nick, Lizzie and Seb moved to their new house this week.  Fred has been over there Seb-sitting the day prior and after the move. On their moving-in date, Tuesday, we both went over to help with the proceedings.  Seb was delighted to have Jack over for a play-day!  They were both knackered by the end of the day, Jack only getting respite when Seb had a sleep.  They get on well!

 

The promised recording of the Vivaldi concert has materialised.  It is largely an amateur chorus and orchestra aside from one of the two soloist violinists who played in the Concerto for Two Violins in A Min.  There are a few past and present music teachers amongst the group including the conductor/cellist, keyboard player and the two soprano/alto soloists.  The younger soloist, a local lass who sang Domine Deus, is just twenty.

As I finish this blog I look out across the Salish Sea with Vancouver Island hidden behind a smoke haze from the forest fires in Northern BC and Alberta.  Yes, forest fire season has returned and it is an early start to the year. 

BC Wildfires

There are currently 92 fires in Alberta and 60 in BC.  Some quite large and many out of control.  We could do with a decent breeze to disperse the smoke haze and clear the air but of course that doesn't help those fighting the fire, who definitely do not want any wind unless it is accompanied by heavy rain.

  

Alberta Wildfires

Some more Humpback and Orca images and video below.

Orca racing us out to the start line

 

Off to a good start