Campbell River Adventure Tours

09/14/2022

This weeks creature feature is the magnificent and beautiful red sea urchin!

Red sea urchins are a large species of urchin that can grow almost to the size of a basket ball! They are a deeper species of urchin, living from the lower intertidal to over 500 feet deep. Some individuals are known to live as long as 200 years.

They will eat a variety of foods but they are well known to consume large amounts of kelp. Large groups of urchins are known to create "urchin barrens" by sweeping across the sea floor, consuming all the kelp in their path.

09/10/2022

This week's creature feature is the Grizzly Bear!

Grizzly bears are distinguishable by their smaller, rounded ears and their large shoulder hump. This hump is actually a large muscle that allows the bears to tear through the ground and rotten logs in search of grubs, insects, and roots. Their diet consists of sedges and other green vegetation, insects, grubs, mammals, and salmon!

Grizzly bear cubs stay with their mother for up to three years. The cubs will nurse for this duration, but will also eat solid food early on in the case that they need to be weaned quickly. Once a mother is ready to reproduce again she will chase her cubs away. She will, however, keep her daughters close so that they are able to inherit her territory once she dies.

They hibernate, or rather enter a state torpor, in which their metabolism slows down. In this state their heartbeat slows down from 40-50 beats per minute to just 8! They do not go to the bathroom during torpor, and instead reabsorb their urine which allows them to retain their muscle mass. They typically hibernate for 4-7 months and female grizzlies will also give birth while in hibernation!

📷 Zoe

08/31/2022

Harbour seals are a common sight in our waters here, found everywhere from our marinas to kelp forests, to tidal rocks. Harbour seals spend most of their life in the water, hunting things like fish, squid, and mollusques. In order to sleep, they need to haul out on shore. This can be difficult for them because of their fused hip structure, which is built for water locomotion, not land. Often they end up sitting on rocks half submerged, and wait until the tide recedes to rest. With this in mind I believe it is important to be respectful of their haul-out locations. Sometimes people tend to be a little less thoughtful of these animals because of their abundance in our waters, even though they play a critical role in our ecosystems. When approaching haulouts, I am always watching to see if the animals are reacting to our presence. If I notice a disturbance in the animals, I keep my distance, and leave the location as quietly as possible in order not to spook them into the water. Even though it might not seem like it would affect them very much, It actually causes them to expend quite a bit more energy than necessary. When already in the water however, they can be quite curious. I took this photo of a young pup that approached our boat on a tour the other day!

📸- Quinn

08/20/2022

2 more days till our Grizzly Bear season starts! Come out and Join us at either Bute or Toba inlet. Check out our website to see which one you want to visit !
📸- Tyler

08/18/2022

Can you see the whales?

Since the beginning of the summer, we have been doing our best here to feature a new species of wildlife every week. This week however I wanted to step outside the mould a little and address a concern that we as a community have.

Whales and Boats.

It is inevitable at this time of year that if you are travelling around Campbell River in a boat - you will come across Humpback Whales. We have seen an amazing return of these giants on the coastline - particularly in the last 10 years where numbers of Humpbacks sighted every year continues to grow.

With the increased use of their traditional waterways and feeding areas it brings these whales into the path of humans and therefore boats.

While there has been an increased effort on the coastline to educate boaters - on what to be aware of, and what to look for to keep yourself and the wildlife safe - we are still seeing dangerous behaviour while out on the water.

I was inspired therefore to share this photo and challenge you to imagine yourself travelling at high speed on a sunny day on the water:

Do you know what to look for when spotting for whales?

Do you know the regulations regarding how close to these marine mammals you are allowed to be?

If you are being honest, would you notice these sleeping Humpbacks and be able to safely navigate around them?

Did you know that assuming whales will move for boats is a dangerous assumption?

If you answered ‘NO’ to any of the above questions - consider looking into further education before your next boat trip out.

