Press "Enter" to skip to content

A Quest to Find Canada’s Elusive Coastal Wolf | Nat Geo Live


I’d like to start by telling you about

I’d like to start by telling you about this place this is the west coast of

this place this is the west coast of

this place this is the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia

Vancouver Island in British Columbia

Vancouver Island in British Columbia Canada and I was lucky enough to first

Canada and I was lucky enough to first

Canada and I was lucky enough to first visit this place back in 2011 and whilst

visit this place back in 2011 and whilst

visit this place back in 2011 and whilst I was there I fell in love with this

I was there I fell in love with this

I was there I fell in love with this animal she is a female

animal she is a female

animal she is a female coastal gray wolf I don’t know about you

coastal gray wolf I don’t know about you

coastal gray wolf I don’t know about you but when I think of wolves I think of

but when I think of wolves I think of

but when I think of wolves I think of snow-covered mountains I think of

snow-covered mountains I think of

snow-covered mountains I think of Yellowstone National Park of Ronan

Yellowstone National Park of Ronan

Yellowstone National Park of Ronan Donovan legendary wolf photographer but

Donovan legendary wolf photographer but

Donovan legendary wolf photographer but these guys are completely different they

these guys are completely different they

these guys are completely different they live off the ocean up to 90% of their

live off the ocean up to 90% of their

live off the ocean up to 90% of their diet comes from the ocean they fish

diet comes from the ocean they fish

diet comes from the ocean they fish barnacles mussels clams even washed-up

barnacles mussels clams even washed-up

barnacles mussels clams even washed-up whales they live this incredible

whales they live this incredible

whales they live this incredible existence and this particular day will

existence and this particular day will

existence and this particular day will stay with me forever because it was the

stay with me forever because it was the

stay with me forever because it was the first time I’d ever got close to a

first time I’d ever got close to a

first time I’d ever got close to a coastal wolf up to this point every time

coastal wolf up to this point every time

coastal wolf up to this point every time I tried to sneak up on them or get close

