Marty’s photo of the day #5164: I just love the far northern, Port Hardy, region of Vancouver Island! I’ve explored all seven continents, and this is the best area for birds I’ve seen. One reason is because the tides here are so extreme. Some bays go from ten feet deep to hundreds of acres of […]
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Month: September 2026
Humpbacks Off Vancouver Island
Marty’s photo of the day #5163: Two days ago, Deb and I watched at least ten humpback whales in the Johnstone Strait (off the coast of far northern Vancouver Island). Not all humpback whales flash their tails, so when they do, it’s always exciting. For a size comparison, look closely under the tail on the […]
Spyhopping Orca Whale
Marty’s photo of the day #5162: Yesterday was a stunning day on Vancouver Island! Deb and I spent the afternoon on a boat, watching and photographing dozens of orca whales, at least ten humpback whales, plus sea lions, sea otters, eagles, and a variety of other animals. This was our first time seeing orcas in […]
Golden Eagle vs. Ravens
Marty’s photo of the day #5161: The last time Deb, Nellie, and I visited Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island, the many raptors cruising the tidal plain were the highlight of our stay. This time they are even better. Yesterday, I photographed a pair of bald eagles and this golden eagle holding […]
Nellie and the Yellowjackets
Nellie is chilling after a hard day. She got attacked by a swarm of yellowjackets, twice! Today Deb, Nellie, and I scouted the gravel roads at the top of Vancouver Island, looking for possible tent camping sites. The gravel roads there become intimidating quickly, as they pass through dense temperate rainforest, branch off here and […]
Vancouver Island Black Bears
Marty’s photo of the day #5160: Vancouver Island has one of the highest concentrations of black bears in the world. The remote gravel roads have bear poop everywhere. Here’s our first bear. He’s a big boy!
They Grow Them Large on Vancouver Island
Marty’s photo of the day #5159: Deb, Nellie, and I have reached the top of Vancouver Island (286 miles long by 62 miles wide). We just finished two nights of wilderness camping at our “secret spot” that we discovered during our previous visit (I have a hilarious story to share about our first night there […]
Harbor Seal at Sunset
Marty’s photo of the day #5158: Hello from Vancouver Island! Deb, Nellie, and I watched a spectacular sunset last night. As we stood on the shore of the Johnstone Strait, watching the water and sky turn orange, this harbor seal kept popping up. Apparently, he/she wanted to come ashore for the night exactly where we […]
Zebras in Zimbabwe
Great Blue Heron or Loch Ness Monster?
Marty’s photo of the day #5156: Today, I give you two animals-in-one. Look at the animal upright, and it’s a great blue heron. Turn your screen upside-down, and it’s the Lock Ness Monster. (Photographed in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.)
Tormentor of Dogs
Marty’s photo of the day #5155: I think squirrels are more intelligent than people give them credit for. Due to Nellie’s surgery for a second bionic leg, she has at least three more weeks of being restricted to leash walks. The devious little squirrels seem to know that and are braver than ever with their […]










