SeaRae Photography

11/08/2020

Every year, when the salmon spawn, the entire surrounding ecosystem is replenished. A never-ending cycle of nutrients and life. What a joy it is to watch this miracle.

09/22/2020

Yesterday marks one of my most memorable days on the water this year. We headed out around 11am towards Race Rocks Ecological Reserve. A hotbed for marine life, its rocky reefs, ripping tidal currents, and temperate climate all contribute to the extremely high biodiversity and ecological productivity in the area. During our trip yesterday, we witnessed a beautiful display of Race Rocks' marine mammal biodiversity firsthand, including harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Stellar sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), harbour seal (Phoca vitulina), and the golden jewel: transient killer whales (Orcinus orca) known as the T018 matriline. At one point, we were fairly certain the killer whales had made a kill, due to the sudden flocking of marine birds in the area. However it wasn't until we got home and looked at the photographs that I saw the harbour seal in the mouth of one of the large male killer whales (T019B)! What a wonderful day on the water, and how lucky we are to have places like this at our fingertips. Marine protected areas like Race Rocks are not only a great place to encounter wildlife, they are also incredibly important for the strength and survival of our oceans biodiversity.

08/05/2020

Transient killer whale brothers Rocky (T002C1) and Tumbo (T002C2). Born in 2005, Tumbo suffered from scoliosis, which left his spine and dorsal fin with a significant abnormal curvature. On this day back in 2018, I remember watching him swim with his family. Every movement, every breath, was clearly extra effort for this remarkable whale. Nonetheless his family stayed with him, and for years helped him survive by sharing their prey and reuniting with him if he fell behind. Sadly, this was the last time I ever saw Tumbo, who has not been seen with his family since last year, and is presumed deceased. He will forever an inspiration to never give up when life feels too difficult, and above all else, support those you love. ❤️

07/30/2020

California sea lions

07/30/2020

Sea otter

06/17/2020