I tried to sneak up on them or get close

I tried to sneak up on them or get close in my little rubber boat

in my little rubber boat

in my little rubber boat they’d slink off into the forest they

they’d slink off into the forest they

they’d slink off into the forest they really were the ghosts of this coast but

really were the ghosts of this coast but

really were the ghosts of this coast but for some reason on this particular day

for some reason on this particular day

for some reason on this particular day she was confident enough to hang out

she was confident enough to hang out

she was confident enough to hang out with me and because it was the first

with me and because it was the first

with me and because it was the first time I got close to her I was shaking

time I got close to her I was shaking

time I got close to her I was shaking with adrenaline wasn’t cuz I was scared

with adrenaline wasn’t cuz I was scared

with adrenaline wasn’t cuz I was scared there’s no reason to be scared of wolves

there’s no reason to be scared of wolves

there’s no reason to be scared of wolves it was because I was so excited luckily

it was because I was so excited luckily

it was because I was so excited luckily she was very relaxed she relaxed she

she was very relaxed she relaxed she

she was very relaxed she relaxed she yawned she stuck her tongue out and it

yawned she stuck her tongue out and it

yawned she stuck her tongue out and it meant I could stop taking very shaky

meant I could stop taking very shaky

meant I could stop taking very shaky pictures now I could take sharp pictures

pictures now I could take sharp pictures

pictures now I could take sharp pictures the only problem was towards the end of

the only problem was towards the end of

the only problem was towards the end of her yawn she did this and my blood got

her yawn she did this and my blood got

her yawn she did this and my blood got pumping again and I went back to taking

pumping again and I went back to taking

pumping again and I went back to taking blurry pictures now this female is the

blurry pictures now this female is the

blurry pictures now this female is the leader of her pack she’s the alpha

leader of her pack she’s the alpha

leader of her pack she’s the alpha female issues with the alpha male and

female issues with the alpha male and

female issues with the alpha male and you can see the the coastal you know

you can see the the coastal you know

you can see the the coastal you know home that they live in and in this pack

home that they live in and in this pack

home that they live in and in this pack there were nine individuals including

there were nine individuals including

there were nine individuals including four very very cute pups three of them

four very very cute pups three of them

four very very cute pups three of them are pictured here whether with the alpha

are pictured here whether with the alpha

are pictured here whether with the alpha female bear they’re just beautifully

female bear they’re just beautifully

female bear they’re just beautifully camouflaged now it was such an honor you

camouflaged now it was such an honor you

camouflaged now it was such an honor you know so special to have this secret

know so special to have this secret

know so special to have this secret window into the you know the hidden

window into the you know the hidden

window into the you know the hidden lives of coastal wolves it’s something

lives of coastal wolves it’s something

lives of coastal wolves it’s something that very few people on the planet have

that very few people on the planet have

that very few people on the planet have experienced so I felt incredibly

experienced so I felt incredibly

experienced so I felt incredibly grateful that that that happened now

grateful that that that happened now

grateful that that that happened now about six months after I returned home I

about six months after I returned home I

about six months after I returned home I received one of the most horrible

received one of the most horrible

received one of the most horrible messages I’ve ever received

messages I’ve ever received

messages I’ve ever received kids attached to that message was this

kids attached to that message was this

kids attached to that message was this picture that wolf and one of her pups

picture that wolf and one of her pups

picture that wolf and one of her pups had been shot and thrown in a local

had been shot and thrown in a local

had been shot and thrown in a local fishing village dumpster

fishing village dumpster

fishing village dumpster now if she’d been called Cecil if she’d

now if she’d been called Cecil if she’d

now if she’d been called Cecil if she’d been a lion there would have been outcry

been a lion there would have been outcry

been a lion there would have been outcry across the world but because she’s a

across the world but because she’s a

across the world but because she’s a coastal wolf not many people know about

coastal wolf not many people know about

coastal wolf not many people know about coastal wolves so who cares

coastal wolves so who cares

