{"id":3743,"date":"2016-08-02T21:07:55","date_gmt":"2016-08-03T04:07:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?p=3743"},"modified":"2016-08-02T21:07:55","modified_gmt":"2016-08-03T04:07:55","slug":"an-early-morning-in-echo-bay-lagoon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?p=3743","title":{"rendered":"An early morning in Echo Bay lagoon"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5378.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3766\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5378-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_5378\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_4970.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-3731\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_4970-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_4970\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>Leslie&#8217;s alarm went of at 5:42 a.m., her old &#8216;get up and jog with Carol&#8217; before school time. By 6 o&#8217;clock we were rowing Pacifico over the flat, reflective water as the rising sun lit the mountains above. We entered the \u00bc mile long lagoon around the corner at the head of Echo Bay as various eagles either sat and stared at us or flew low over our heads. We think that these eagles are pretty satisfied with affairs at this time of salmon migration.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5148.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3754\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5148-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_5148\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>As we pass slowly along, we see bubbles rising and discover springs of cold air bubbling up from the bottom of the lagoon. Shoals of salmon cruise by, and at times they startle and the surface of the water roils. If we were not what scared these fish, then it was likely the presence of one of the 4 or 5 seals that are alternately watching us proceed and watching the schooling salmon.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-3743 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3742'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_4978-1-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5072.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3740\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5072-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_5072\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>At the head of the lagoon is a sparkling little river descending the last 5 feet over several small waterfalls. The rocks shine in the brightening light. We drift in Pacifico with quiet rowing strokes from time to time. Every few minutes an eagle flies over our heads as it returns downriver to the lagoon. It seems like an eagle &#8216;pez&#8217; machine&#8230;..<\/p>\n<p>The light is still low, and there, in the dull light, are 2 dark shapes &#8211; a mother black bear and her cub. They come to the edge of the lagoon, take a look at us, turn and shamble over to the lowest little waterfall. Mama Bear leans over for a few seconds and then grabs an 18\u201d salmon, and she and her cub retire to the forest.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-3743 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3758'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5233-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5233-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5233-640x640.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3759'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5238-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3757'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5220-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>We wait and drift and watch the fish and the changing morning light. Each time the school of fish gets frightened and makes a bit of splashing, Leslie jumps. Maybe the bear is coming? And, when one of the seals makes a commotion, the same reaction happens. We figure this is our &#8216;fight or flight&#8217; (almost exclusively flight!) response.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-3743 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3745'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5069-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3744'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_4998-1-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3742'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_4978-1-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3741'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_4952-1-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3747'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5081-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3749'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5086-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3756'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5208-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3762'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5292-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3761'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5279-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>A half hour later, mom and cub reappear and follow exactly the same sequence:\u00a0 down to the water&#8217;s edge, follow the little stream a bit, at the narrowest section, take a glance, and then just like at a supermarket, lean over and pick a nice, fresh fish and take it and the baby back in the woods for a bit more breakfast.<\/p>\n<p>Rowing back to Cat&#8217;s Cradle on this calm morning,we both feel that we have rowed back in time in Gwaii Haanas, \u201dPlace of Beauty\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>We were joined in Echo Harbor with the two Canadian boats that we had seen prior to crossing to Haida Gwaii, Crossroads of Time and Wingingit II, and a third crusing boat, Evergreen II. We hosted a late afternoon get-together in Cat&#8217;s Cradle for these 6 Vancouver area cruisers with their two pre-teen daughters.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5439.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-3769 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5439-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_5439\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>For the next two days we had good, long sailing days with fine winds and lovely sunsets.\u00a0 At one point we sailed right by what we are pretty sure was a Mola Mola or Ocean Sunfish. Its behavior was quite peculiar. We would see a fin (\u201cIs that a shark?\u201d) and it would stay above the water for 15-30 seconds, usually slowly pivoting is a partial circle, and then the fin would disappear. We stopped the boat and watched what turned out to be a large bluish-white creature with that dark fin extended above the water slowly progressed toward us. As it nearly reached Cat&#8217;s Cradle, it disappeared. \u00a0 It was not to be seen again, though we waited and watched for quite some time.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-3743 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/leslieval.com\/?attachment_id=3765'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5347-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Leslie&#8217;s alarm went of at 5:42 a.m., her old &#8216;get up and jog with Carol&#8217; before school time. By 6 o&#8217;clock we were rowing Pacifico over the flat, reflective water as the rising sun lit the mountains above. We entered the \u00bc mile long lagoon around the corner at the head of Echo Bay as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3758,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pacific-northwest-sailing","entry","has-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3743","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3743"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3792,"href":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3743\/revisions\/3792"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3758"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leslieval.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}