Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/510262
I 'm on the deck of Vancouver Whale Watch's boat, Explorathor II, south of Vancouver Island, whale-watching in Juan de Fuca Strait. Suddenly, Captain John Bulmer shouts, "Off to starboard: there's an orca superpod!" Looking left, we watch 88 killer whales swimming about and playing for about an hour before they disappear. After they're gone, our group of 40 passen- gers erupts into excited chatter: talk about being at the right place at the right time! Wildlife watching is like that: Mother Nature rules. Superpods occur when family groups congregate to socialize, hunt and check out mating partners. Such large groups are rarely seen. Wildlife abounds in Canada due to the country's vast expanses of varied topog- raphy and some extreme wilderness terri- tory. Here you can discover mountains, forests, grasslands, lakes, rivers and ocean waters, all home to various wildlife. Even in many urban landscapes, coyotes, mink, owls, herons and more thrive. However, just because we are in an animal's habitat, sightings are never guaranteed. If you're keen on animals, consider joining a guided excursion over several hours or days, and visit interpretation centres to learn about species' habitats and needs. This way, if you do see wildlife, you'll appreciate it much more. And another thing. All operators I mention follow best practices, meaning the welfare of the animals is paramount. Where to go? What to see? Here are some ideas. CALL OF THE WILD BY KATHARINE FLETCHER TOP: Hike among awe-inspiring natural wonders in Fundy National Park in New Brunswick. New Brunswick Department of Tourism and Parks CENTRE: Churchill, located on Hudson Bay, is home to belugas and polar bears. Travel Manitoba DREAMSCAPES SPRING/SUMMER 2015 14 CANADA'S DIVERSE HABITATS OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECTACULAR WILDLIFE VIEWING.