coastal wolves so who cares and so absolutely nothing happened and

and so absolutely nothing happened and

and so absolutely nothing happened and this happens far too often with wildlife

this happens far too often with wildlife

this happens far too often with wildlife we’ve got to find more ways to live

we’ve got to find more ways to live

we’ve got to find more ways to live alongside it particularly with these big

alongside it particularly with these big

alongside it particularly with these big predators and I think the first step

predators and I think the first step

predators and I think the first step towards doing that is valuing them more

towards doing that is valuing them more

towards doing that is valuing them more so ever since then ever since I got that

so ever since then ever since I got that

so ever since then ever since I got that message I knew I had to return to

message I knew I had to return to

message I knew I had to return to Vancouver Island firstly to show how

Vancouver Island firstly to show how

Vancouver Island firstly to show how awesome these coastal wolves are but

awesome these coastal wolves are but

awesome these coastal wolves are but also use them as flagships to to

also use them as flagships to to

also use them as flagships to to celebrate the amazing west coast

celebrate the amazing west coast

celebrate the amazing west coast ecosystem within which they live so I

ecosystem within which they live so I

ecosystem within which they live so I had a grant from the scientific

had a grant from the scientific

had a grant from the scientific exploration Society in the UK and I had

exploration Society in the UK and I had

exploration Society in the UK and I had a young explorers grant from the

a young explorers grant from the

a young explorers grant from the National graphic society here I pitched

National graphic society here I pitched

National graphic society here I pitched to National Geographic a series and this

to National Geographic a series and this

to National Geographic a series and this now has become NatGeo world’s first

now has become NatGeo world’s first

now has become NatGeo world’s first digital series so where is Vancouver

digital series so where is Vancouver

digital series so where is Vancouver Island let’s zoom in so it’s just off

Island let’s zoom in so it’s just off

Island let’s zoom in so it’s just off Main Line Canada near the US border and

Main Line Canada near the US border and

Main Line Canada near the US border and I was about halfway up on the west coast

I was about halfway up on the west coast

I was about halfway up on the west coast and it’s an amazing amazing ecosystem

in the winter it’s absolutely hammered

in the winter it’s absolutely hammered by waves it’s one of the best places in

by waves it’s one of the best places in

by waves it’s one of the best places in the world for storm watching and that

the world for storm watching and that

the world for storm watching and that you can see you’ve got this wave vatted

you can see you’ve got this wave vatted

you can see you’ve got this wave vatted Pacific West Coast and then there’s

Pacific West Coast and then there’s

Pacific West Coast and then there’s rainforest coated mountains that drop

rainforest coated mountains that drop

rainforest coated mountains that drop straight down to the shoreline it’s not

straight down to the shoreline it’s not

straight down to the shoreline it’s not tropical rainforest it’s temperate

tropical rainforest it’s temperate

tropical rainforest it’s temperate rainforest and you know it’s incredibly

rainforest and you know it’s incredibly

rainforest and you know it’s incredibly green incredibly luscious and behind

green incredibly luscious and behind

green incredibly luscious and behind that wave battered front line is this

that wave battered front line is this

that wave battered front line is this never-ending network of sheltered see

never-ending network of sheltered see

never-ending network of sheltered see inlets and that’s one of the best places

inlets and that’s one of the best places

inlets and that’s one of the best places to find animals now crazy landscape by

to find animals now crazy landscape by

to find animals now crazy landscape by itself but to then be packed full of you

itself but to then be packed full of you

itself but to then be packed full of you know big sexy charismatic animals from

know big sexy charismatic animals from

know big sexy charismatic animals from you know gray whales to humpback whales

you know gray whales to humpback whales

you know gray whales to humpback whales these are 45 tons 50 feet long they’re

these are 45 tons 50 feet long they’re

these are 45 tons 50 feet long they’re absolute Giants – bald eagles and these

absolute Giants – bald eagles and these

absolute Giants – bald eagles and these guys are a master fisherman and they’re

guys are a master fisherman and they’re

guys are a master fisherman and they’re also huge they’ve got a massive wingspan

also huge they’ve got a massive wingspan

also huge they’ve got a massive wingspan 6 feet wingspan and then there’s the key

