(Yes, I know, five bears and I lead with a picture of a duck, but isn’t that a cool duck??)
This morning we woke to bright sun and blue sky, again. Lovely. We were the only boats in here now, so after breakfast, Kevin took the Mavic Mini* up for a few aerial photos.
Turnagain and Airship rafted at Khutze InletTurnagain andAirship rafted, and Sound Waves anchored at Khutze InletAerial of the exposed shoal at the edge of our anchorageAnchored in Khutze Inlet with a good view of the shoalLooking toward the estuary, Khutze InletLooking toward the estuary, Khutze InletTurnagain and Airship rafted, Sound Waves anchored
Today was all about looking for bears! High tide was around 2pm, and at noon we had about a 10ft tide, so we slowly motored out to see what we could see, with lots of time on a rising tide.
Dave, DeAnne, and Bodhi loading up in their dinghyRon and Jean on Sound Waves getting ready to head out
Right off the bat we found some great looking harlequin ducks!
And of course there were plenty of seals (but no pictures).
Heading up the north arm first…the Khutze RiverWe got just around this sand bar to some much shallower and faster moving water and turned around.Dinghies heading back outGreat looking root-monster emerging from the woods!
No bears on the north arm, so next we headed over to the south arm of the estuary:
We found a short cut through the two sides that we used last year, then headed up the south armSuch a beautiful day for this!
We pretty quickly spotted the top of a head through the grass, though we never did get a very good look at the whole bear. Good to remember how well they can disappear in this tall grass!
Carrie got this shot of our dinghy with me standing on the bow seat to spot bears in the tall grass.
A little further up the river, and this young one spotted or smelled us right as we spotted it:
We watched for a few minutes until this one wandered up into the woods, and then we continued on a little further.
Bodhi also on the lookout for bears.
We were about to turn around when we noticed this big brownie in the shade (always good to keep an eye on the shady side…much harder to see when it’s sunny out!):
Looks like this one had been in a scrap or two!
We watched the shade bear for a few minutes.
L to R: Carrie and Tony from IF, Dave, DeAnne and Bodhi from Turnagain, and Ron and Jean from Sound WavesRalph and Jeanette from Kali watching the shady bearNice shot from Carrie of Jean and Ron heading out of the estuary.
We headed back to our boats for some more relaxing and enjoying the weather, and then gathered for happy hour on Sound Waves.
Happy hour on Sound Waves. (Kevin and Jeanette “hiding” behind me.) Thanks for the photo, DeAnne!
During happy hour from the top deck, Carrie spotted an orca, and we eventually saw several, from a distance. Ralph and Jeanette took their dinghy out to find them on their way back to Kali, and saw three of them (also from a distance, but cool!!)
Here are a couple photos I took with my iPhone. They’re terrible, but they’re “photos or it didn’t happen” photos:
A great day! Tomorrow, we’ll have a longer cruise up (55nm) to Lowe Inlet! Making miles north!
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*NOTE : For those wondering about the legality of drone flying here, the Mavic Mini weighs 249 grams, classifying it as a “microdrone.”
According to Canadian drone regulations:
Microdrones are drones weighing less than 250 g. The weight of the remote control is not factored in to the weight calculation, but the weight of anything attached or carried, such as optional cameras or safety cages, will be considered part of the weight.
Pilots of microdrones don’t need to register their drone or get a drone pilot certificate to fly them. Pilots of microdrones are not bound by the same requirements as other drones. However, you must not operate your drone in a reckless or negligent manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger aviation safety or the safety of anyone.
As a pilot of a microdrone, you have a responsibility to use good judgment, identify potential hazards, and take all necessary steps to avoid any risks associated with flying your drone.
Also, In Khutze Inlet, they ask for drones not to be flown over the estuaries, to avoid disturbing the bears.
