B.C. - Lund, Sunshine Coast

We woke today to gray skies and some liquid sunshine. We didn't have big plans, just a drive up the coast and maybe a hike. We put the hike idea on hold, not wanting to deal with slippery rocks and muddy boots.

Just north of Powell River is the Tla'amin Reserve. We pulled in at their salmon hatchery and as there was a school group in at the same time, were able to learn a bit more about the process.

 

The eggs are collected, hatched and fed to 3gram size, in round tanks and long cement tanks, before being released. 3 different kinds of salmon.

The adjoining river was teaming with them. We talked to one of the staff members who told us that a bear had been seen on their security camera this morning. He just waded in and helped himself.

Eating them whole at first and then as his hunger eased he would just eat the skin and the head, which have the most nutrients. Leaving the rest of the fish in the water or on the bank for the birds to finish off. We saw some of his leftovers, lying around.

I have a tendency, with no concrete destination or timeline, to just take random roads on a whim (Nicola will attest to this). This little harbour, Okeover Inlet, was a result of one of those whims.

An area primarily for working boats. There was also an oyster farm.

The previous day we had looked for local seafood at the grocery store but ended up having to buy Atlantic salmon - expensive but delicious, done on the BBQ with potatoes, onions and zucchini in garlic butter.

Lund is as far north as the Hwy goes. From here, going south it follows the west coast of Canada, then as Hwy 1, the west coast of the U.S.and down all the way to Argentina.

When ever we have mentioned visiting Lund we have been told to go to Nancy's bakery. Aside from a hotel, it is pretty well the only thing there.

It did not disappoint. Rick had a slice of pizza and we split a blueberry cinnamon roll (I ate most of it, in truth). We came home with a couple of cranberry orange scones.

Above is Pollen sweaters.

They are made locally from a wool (from Australia, via Germany) that is not itchy. They did feel lovely and soft.

We tried to walk off our lunch

around the harbour

and out on to the docks.

This Harbour Seal was in close.

Others were 

out beyond the breakwall. I went back to the car to get the binoculars

getting a shot of a Kingfisher while I was at it.

As I got back Rick turned to me and said "You shouldn't have gone" as he had seen whales, maybe 4 of them. He said they hadn't really broken the surface but he could see the bulk of them in the water. These are what he managed to get on the camera.

 

Not unequivocally whales but our most likely sighting so far.