6 feet wingspan and then there’s the key

6 feet wingspan and then there’s the key to stuff now I think if sea otters is

to stuff now I think if sea otters is

to stuff now I think if sea otters is like the Derek Zoolander’s of the the

like the Derek Zoolander’s of the the

like the Derek Zoolander’s of the the animal kingdom they’re always pulling

animal kingdom they’re always pulling

animal kingdom they’re always pulling opposed this guy hasn’t quite mastered

opposed this guy hasn’t quite mastered

opposed this guy hasn’t quite mastered blue steel but he’s getting there so

blue steel but he’s getting there so

blue steel but he’s getting there so it’s a bit of a pout and this guy’s this

it’s a bit of a pout and this guy’s this

it’s a bit of a pout and this guy’s this guy think of he’s stretching out a bit

guy think of he’s stretching out a bit

guy think of he’s stretching out a bit of a calf cramp yeah they’re awesome but

of a calf cramp yeah they’re awesome but

of a calf cramp yeah they’re awesome but if you think sea otters are cute or

if you think sea otters are cute or

if you think sea otters are cute or raccoons the bandits the mass bandits

raccoons the bandits the mass bandits

raccoons the bandits the mass bandits they’re on another level now I have a

they’re on another level now I have a

they’re on another level now I have a bit of a crazy theory about raccoons I

bit of a crazy theory about raccoons I

bit of a crazy theory about raccoons I believe they are plotting the end of the

believe they are plotting the end of the

believe they are plotting the end of the world

world

world now they were pretty shocked to hear

now they were pretty shocked to hear

now they were pretty shocked to hear that I discovered their plan and the

that I discovered their plan and the

that I discovered their plan and the only thing they could really do after

only thing they could really do after

only thing they could really do after they discovered I’d foiled their plan

they discovered I’d foiled their plan

they discovered I’d foiled their plan was to go and get a drink at the bar

was to go and get a drink at the bar

was to go and get a drink at the bar so as I said it’s is temperate

so as I said it’s is temperate

so as I said it’s is temperate rainforest this place so it’s pretty

rainforest this place so it’s pretty

rainforest this place so it’s pretty much impenetrable to go walking

much impenetrable to go walking

much impenetrable to go walking especially with you know big cameras and

especially with you know big cameras and

especially with you know big cameras and tripods so I was searching for the

tripods so I was searching for the

tripods so I was searching for the Wolves in my little 12 zodiac it was

Wolves in my little 12 zodiac it was

Wolves in my little 12 zodiac it was called striker

called striker

called striker I was filming mainly from the boat from

I was filming mainly from the boat from

I was filming mainly from the boat from the water but where possible I did get

the water but where possible I did get

the water but where possible I did get out on land and I spent a lot of time in

out on land and I spent a lot of time in

out on land and I spent a lot of time in blinds and having had those amazing

blinds and having had those amazing

blinds and having had those amazing experiences with coastal wolves in the

experiences with coastal wolves in the

experiences with coastal wolves in the past I went into this pretty confident

past I went into this pretty confident

past I went into this pretty confident that I could find coastal wolves but

that I could find coastal wolves but

that I could find coastal wolves but they were just giving me the runaround I

they were just giving me the runaround I

they were just giving me the runaround I was getting absolutely nothing they were

was getting absolutely nothing they were

was getting absolutely nothing they were you know ghosts now this Coast receives

you know ghosts now this Coast receives

you know ghosts now this Coast receives a huge amount of rainfall and often it’s

a huge amount of rainfall and often it’s

a huge amount of rainfall and often it’s difficult to stay out when the weather

difficult to stay out when the weather

difficult to stay out when the weather is miserable but I had this um you know

is miserable but I had this um you know

is miserable but I had this um you know this idea that I needed to stay out in

this idea that I needed to stay out in

this idea that I needed to stay out in all conditions because you know that

all conditions because you know that

all conditions because you know that could be when when you get lucky so this

could be when when you get lucky so this

could be when when you get lucky so this is a myself in a little hail storm this

is a myself in a little hail storm this

is a myself in a little hail storm this is really nice

it wasn’t it was miserable now this

it wasn’t it was miserable now this particular area of shoreline is really

particular area of shoreline is really

particular area of shoreline is really cool because it’s a sanctuary for about

cool because it’s a sanctuary for about

cool because it’s a sanctuary for about eight females and of course females

eight females and of course females

eight females and of course females means Cubs and the best part about these

means Cubs and the best part about these

means Cubs and the best part about these particular bears was that the only thing

particular bears was that the only thing

particular bears was that the only thing that they’re scared of is a bigger bear

that they’re scared of is a bigger bear

that they’re scared of is a bigger bear or a pack of wolves and the only place

or a pack of wolves and the only place

or a pack of wolves and the only place that comes from is the forest so if

that comes from is the forest so if

that comes from is the forest so if you’re on a boat on the water they

you’re on a boat on the water they

you’re on a boat on the water they completely ignore you and that’s awesome

completely ignore you and that’s awesome

completely ignore you and that’s awesome because you can get really really close

because you can get really really close

because you can get really really close and film natural behavior and you can

and film natural behavior and you can

and film natural behavior and you can get really really close this is a

get really really close this is a

get really really close this is a juvenile bear that was actually got a

juvenile bear that was actually got a

juvenile bear that was actually got a little bit curious came over to check me

little bit curious came over to check me

little bit curious came over to check me out where possible I did get out on land

