Distilling the Proper Essence of Potato

Approaching Halloween in La Paz, Mexico

Happy Halloween and Dia de los Muertos!

O' Canada....

Now that Josh and I have made it to Mexico (as of 3.5 weeks ago), it seemed appropriate to finally update the blog with, (of all things), photos of our trip through the Inside Passage on the Ursa Major in September. More specifically, all of the following photos were taken on a sunny day in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.


This totem, located next to the Prince Rupert courthouse, is called "Eagle on Decayed Pole". It is the fourth version of the original "nishga" totem pole and was carved in 1978, depicting figures related to the migration of the Eagle people from the north.


This petroglyph is located next a Tsimshian (First Nations) longhouse in Prince Rupert.


A second totem pole located near the Tsimshian (First Nations) longhouse in Prince Rupert.



The above two photos of Kazu Maru memorial in the Pacific Mariner's Memorial Park are in rememberance of a Japanese fisherman lost at sea. According to a sign posted next to the vessel, "Kazukio Sakamoto left Owase, Japan, for a day of fishing aboard his boat, the Kazu Maru, and never returned. 18 months later the Kazu Maru was found empty and adrift off Queen Charlotte Islands and was brought to Prince Rupert where it was discovered to have come from Prince Rupert's sister city, Owase, Japan. The people of Prince Rupert have restored the boat and put it on display as a tribute to all those who have been lost at sea in the Pacific."


An interesting vessel docked near the Ursa Major in Prince Rupert. I found the style of the vessel similar to the Japanese memorial boat and the colors unique.

Hey Whale

Whales,

Very interesting to start noticing trends in wildlife behavior. This is year 11, how much observation in that time. I suppose, if so motivated this would make some kind of advanced degree, but I just enjoy the watching. The whales are grouped in Frederick sound. Working close together but not organized they seem to be diving deep to feed. We have an exceptional tidal cycle coming up that should concentrate the herring schools and thus the whales should start cooperative feeding.

Lot's of herring this year. Noticing bait balls along the headlands and in the shallows. I'm not sure if this is atypical or if I'm just noticing more since the work we did with National Geographic videographers.

We just wanted to add something new, enjoy the photo

A Whale-tastic Adventure

Our last charter in the Sea of Cortez this spring was not a charter in the usual sense. The M/V Ursa Major was used as the mothership for a documentary film crew for two weeks in April.


The subjects of interest were sperm whales and Humboldt squids. During the day, we followed and tagged sperm whales utilizing suction cup tags. At night, we chummed the waters for the elusive Humboldt squid with both bait and large sodium lights.

We spent the majority of the trip near Isla San Pedro Marttir, (above), which is located in the north-central Sea of Cortez. This unique island is home to many bird species and California sea lions.

The following photos are a small sample of the species we saw on our trip. Enjoy!

SPERM WHALES

FIN WHALES

PILOT WHALES

BLUE WHALES










COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS

S/V Estrella Goes For A Ride

Before we left for our last charter in the Sea of Cortez, Josh and I had our beloved S/V Estrella hauled out of the water in La Paz. We will be leaving her out of the water on the hard until we return to La Paz in the fall.


The approach to the travel lift for the haulout. We only had a short drive between the dock and the travel lift but the haulout took longer then expected because we had to locate and/or wake up all the yard workers.


The yard workers are here visible preparing the straps for the travel lift. The straps were lowered into the water and we drove S/V Estrella into the cradle created by the lowered straps.


Once the straps were properly positioned as to not catch on the rudder or damage the propeller, S/V Estrella was lifted straight out of the water until the keel cleared. Then the entire travel lift moved down to the haulout yard.


The four wheels of the travel lift moved independently, which allowed for sharp turns around sometimes awkward corners. Here the travel lift is seen making a wide right turn into the haulout yard.


Upon being lifted out of the water, it was great to see our bottom paint had prevented all but the most tenacious bottom growth from sticking. A ten minute pressure wash took care of any residual bottom growth.


The yard workers brought out their brand new tractor to move any objects in the way of the travel lift. Mostly though, I think they enjoyed riding around in the tractor.


Nothing like taking your boat for a walk.

Whale Shark Fun

The whales sharks returned to the Bay of La Paz in March. Josh and I wasted no time in going out to visit them.



The largest whale shark we found was approximately thirty feet in length. We both jumped in for a snorkel and found that this gentle giant was followed by his own school of fish. Part of the school is visible in the above photo as the light area below the tail of the whale shark.