I LOVE the sea lions that show up every year in Fanny Bay, on Vancouver Island, where I live. Each year I take time to photograph them, and the images of course, are never the same.
This year I have been concerned, as I have seen far fewer numbers of sea lions than any previous year, and they have been much quieter. Usually they bark 24/7 and although it drives many of the neighbours crazy, and people complain about the noise and how much fish they consume, my thought is, that they were here first, before humans moved in, and I simply feel fortunate to witness wildlife so close to home, on a daily basis.
Today, I am thrilled that there seem to be more and more sea lions arriving each day (as well as more people driving to view them). This means to me (I hope), that the herring run may be arriving any day soon. I’m seeing more and more eagles, great blue heron, and yes, sea lions. They all seem to show up first, before the fish, before the herring run, which is one of my most exciting days of the year, as a photographer.
Our bald eagles in the Comox Valley (according to news reports) are starving to death, and I do believe this to be true. I hope that the herring show up soon, so that all the birds, eagles, sea lions and wildlife can have full bellies, so that all of the species survive and thrive.
So next time you hear someone complain about the noise from the sea lions, and how much fish they eat, please don’t blame the sea lions. It’s not their fault they have no food, it’s humans who have done the damage. (Bald eagles and sea lions and seals are supposed to eat fish.) We are so fortunate that they choose Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands as home, at least part-time.
So, here’s a few photos I captured today on my way home. These sea lions are just minutes from my home. Lucky me!
~ Brenda Johima ~
Copyright 2011 Brenda Johima
