Olympus TG6 with teleconverter lens
The ferry that services the southern Gulf Islands off the coast of British Columbia begins its journey on the Tsawwassen terminal, whose causeways direct the flow of traffic towards the Strait of Georgia, now referred to as The Salish Sea. Tsawwassen means 'land facing the sea' in the Halkomelem indigenous language, and the terminal is, according to Wikipedia, the largest ferry terminal in North America. It was opened in 1960 and has been expanded since then. See my previous post to take a look inside the vessel.
The dark shadows on the photograph are not software effects but the edges of the teleconverter lens. I like this effect because it adds an air of romanticism to the shot
The Gulf Islands are a group of major islands and islets located in the Salish Sea between the BC mainland and Vancouver Island. Created in the churning tectonics that smash against each other, this area enjoys a Mediterranean like climate that makes it ideal for specific flora and fauna to take root. Some of the islands comprise a national park reserve with unique ecosystems. At the moment, the sky was blue, the sun warm with a cool breeze blowing, and everything glistened with the newness of summer. Later, in the fall and winter, it will become a cold world of rain and mist.
To traverse through these islands, the ferry must cross Active Pass, which is a narrow strait and fraught with potential hazards like eddies and riptides. It is a commercial, transportation, and pleasure-craft seaway connecting various communities scattered throughout the islands. Many people retire to these places or build vacation homes. Others are locals who make a living in various endeavors including farming, crafts, fishing, and tourism.
I was inside the vessel looking out the window when I saw some seals playing in the water. I was too far from the deck, so I couldn't get there fast enough to take photos. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you might spot orca whales swimming by. They are such a spectacle and people pay big bucks for a chance to see them. All around, there are wonderful varieties of avian and marine species.
Hard work and pleasure
I like seeing the sailboats. It takes courage to throw yourself out there on that immense ocean and make the journey for the pleasure of it. The adventure of it. In the 1900s sailing became the glamorous thing to do among the upper classes with the appearance of boat clubs and races (regatta). On the other hand, the image above also shows the less glamorous aspects of seafaring. It's one thing to navigate a vessel for its own sake, it's quite another to do so to make a living.
The ferry moves left and right as it navigates the narrow channels. The horns blow from time to time as other ferries approach in the distance on their way back to the Tsawwassen terminal or some other destination. I see the houses with the stairs down the rocky slopes and boats on the piers. I smile and wonder what it must be like to live there, isolated from the rest of humanity, in a manner of speaking. No man is an island unto himself, the prophets say, but at least he'll have some nice views for a little while.
Resources
Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsawwassen_ferry_terminal
The Gulf Islands on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Islands
Images by @litguru