out where possible I did get out on land

out where possible I did get out on land to walk with the Bears now when a bear

to walk with the Bears now when a bear

to walk with the Bears now when a bear comes really close it’s important to

comes really close it’s important to

comes really close it’s important to stay calm and with black bears I should

stay calm and with black bears I should

stay calm and with black bears I should say and just have a chat with it because

say and just have a chat with it because

say and just have a chat with it because if you have a chat with it it’s relaxed

if you have a chat with it it’s relaxed

if you have a chat with it it’s relaxed you’re relaxed everyone’s safe okay

you’re relaxed everyone’s safe okay

you’re relaxed everyone’s safe okay we’re here we’re here okay that’s a good

we’re here we’re here okay that’s a good

we’re here we’re here okay that’s a good bear go around

bear go around

bear go around okay go around

go around good and then everyone’s happy

go around good and then everyone’s happy when I first went to Vancouver Island I

when I first went to Vancouver Island I

when I first went to Vancouver Island I wanted to get my camera even closer than

wanted to get my camera even closer than

wanted to get my camera even closer than this so whilst I was a high school I

this so whilst I was a high school I

this so whilst I was a high school I built this

built this

built this it’s called bear box and it’s basically

it’s called bear box and it’s basically

it’s called bear box and it’s basically an indestructible housing for my camera

an indestructible housing for my camera

an indestructible housing for my camera and this is me Anna my design and

and this is me Anna my design and

and this is me Anna my design and technology teacher mr. Sullivan and this

technology teacher mr. Sullivan and this

technology teacher mr. Sullivan and this was the first shot taken inside bear box

was the first shot taken inside bear box

was the first shot taken inside bear box we didn’t really know how the Bears were

we didn’t really know how the Bears were

we didn’t really know how the Bears were going to react it turns out they kind of

