An early summer morning, Baylee and I set out to explore Whiffin Spit in Sooke, BC. The day was already promising to be a scorcher, but the sea breeze kept things cool as we made our way along the narrow strip of land that juts out into the Salish Sea. Low mist clung to the water in places, giving the landscape an ethereal quality, but the wildlife I had hoped to encounter was sparse.
Baylee trotted along happily, nose to the ground, while I scanned the surroundings for any signs of life. It wasn’t long before I spotted my first subject—a bee busily at work on a flower, seemingly oblivious to my presence. Nearby, another bee had decided to take a break, its tiny body curled up on a petal as if taking a nap in the warmth of the morning sun.
Further along, a sparrow caught my eye, perched perfectly with the water sparkling behind it. The early light danced off the waves, creating a beautiful backdrop for this little bird, which seemed to enjoy the attention.
Not far off, two more sparrows posed atop rocks, the mist swirling behind them, adding a dreamlike element to the scene. They were unusually friendly, almost as if they knew they were part of a photoshoot.
As we neared the parking lot, I finally spotted a blue heron, standing stoically in the distance. Unfortunately, by this time, the sun had risen fully, making the heron difficult to see against the now-bright sky. Even with my 600mm lens, the distance and light made it a challenging shot, and I knew I would have to be content with the memory rather than a perfect photo.
While Whiffin Spit didn’t offer the abundance of wildlife I was hoping for, it did allow me to test out my new circular polarizer filter. Though I didn’t notice much difference in this particular outing, I’m optimistic about its potential in future wildlife adventures.
In the end, the experience was more about the quiet moments and the few creatures that crossed our path. And as Baylee and I left Whiffin Spit behind, I was reminded that not every walk needs to be filled with wildlife to be memorable—sometimes, it’s the small, serene encounters that leave the lasting impressions.
Serene is good--isnt that what nature is all about!