Victoria British Columbia Evening October 15, 2026

A little while before sunset, I headed out for a stroll around the Inner Harbour.  It was still very warm with a slight breeze. The lighting was gorgeous and was a photograph’s dream. Many people were out and about admiring the sights.  The Pickle Boats are bedded down for the night. 

 everything was glowing golden

even this Golden-crowned Sparrow was looking extra golden

a metal cutout of an Oak Tree leaf 

they were just rowing out so would be returning in the dark

Parliament Building

moon over the Parliament Building

The Empress

 

Victoria British Columbia October 15, 2026

Oh the distractions on the way to another Whale Watching adventure!

This time I picked a different company to go Whale Watching with.  We would be heading to the same area as we did on Tuesday but today the weather was forecasted to be great to see scenery near and far.  The boat was not a zodiac yet it was not large.  I really wanted to see the Salish Sea scenery more so than even seeing whales.

view as we left Victoria behind

Aahhh scenery!  Mount Baker!

This was already becoming wildly wonderful!  Being close to the water, feeling the spray, seeing scenery and this sail boat, I was loving every second.

Loving every second…my hair just happened to create an “L” the second the photo was taken!

view towards the Olympic Mountains in Washington

Washington was to our left and British Columbia to our right!

It was now that we began to see the Orca Whales.  I watched the whales more than I tried to capture images. The water was not calm, it took effort to stay balanced and still.  There was not the opportunity to move around much.  These are three of the many photos I took.  I also included three photos from a selection provided to us by the Naturalist/Photographer on board.

As we headed towards the Race Rock Eco Reserve, I got back into admiring the scenery,

Arriving at the Race Rock Eco Reserve

just a few of the hundreds of Sea Lions

a view looking back with the Olympic Mountains in the background

Mount Baker, a Cargo Ship, a Sightseeing Zodiac

We arrived back to the dock under a blue sky with the sun beating down. The load of layers I had on were now not necessary.  After a quick delayer, I headed back to my home away from home all the while not being distracted at all, I was reliving that wildly wonderful adventure and permanently planting memories!

Where we went!

Victoria British Columbia Dallas Road October 14, 2026

 

This was my view as I arrived at the walkway along Dallas Road.  

The easterly direction was calling me.  

This was the view looking back from where I came. 

looking back again from further along the walkway 

Oh my goodness! As it was mid day with lots of people around, I moved along slowly with hopes I might spot a sleeping Owl.  No luck!

Western Meadowlark

Black-bellied Plover

at Mile Zero of the Trans Canada Trail

Just below the above sign were three Sea Otters.  You can see two of them here. They were quite entertaining so I watched for a while.  They spent time swatting each other, grooming each other, climbing over top of each other.  They didn’t stay still for very long but did when I snapped this shot.  Something caught their attention.  

White-crowned Sparrow

another White-crowned Sparrow

male Harlequin Duck

view along the way 

After plenty of time well spent at Beacon Hill Park and along Dallas Road, it was time for other sorts of savouring.  A perfect spot on a patio paired nicely with this lager beverage. Fish and Chips were the icing on the cake. I lingered long here, I was not in a rush and I was not being rushed.  Eventually though, time came to move on.

On those distractions!  I enjoyed them!

So, of course I went shopping!  

I have so much to still learn!  

What I call “flitting about” I just learned is called “bop around”!