Follow the links below to get informed:

https://www.mersociety.org/seeablowgoslow

https://www.mersociety.org/boatblue

Remember we want you and the whales to be safe out there!

Photo: Kaitlin Paquette (Naturalist)

Taken with a telephoto lens and NOT cropped.

08/10/2022

It's time for another weekly creature feature! This week we would like to introduce you to Lewis's Moonsnail, Neverita lewisii.

This is the largest species of moonsnail, measuring up to 14 cm for the shell alone! This subtidal predator loves to eat bivalves like clams. It consumes these animals by drilling a hole through a specific part of the shell, which causes the clam to open, exposing its soft body to be eaten.

📸: Holly

08/03/2022

Presenting this weeks Creature Feature: The Plainfin Midshipman (Porichthys notatus)!

This toad-like fish ranges from Alaska down to Mexico. They spend the winter months deep in the ocean and will migrate to the intertidal zone during their summer breeding season.

They have light-emitting photophores along their heads, bellies, and sides that are used to attract both prey and mates during the breeding season. These photophores look like buttons on a naval uniform, hence earning them the name "midshipman."

Plainfin Midshipman have gills that allow them to breath in and out of the water. Having evolved to withstand the extreme conditions of the intertidal zone, these fish can survive up to eight hours on land.

The best yet? Certain males have the ability to "sing" to attract potential mates during mating season. This loud droning hum can even be heard from land by the human ear and sounds similar to a swarm of bees. Only certain males, called Type I, can emit this hum. Type II males, also called "sneakers," will lie in wait for a female to lay her eggs in a Type I males' nest, and will then swoop in to fertilize her eggs before the singing male notices.

Comment below if you have ever heard the Plainfin Midshipman sing at night!

📷 Zoe Hasenfratz

07/28/2022

Today's Creature Feature is brought to you by one of our guides: Quinn.

Respect for wildlife is very important to me. I am privileged to be able to spend the time that I do with the amazing wildlife of our coast. This photo is of a humpback breach, a behaviour not always seen regularly. Sometimes we tend to forget that we cannot expect certain behaviour from wildlife. Often many experiences require patience and luck, this makes these experiences all the more valuable. Here in BC we have some of the most ethical whale viewing guidelines in the world. We believe that not only are these guidelines important for the safety and health of the whales, but also to maintain their natural behaviour in the wild, allowing for the greatest viewing experiences. All my wildlife photography is done with a telephoto lens, which allows me to get a close up perspective with the wildlife.

📸

07/21/2022

Greetings fellow animal enthusiasts - for this week’s Wildlife Wednesday our ‘Creature Feature’ spotlight sets its focus to the Dall’s Porpoise. With their striking black and white colouration and robust build Dall’s are often mistaken for ‘baby Killer Whales’. The easiest way to know which species you're viewing is by their dorsal. Killer Whales, being a member of the dolphin family, have large curved dorsals that are all black - while Dall’s Porpoise have short triangle shaped dorsals and have a white tip on the top.

The Dall’s Porpoise is the biggest of all the porpoise species - they are known for being more outgoing than the Harbour Porpoise. While they do not tend to be acrobatic like dolphins they are known for swimming at high speeds and ‘porpoising’ (this is the term for when an animal swimming at high speeds breaks the surface of the water with their whole body) out of the water as they go.

Dall’s porpoises can travel at speeds up to 55 km/hour and generate a unique water spray behind them called the ‘rooster tail’.

This species of porpoise is found in the cold waters of the North Pacific. Here it shares territory with the Harbour Porpoise and it is not uncommon for there to be hybrid porpoises resulting from the interactions of the two species.

While it is possible for the Dall’s Porpoise to be albino (solid white) or melanistic (solid black) this is considered extremely rare.

The Dall’s Porpoise is considered an opportunistic feeder and overall have a wide range of food in their diet. For example: herring, hake, octopus, sometimes crabs or shrimp. It is believed that they do tend to prefer softer bodied food such as squid and lanternfish.