going to react it turns out they kind of

going to react it turns out they kind of liked it but it did mean that I could

liked it but it did mean that I could

liked it but it did mean that I could get the camera really really close to

get the camera really really close to

get the camera really really close to them with a wide-angle lens so they’re

them with a wide-angle lens so they’re

them with a wide-angle lens so they’re big in the frame with their habitat

big in the frame with their habitat

big in the frame with their habitat behind and you can see here that they’re

behind and you can see here that they’re

behind and you can see here that they’re walking on on the shoreline like

walking on on the shoreline like

walking on on the shoreline like clockwork these bears would come out of

clockwork these bears would come out of

clockwork these bears would come out of the forest every day at low tide when

the forest every day at low tide when

the forest every day at low tide when the water in the inlets goes out to

the water in the inlets goes out to

the water in the inlets goes out to forage they were foraging in a pretty

forage they were foraging in a pretty

forage they were foraging in a pretty cool way so I’m just going to let a

cool way so I’m just going to let a

cool way so I’m just going to let a little clip from from episode 2 explain

little clip from from episode 2 explain

little clip from from episode 2 explain what they were doing come out nice and

what they were doing come out nice and

what they were doing come out nice and early this morning to look for bears

early this morning to look for bears

early this morning to look for bears it’s nice and clear so I can see a long

it’s nice and clear so I can see a long

it’s nice and clear so I can see a long long way yeah we got a bat on the

long way yeah we got a bat on the

long way yeah we got a bat on the shoreline just a

awesome right we’re gonna approach

awesome right we’re gonna approach slowly and hopefully it hangs out

you might be wondering why a bear would

you might be wondering why a bear would hang out on the shoreline or why it’s

hang out on the shoreline or why it’s

hang out on the shoreline or why it’s flipping rocks so many rocks I just

flipping rocks so many rocks I just

flipping rocks so many rocks I just found out this is a young male bear

found out this is a young male bear

found out this is a young male bear because he has a big set of balls

craps

craps lots and lots of crap

so I was having great luck with the

so I was having great luck with the Bears you know filling them on the rocky

Bears you know filling them on the rocky

Bears you know filling them on the rocky shore but still the Wolves were giving

shore but still the Wolves were giving

shore but still the Wolves were giving me the runaround wildlife is weird when

me the runaround wildlife is weird when

me the runaround wildlife is weird when you try and film or photograph it

you try and film or photograph it

you try and film or photograph it because had I said you know I want to

because had I said you know I want to

because had I said you know I want to make a film about black bears well I

make a film about black bears well I

make a film about black bears well I would have seen no black bears and loads

would have seen no black bears and loads

would have seen no black bears and loads of coastal wolves that’s just you know

of coastal wolves that’s just you know

of coastal wolves that’s just you know how it works and all the other animals

how it works and all the other animals

how it works and all the other animals were putting on an amazing show you have

were putting on an amazing show you have

were putting on an amazing show you have really cool encounters with Orca kill

really cool encounters with Orca kill

really cool encounters with Orca kill whales Yorker in this particular area

whales Yorker in this particular area

whales Yorker in this particular area are transient and one of their favorite

are transient and one of their favorite

are transient and one of their favorite foods are these guys stellar sea lions

foods are these guys stellar sea lions

foods are these guys stellar sea lions now these sea lions are pretty

now these sea lions are pretty

now these sea lions are pretty formidable predators in their own right

formidable predators in their own right

formidable predators in their own right the males are not very pretty they can

the males are not very pretty they can

the males are not very pretty they can be 2,000 pounds 11 feet long they’re

be 2,000 pounds 11 feet long they’re

be 2,000 pounds 11 feet long they’re absolute monsters and when they’re on

absolute monsters and when they’re on

absolute monsters and when they’re on land they’re pretty ugly there’s just

land they’re pretty ugly there’s just

land they’re pretty ugly there’s just these big fat blobs of blubber and I

these big fat blobs of blubber and I

these big fat blobs of blubber and I wanted to make an episode about them but

wanted to make an episode about them but

wanted to make an episode about them but I didn’t think it was fair to only film

I didn’t think it was fair to only film

I didn’t think it was fair to only film them when they were hauled out on the

them when they were hauled out on the

them when they were hauled out on the rocky shore so I decided to get in the

rocky shore so I decided to get in the

rocky shore so I decided to get in the water with them and I wasn’t really sure

water with them and I wasn’t really sure

water with them and I wasn’t really sure how they were going to react to the

how they were going to react to the

how they were going to react to the camera and the lights and things um

camera and the lights and things um

camera and the lights and things um turns out they kind of liked me now this

turns out they kind of liked me now this

turns out they kind of liked me now this doesn’t look like a brilliant situation

doesn’t look like a brilliant situation

doesn’t look like a brilliant situation to be in

to be in

to be in so I’m going to let a little clip

so I’m going to let a little clip

so I’m going to let a little clip explain what exactly is going on

that was amazing we we sat right down on

that was amazing we we sat right down on the bottom on the sand and their massive

the bottom on the sand and their massive

the bottom on the sand and their massive iron of 15-20 of them all around us at

iron of 15-20 of them all around us at

iron of 15-20 of them all around us at one point I had one over either shoulder

one point I had one over either shoulder

one point I had one over either shoulder and then one gripped me on the head and

and then one gripped me on the head and

and then one gripped me on the head and squeezed and squeezed up okay that’s a

squeezed and squeezed up okay that’s a

squeezed and squeezed up okay that’s a little bit hard but the whole time it

little bit hard but the whole time it

little bit hard but the whole time it doesn’t feel like they’re being

doesn’t feel like they’re being

doesn’t feel like they’re being aggressive it feels like I mean they

aggressive it feels like I mean they

aggressive it feels like I mean they don’t have arms is they want to know

don’t have arms is they want to know

don’t have arms is they want to know what a new song key object feels like it

what a new song key object feels like it

what a new song key object feels like it can’t use the hands didn’t have any they

can’t use the hands didn’t have any they

can’t use the hands didn’t have any they gotta just have a little bite and so

gotta just have a little bite and so

gotta just have a little bite and so it’s very much a loving tender bite

it’s very much a loving tender bite

it’s very much a loving tender bite rather than an aggressive I want to eat

rather than an aggressive I want to eat

rather than an aggressive I want to eat you bite now ironically it was actually

you bite now ironically it was actually

you bite now ironically it was actually one of the smallest sea lions on this

one of the smallest sea lions on this

one of the smallest sea lions on this rocky haul out that came closest to

rocky haul out that came closest to

rocky haul out that came closest to killing me I was suspicious of this

killing me I was suspicious of this

killing me I was suspicious of this particular sea lion because all the

particular sea lion because all the

particular sea lion because all the others went around in groups whereas

others went around in groups whereas

others went around in groups whereas this one always went by it you know went

this one always went by it you know went

this one always went by it you know went around by itself and it learned that

around by itself and it learned that

around by itself and it learned that grabbing on my regulator hose my

grabbing on my regulator hose my

grabbing on my regulator hose my breathing hose and pulling out of my

breathing hose and pulling out of my

breathing hose and pulling out of my mouth was really fun because it made

mouth was really fun because it made

mouth was really fun because it made bubbles that it could then play in now

bubbles that it could then play in now

bubbles that it could then play in now of course this was scary the first time

of course this was scary the first time

of course this was scary the first time but once I kind of worked out what he

but once I kind of worked out what he

but once I kind of worked out what he was doing I flipped the camera around so

was doing I flipped the camera around so

was doing I flipped the camera around so I could see him coming in the reflection

