It seems as though summer has arrived already on the North Island with temperatures this last weekend as warm or warmer than they ever get to in the summertime and one cannot help but be amazed at the large numbers of Bald Eagles seen all over the island and viewed in close proximity. Yesterday 28++ could be seen feeding out in the Bay, diving low over a herring ball. This morning I observed a juvenile eagle targeting a Common Loon as it was feeding close to the Government Dock, fortunately for the loon, it skillfully dove beneath the waters surface time and again and the juvenile giving up, flew back to rest on the nearby piling. Birds of all species are busy, some are nest building while others are already sitting on their clutch of eggs. While gardening yesterday, it was heartwarming to see once again the Tree Swallows who have returned to our yard claiming their nesting box and the sound of Rufous Hummingbirds flitting back and forth among the salmon berry bushes and at the feeder was music to my ears. Great Blue Herons and Belted Kingfishers feeding out front when the tide is low is always a welcomed sight and seeing them this morning with the sun shining bright was wonderful. A Minke Whale was also reported yesterday feeding on the north side of Cormorant Island.

Spring is a beautiful time on the BC coast and in Alert Bay the days are warming up with increasing hours of sunshine and spring bulbs continue to beautify our gardens with splashes of vibrant colour. Rufous humming birds can be seen and heard feeding amongst early flowering salmon berry bushes and the trilling of robins in the early hours of the morning is inspiring and a most welcomed sound. A humpback whale was sighted yesterday passing in front of Alert Bay, heading east and early this morning a glorious full moon could be seen in front of the Bay. In celebrating Earth Day yesterday, one cannot help but feel grateful for the beauty that surrounds us if we take the time to seek its source. The link below shows a stunning video clip taken in January 2013 of the rising of a full moon and silhouttes at Mount Victoria lookout in Wellington, New Zealand. It is absolutely beautiful to watch and listen to ~ enjoy! https://vimeo.com/58385453

The orcas this morning were identified by Helena, Paul and Marie (orcalab) who viewed them from shore as they travelled east along Cormorant Island a distance from shore. They were the T18's, T19'and ? T55/T75's with a count of 9 orcas who were last observed still easting in Johnstone Strait but crossing back over the strait heading in the direction of Beaver Cove. It is a wonderful sunny day here in the Bay!

One never knows how much marine-life we miss out on seeing, simply because we are not looking out of the window at the right time. This morning as I sat by the fire inside our house I happened to glance up and "there they were" Orcas! They were spread out in two or more groups, heading east across the bay passing the Nimpkish River; there were two or more males, several females and some smaller fins, all seen from a distance away from our house through binoculars but wonderful to see, some 9 or more orcas. As I observed for resident v Biggs/transient behaviour, the orcas crossed the strait surfacing adjacent to the Government Dock in Alert Bay and then surfacing behind, almost out of my view-scape, they appeared to be forming a resting line and slowing down, possibly they are residents from the brief viewing that I was so fortunate to see a short while ago, beginning at 8.05 a.m. this morning. I contacted Paul and Helena from Orcalab who are currently in Alert Bay and they were going to head down the road to get a look as the orcas make their way along Cormorant Island shoreline. They will post their findings on their web-site later today at: www.orca-live.com

Time has passed quickly for us all living along the BC Coast and now already early spring is bursting forth with shrubs and spring bulbs budding while crocusses are in full bloom. The Enbridge Pipeline Hearings continued early in the New Year in Victoria and because I was unable to attend the hearing scheduled last August in Port Hardy, I was able to speak against the pipeline proposal at the Victoria venue in January via teleconference. Early winter brought with it sightings of two owl species: Snowy and Short Eared owls that are not usually found on Cormorant Island (Alert Bay). On October 28 I found a small Short Eared Owl lying vulnerably in the grass in poor condition and was able to send it down to the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) at Merville BC. Thanks to their dedicated care and attention this bird was given a second chance at life and was successfully released into Owl habitat at the Nanaimo River Estuary by Pat (MARS volunteer)and Jared on January 17, 2013. Much can be found on various web-sites including MARS about the problems with owls and their loss of territory and food in their natural habitat. On December 22nd, 2012, in tragic circumstances, a Great Blue Heron was rescued by Rob and Erin (from Pearse Islands) where it was found hanging by its neck having been caught up in fishing line that had been left hanging from the Government Dock in Alert Bay. This bird also travelled by car down to MARS, arriving late in the evening in the middle of a snow storm. Named "Kringle" by staff at MARS its injury turned out to be a dislocated hip. A mention here and Big Thank you to those helping in assisting the safe ride down to MARS, with only minutes to spare in preparing the birds for their 3-4 hour journey via ferry and car. The 'next' ferry was the best ferry to prevent further shock while lessening the pain and suffering to the birds, getting them to the help they needed as quickly as possible. Kringle was returned and released back to the beach here in Alert Bay on February 6, 2013. For information about MARS Society: www.wingtips.org/ There have been numerous reports and sightings of Transient/Biggs Orcas throughout the winter months and recent days and weeks and Northern Residents with A5's in recent days and weeks. Follow them at: www.orca-live.net/community/index.html Humpback Whales have also been sighted in the area.