Researchers believe they have the ability to dive to great depths but as of now there have been no studies focused on this question.

📸 Kaitlin

07/13/2022

The *ahem* star of this week's creature feature is none other than Dermasterias imbricata, the Leather Star. 🤩🤩🤩

This sea star has a unique trick up it's metaphorical sleeve. When stressed, they produce a garlic-like odour, which has given them the nickname "garlic star." They can also occasionally be found with extra arms, beyond the typical five, which is uncommon for five-armed species of sea stars.

Does any one know why the Leather Star in the tide pool in the bottom left photo looks like it has a different texture to the other photos in this post? Leave a comment if you have any guesses!

But don't stop here! This weeks creature feature includes a bonus featured creature! Check out the rest of the photos for the second star of this week.

The second creature this week is the Red Commensal Scale Worm. This is the red worm shown on the underside of the star. As it's name suggests, this species is commensal to the Leather Star, which is a type of symbiosis where the worm gains benefits from the star but has no positive or negative impact on the star. It is thought that commensal scale worms ride on hosts, catching bits of detritus from around the tube feet.

📸: Holly

07/06/2022

In this week's Creature Feature: the Monterey Sea Lemon (Doris montereyensis)!

The Monterey Sea Lemon can be found in the subtidal and intertidal areas on coastlines from Alaska to California. Unlike lemons, the sea lemon is not edible, and its bright colouring warns predators of its poisonous nature. They feed on Sea Sponges, which give them their yellow appearance, and can vary from pale yellow to darker yellow individuals such as this one. Their spots differ from Nudi to Nudi, and their "ears" are actually chemosensory organs called rhinophores that they use to smell and taste chemical signals in the surrounding waters. Their "tail" isn’t a tail at all, but rather a feathery bundle of gills!

Sea Lemons are hermaphrodites (possess both male and female reproductive organs) and lay their eggs in delicate white spirals that can contain up to 2 million eggs!

Next time you go beach combing at low tide, keep your eyes peeled for Sea Lemons and other Nudibranch species in the shallow water.

📸 Zoe Hasenfratz

07/04/2022

Jumpy Humpy! What a treat to see 🐳 There are a variety of theorized reasons why Humpback Whales breach like this, we sure love it when they do. This day was a very special treat as they are more often resting on the surface when we see them.

📸 Zoe

07/01/2022

See you tonight 🎇🍁🎇🎉

🎆🍁 There's still time to join us on the water for the Canada Day fireworks 🍁🎆 Departing at 9:00 pm, enjoy an evening watching the fireworks from the discovery passage!
✨ Call us to book your seat 250-287-2667!
Only $40 per person (plus fees and taxes) 🎇
*Check in is 30 min prior to departure.

06/29/2022

The Sea Otter,
Sea otters are a keystone species here in BC. They are considered the keepers of the kelp forests. They feed on urchins, crabs, and other sea life that feed on kelp. This allows more kelp to grow.

Unfortunately they have not returned quite yet to the inside of Vancouver Island. By 1930 all sea otters in BC had been shot and skinned for their fur. They have one of the most dense furs in the world. Anywhere from 26,000 to 165,000 hairs per cm².

In 1972 the sea otters were reintroduced onto the west coast of Vancouver Island and by 1979 about 89 sea otters had been brought to the coast. This reintroduction was very successful. The estimated population around Vancouver island sits around 2000 at this time. There is a long way to go however. This species is vital for the rejuvenation of the kelp forests along the inside passage of Vancouver Island. In many places you can see beaches overrun with urchins.

I am hopeful that the sea otters will repopulate into our waters here. There are usually one or two a year seen around the discovery islands. With them I am sure we would see a massive change in our kelp forests allowing for more habitat for wildlife, especially salmon, another vital keystone species.

