One of the great things about living in this corner of BC is the proximity to Haida Gwaii – an archipelago some 120 km off the North Coast. Most Canadians either never get the chance to go, or consider it a once-in-a-lifetime thing. But from Prince Rupert, it’s almost visible… just out of sight on the horizon, a ferry trip away. Arianne and I have made the hop across the Hecate Strait a number of times and we did so again last month. This time, we were especially thrilled to do a photo shoot for Gwaii Haanas, or if you like mouthfuls: “Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site“. Or say it in French, or in Haida. It’s a big sign.
Gwaii Haanas is unique in Canada as it is fully co-managed by the governments of both Canada and the Haida Nation. It is also formally managed on the principle that land, sea, and people are interconnected. Gwaii Haanas makes up the southern portion of the archipelago and is accessible only by boat. It comprises close to 1,500 sq. km islands surrounded by a rich and productive sea. This connection – “from mountain top to sea floor” – is also formally embedded into Gwaii Haanas management.
Our photo shoot did not feature the Gwaii Haanas area itself, but focused instead on the orientation and interpretive programs offered by Gwaii Haanas’s knowledgeable staff. So on the menu was an intertidal walk, a forest trail tour, and ocean discovery mayhem with those green-shirted rock stars! A few photos below:
The Kai Centre itself is a must-see as you pass through Skidegate. Outrageously good grub at the cafe there!
We were also able to get in some serious land-sea-people exploration of our own, of course. Sand between the toes, clambering over great carpets of seaweed exposed at low tide, and a shipwreck visit to boot! Abeille graduated from crawling, skipped toddling and went straight for scaling ladders and other near-vertical surfaces. The dogs enjoyed the joy of being dogs and occasionally attacking the Pacific Ocean for no discernable reason. Arianne knitted an octopus. Yep.
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I was able to put my video-savvy Samsung NX1 camera through the ropes and I’m pleased with the results – high definition video clips and terrific time-lapse potential in this little guy!
Plus visiting with friends, multiple trips to Jag’s, another flat tire adventure, and more. So all in all, an excellent photography-infused vacation. Land, sea, and people are interconnected? Yep, got that.
Hawa’a Haida Gwaii, we’ll be back!