I could see him coming in the reflection

I could see him coming in the reflection of my underwater housing I could see him

of my underwater housing I could see him

of my underwater housing I could see him coming over my shoulder and yeah I tried

coming over my shoulder and yeah I tried

coming over my shoulder and yeah I tried to catch him in the act

little rascals so I wasn’t having much

little rascals so I wasn’t having much luck with the wolf so decided to mix

luck with the wolf so decided to mix

luck with the wolf so decided to mix things up and travelled further up the

things up and travelled further up the

things up and travelled further up the coast and went to this really remote

coast and went to this really remote

coast and went to this really remote island the only way really of getting in

island the only way really of getting in

island the only way really of getting in there at this time of year was was by

there at this time of year was was by

there at this time of year was was by floatplane

floatplane

floatplane this was my badass pilot Doug and he

this was my badass pilot Doug and he

this was my badass pilot Doug and he could basically get us into to anywhere

could basically get us into to anywhere

could basically get us into to anywhere he dropped us off on this incredibly

he dropped us off on this incredibly

he dropped us off on this incredibly beautiful section of coastline this

beautiful section of coastline this

beautiful section of coastline this great bit of Beach so we set up camp and

great bit of Beach so we set up camp and

great bit of Beach so we set up camp and we were miles and miles from from

we were miles and miles from from

we were miles and miles from from civilization so we often left the tent

civilization so we often left the tent

civilization so we often left the tent doors open at night so that we could you

doors open at night so that we could you

doors open at night so that we could you know see the Milky Way and yeah it was

know see the Milky Way and yeah it was

know see the Milky Way and yeah it was really really cool this is a time-lapse

really really cool this is a time-lapse

really really cool this is a time-lapse and this isn’t actually the Sun rising

and this isn’t actually the Sun rising

and this isn’t actually the Sun rising that’s the moon rising in the middle of

that’s the moon rising in the middle of

that’s the moon rising in the middle of the night and which was kind of cool

the night and which was kind of cool

the night and which was kind of cool nice surprise so I set up a blind the

nice surprise so I set up a blind the

nice surprise so I set up a blind the weather wasn’t great to start with set

weather wasn’t great to start with set

weather wasn’t great to start with set up a blind basically to break up my

up a blind basically to break up my

up a blind basically to break up my human outline animals including wolves

human outline animals including wolves

human outline animals including wolves are evolutionary programmed to be scared

are evolutionary programmed to be scared

are evolutionary programmed to be scared of our head and shoulder shape so you

of our head and shoulder shape so you

of our head and shoulder shape so you set up a blind break up that outline and

set up a blind break up that outline and

set up a blind break up that outline and the idea is they don’t know that that

the idea is they don’t know that that

the idea is they don’t know that that you’re there so this was in the hide

you’re there so this was in the hide

you’re there so this was in the hide everything was lovely

everything was lovely

everything was lovely well twelve days later things weren’t

well twelve days later things weren’t

well twelve days later things weren’t going great

going great

going great I saw absolutely nothing so many

I saw absolutely nothing so many

I saw absolutely nothing so many beautiful sunrises beautiful sunsets

beautiful sunrises beautiful sunsets

beautiful sunrises beautiful sunsets bald eagles flying paths black bears

bald eagles flying paths black bears

bald eagles flying paths black bears kingfishers everything apart from

kingfishers everything apart from

kingfishers everything apart from coastal wolves and we decided to pull

coastal wolves and we decided to pull

coastal wolves and we decided to pull the plug and move to her to a new

the plug and move to her to a new

the plug and move to her to a new location and just as we were doing so we

location and just as we were doing so we

location and just as we were doing so we realized why we might not have seen any

realized why we might not have seen any

realized why we might not have seen any coastal wolves now if you look up in the

coastal wolves now if you look up in the

coastal wolves now if you look up in the top of that picture it’s big big section