📸- Quinn

06/28/2022

We are incredibly lucky to live in an area so rich in biodiversity! Strong tidal currents enrich the waters and create seasonal feasts for wildlife. Come see for yourself! Book your tour today 🦅

📸 Robin Pears

06/26/2022

🎇Don't miss your chance! Call the office to book your seat 🍁
☎ 250-287-2667

🎆🍁 Join us on the water for a Canada Day Celebration 🍁🎆 Departing at 9:00 pm, enjoy an evening watching the fireworks from the discovery passage!
✨ Call us to book your seat 250-287-2667!
Only $40 per person (plus fees and taxes) 🎇
*check in is 30 min prior to departure

06/22/2022

This weeks creature feature is the North American River Otter!🦦🦦

Come down to our dock and you may catch a glimpse of our local river otter hanging around our boats.

A cool fact about them is that they are part of the Mutelidae family! That includes the Badgers, Wolverines, minks and many more.

The River Otter is a resilient species. In the early 1800s they were close to extinction due to the high demand of their fur. Today, with more awareness and efforts in conservation, they have now became a steady population here on the west coast!

📸Quinn

06/21/2022

Happy summer solstice from the moody Pacific Northwest! This weekend is looking like it will be beautiful 🌞🌞🌞

📸 Robin Pears

06/16/2022

It’s a bird, it’s a unicorn, it glows?

Meet the Rhinoceros Auklet, the little seabird that lives big. While not related at all to the large African dwelling mammal that inspired the name - this bird does in fact grow its own horn.

The fun facts don't stop there:

1. Move over Movember because the Rhinoceros Auklet has you beat - during mating season in addition to their signature horn these birds also strut their stuff with white tufted plumage off the sides of their face (think Mr. Monopoly).

2. Like their closest relative the puffin - Rhino Auklets are capable of catching many fish at once. Thanks to unique spikes that are found at the back of their upper jaw.

3. Aliases include Unicorn Puffin, and Horn billed Puffin.

4. Glow in the dark? -Rhinoceros Auklets are capable of seeing UltraViolet light. It turns out that while their horns appear gray in colour to the human eye they are actually fluorescent. This was a recent scientific discovery (2019) - it has led researchers to
suggest that this ‘glowing’ horn may help the Auklets see each other at night when they are hunting/travelling through their colonies.

5. Late night delivery anyone? Rhino Auklets have developed a method of feeding that involves bringing food to their colony at night. This is believed to be a way of keeping gulls and other creatures from stealing their food.

6. Despite weighing around 1 pound they are capable of digging 20 feet into the ground to build their burrows.

7. The oldest known Rhinoceros Auklet in the wild reached the ripe old age of 28.

The photo included is of a Rhinoceros Auklet seen out on tour in May. This is a mature individual that is not yet rocking its breeding plumage.

Stay tuned for more creature features - and don’t forget - NEVER STOP EXPLORING!

📸 Kaitlin

06/14/2022

Follow the tide as it rushes between the Discovery Islands on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Here the water surges on its journey inland producing some of the worlds fastest tidal waters.

First Ocean Rapids tour of the year on Wednesday June 15!!

https://campbellriverwhalewatching.com/tours/ocean-rapids/

06/12/2022

Did you hear!? Wildcoast has a sale on their remaining tours of the season! Book now and receive 10% Orca Camp and 20% off any remaining expedition tours. Don't miss your opportunity to go on a trip of a lifetime.

📸 Guide Robin Pears

06/08/2022

Is that a strange red rock? No, it's this week's Creature Feature!

This delightful species is called a Giant Pacific Chiton, a Gumboot Chiton or a Wandering Meatloaf. These are the largest species of Chiton in the world!

Chitons like this one are molluscs, meaning they are related to snails and sea slugs as well as clams, mussels, squid and octopus. 🐚🐙🦑

If you catch yourself wondering if this wandering meatloaf is edible, the answer is yes! They absolutely are edible and are a traditional food source for many First Nations communities all across the BC coast.

06/07/2022

Tomorrow, one of our naturalist's will be bringing you another brand new creature feature to start your day. Any guesses on what it will be!?

There are a few spaces left on tomorrow morning's 4 hour whale and wildlife zodiac tour - call the office to book your spot!

📞250-287-2667

06/05/2022

Did you know Grizzly Bears and Black Bears have five toes, where Cougars and Wolves only have four 🐻😻🐺

Pictured here are some Grizzly Bear tracks seen in the beautiful Toba River Valley. Does anyone know how to tell the difference between Grizzly Bear tracks and Black Bear tracks?

We're taking reservations for this season's grizzly bear tours. Book your spot today!

https://campbellriverwhalewatching.com/tours/grizzly-tour-menu/

📸 Wilderness International -Erik van de Perre

06/02/2022

This week's Creature Feature is the Giant Pacific Octopus 🐙 and is brought to you by Zoe, one of our naturalists and desk agents.

Named the Giant Pacific Octopus due to its title of largest octopus species, this beauty can measure up to approximately 16 feet in length when fully grown and weigh around 44 pounds. The largest one ever recorded measured a total of 30 feet across and weighed 600 pounds!

The octopus primarily feeds on fish, crabs, clams, shrimp, and they have even been known to eat small sharks. They use a beak-like feature to help them puncture and consume their prey.

The octopus is extremely intelligent with incredible dexterity. They possess nine individual brains; a central brain designed to communicate with their nervous system, and 8 small brains located in each of their tentacles to control movement! They also have three hearts, two of which pump blood to their gills while the third supplies blood to the rest of their body.

The female octopus lays up to 74,000 eggs, and looks after them with the utmost care, rarely leaving her nest throughout the brooding period. This, unfortunately, causes her to die shortly afterwards due to what is known as self-cannibalization; in which she feeds off of her own fats and proteins until she ultimately consumes herself.

Octopuses use special pigment cells, known as chromatophores, to change their pattern and colouring in order to camouflage into their surrounding environment. You can see how the octopus in the video uses this feature to turn a mottled white!

Have you had an unforgettable encounter with an octopus? We would love to hear your stories in the comments below!

06/01/2022

We need the Minister of Fisheries to take action to protect wild salmon from factory fish farms! Joyce Murray, the factory fish farm licenses that are up for renewal on June 30 and keep your government's promise to transition AWAY from open net-pen salmon farms.

https://watershedwatch.ca/june-22-do-not-renew/

05/31/2022

British Columbia’s big backyard inspires introspective personal journeys and unbridled adventures. Now it is the time to get
out and travel BC!

05/25/2022

Creature Feature: 🐻

Today on things you didn't ask to see: a giant tapeworm hanging out of a Grizzly bear's backside.

Grizzly bears often become infected by tapeworms, it is a downside to all of the salmon they feast on in the Fall. The tapeworm will not kill the bear, but it will steal enough nutrition to make packing on enough fat for winter hibernation difficult.

This is where sedge grasses play an important role in the grizzly bear diet. Not only is this fibrous, spiky plant full of protein, but it also aids in the passing of the tapeworms!

Still reading? Come back every Wednesday for a new creature feature written by our knowledgeable guides and naturalists!!

📸 Robin Pears

05/24/2022

Join us as we tour the Comox Valley and visit two wineries, plus one distillery. Discover locally grown products, while we tour various properties and learn about the the process of creating wine and spirits.

Whats Included:

Lunch
Tastings at 2 wineries
Tasting at 1 distillery
Transportation in our 15 passenger Ford Transit Van

Price: $109 per person plus fees and taxes!!

https://campbellriverwhalewatching.com/campbell-river-adventure-tours/winery-distillery/

05/24/2022

Dreaming of kayaking AND whale watching? Combine two amazing experiences and spend your day with us on our full day kayaking with whales tour!

Spend half the day whale watching from our covered vessel and half the day kayaking in remote waters, normally beyond the reach of a single day tour.

Availability this Saturday!

📞 250.287.2667

https://campbellriverwhalewatching.com/tours/kayaking/