Kynoch Inlet, British Columbia, Canada
During the night, we crossed the open seas of Queen Charlotte Sound, then re-entered the more protected waters of Fitzhugh Sound as we continued northward along the Inside Passage. By dawn, we were immersed in fog, but radar and other modern aids to navigation allowed us to ply onward through silky calm seas. At Milbank Sound, we turned to starboard and made our way up into Mathieson Channel which eventually lead us to Kynoch Inlet and deeper into the wilds of remote British Columbia. There was a morning photo presentation on “Exposure and the Qualities of Light” by Jack and Rikki Swenson, and as if on cue the fog dissipated revealing a brilliant sunny day.
Out on deck, we were treated to close up views of a spectacular waterfall as the captain eased the ship in closer and closer until the swirling mists surrounded us, and a miniature rainbow hung in the air beside us. We continued farther into Kynoch Inlet and the steep walls of the fjord rose in elevation around us. This seldom visited region on the British Columbia coast is part of the Fjordland Recreation Area. Close to the end of this scenic fjord, we anchored offshore from a broad tidal meadow backed by forest and snow capped peaks. After lunch, we headed out to explore the area by foot, Zodiac and kayak. Walkers followed the botanists along the edges of the meadow and the forest, finding many blue lupine in full bloom, as well as the less common chocolate lily. At the far end of the meadow, there were two brown bears grazing on the meadow grasses. It appeared to be a mother and her two-year-old cub. Some of the kayakers were able to paddle within excellent viewing range. Out on the water, those in kayaks or Zodiacs enjoyed the calm waters, plentiful sunshine and the unusually balmy conditions. There were several northern shoveler ducks as well as some dapper looking harlequin ducks seen in the shoreline waters. We remained at our peaceful anchorage in this remote wilderness into the late night hours.
During the night, we crossed the open seas of Queen Charlotte Sound, then re-entered the more protected waters of Fitzhugh Sound as we continued northward along the Inside Passage. By dawn, we were immersed in fog, but radar and other modern aids to navigation allowed us to ply onward through silky calm seas. At Milbank Sound, we turned to starboard and made our way up into Mathieson Channel which eventually lead us to Kynoch Inlet and deeper into the wilds of remote British Columbia. There was a morning photo presentation on “Exposure and the Qualities of Light” by Jack and Rikki Swenson, and as if on cue the fog dissipated revealing a brilliant sunny day.
Out on deck, we were treated to close up views of a spectacular waterfall as the captain eased the ship in closer and closer until the swirling mists surrounded us, and a miniature rainbow hung in the air beside us. We continued farther into Kynoch Inlet and the steep walls of the fjord rose in elevation around us. This seldom visited region on the British Columbia coast is part of the Fjordland Recreation Area. Close to the end of this scenic fjord, we anchored offshore from a broad tidal meadow backed by forest and snow capped peaks. After lunch, we headed out to explore the area by foot, Zodiac and kayak. Walkers followed the botanists along the edges of the meadow and the forest, finding many blue lupine in full bloom, as well as the less common chocolate lily. At the far end of the meadow, there were two brown bears grazing on the meadow grasses. It appeared to be a mother and her two-year-old cub. Some of the kayakers were able to paddle within excellent viewing range. Out on the water, those in kayaks or Zodiacs enjoyed the calm waters, plentiful sunshine and the unusually balmy conditions. There were several northern shoveler ducks as well as some dapper looking harlequin ducks seen in the shoreline waters. We remained at our peaceful anchorage in this remote wilderness into the late night hours.