top of that picture it’s big big section

top of that picture it’s big big section of logging now I knew that there was

of logging now I knew that there was

of logging now I knew that there was logging on Vancouver Island but I didn’t

logging on Vancouver Island but I didn’t

logging on Vancouver Island but I didn’t really expect to see it and to actually

really expect to see it and to actually

really expect to see it and to actually be waiting for wolves and to be able to

be waiting for wolves and to be able to

be waiting for wolves and to be able to put your fingers in your ears and look

put your fingers in your ears and look

put your fingers in your ears and look out over this beautiful coast take your

out over this beautiful coast take your

out over this beautiful coast take your fingers at your is and you can hear

fingers at your is and you can hear

fingers at your is and you can hear chainsaws and trees and machinery so we

chainsaws and trees and machinery so we

chainsaws and trees and machinery so we walked up to see what the logging was

walked up to see what the logging was

walked up to see what the logging was like and

like and

like and don’t want to point the finger at you no

don’t want to point the finger at you no

don’t want to point the finger at you no loggers um I guess that the one thing

loggers um I guess that the one thing

loggers um I guess that the one thing that you know it’s yeah we’re all part

that you know it’s yeah we’re all part

that you know it’s yeah we’re all part of this problem we all use paper we all

of this problem we all use paper we all

of this problem we all use paper we all use wood I guess the one thing I would

use wood I guess the one thing I would

use wood I guess the one thing I would say is that when I was in high school we

say is that when I was in high school we

say is that when I was in high school we were taught that you know the cutting

were taught that you know the cutting

were taught that you know the cutting down of rainforests happened in the

down of rainforests happened in the

down of rainforests happened in the Amazon you know in a faraway place and

Amazon you know in a faraway place and

Amazon you know in a faraway place and it was a problem that was difficult to

it was a problem that was difficult to

it was a problem that was difficult to deal with well you know this is the

deal with well you know this is the

deal with well you know this is the logging of temperate rainforest that

logging of temperate rainforest that

logging of temperate rainforest that tree that I’m sitting on was cut down

tree that I’m sitting on was cut down

tree that I’m sitting on was cut down maybe that day a few days earlier could

maybe that day a few days earlier could

maybe that day a few days earlier could be 500 years old other trees there are a

be 500 years old other trees there are a

be 500 years old other trees there are a thousand years old and I think in the

thousand years old and I think in the

thousand years old and I think in the 21st century there’s got to be an

21st century there’s got to be an

21st century there’s got to be an alternative to cutting down you know

alternative to cutting down you know

alternative to cutting down you know these old-growth temperate rainforests

these old-growth temperate rainforests

these old-growth temperate rainforests on this you know this coastline this is

on this you know this coastline this is

on this you know this coastline this is on the developed world’s doorstep if we

on the developed world’s doorstep if we

on the developed world’s doorstep if we can’t look after this place what hope

can’t look after this place what hope

can’t look after this place what hope does does anywhere else have so this was

does does anywhere else have so this was

does does anywhere else have so this was was pretty upsetting so I went back to

was pretty upsetting so I went back to

was pretty upsetting so I went back to my tent I got in my happy place I

my tent I got in my happy place I

my tent I got in my happy place I snuggled with my cameras and regrouped

snuggled with my cameras and regrouped

snuggled with my cameras and regrouped and two days later this happened now I’m

and two days later this happened now I’m

and two days later this happened now I’m not actually allowed to tell you what

not actually allowed to tell you what

not actually allowed to tell you what happened next if you’d like to find out

happened next if you’d like to find out

happened next if you’d like to find out you’re going to have to follow the rest

you’re going to have to follow the rest

you’re going to have to follow the rest of the series I’d just like to thank you

of the series I’d just like to thank you

of the series I’d just like to thank you all for coming that’s all I’ve got to

all for coming that’s all I’ve got to

all for coming that’s all I’ve got to say I hope you have a great rest of your

say I hope you have a great rest of your

say I hope you have a great rest of your evening

”

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *