Gallery: #LoveTheSalishSea 2021 Photo Contest

Enjoy these images that demonstrate what people love about living close to the Salish Sea! TIP: Click on the images to see them in a larger format and to be able to scroll.

The #LoveTheSalishSea 2021 Photo Contest is now closed. We wish to congratulate the winners:

Gold: Derek Zandvliet, for the stormy skies from Davis Bay Beach, Sechelt
Silver: Daniel Lacy, for his portrait of an otter and rockfish catch, at Clover Point in Victoria
Bronze: Ken Cheng, for the owl flying along West Dyke Trail in Richmond
An Honorable Mention goes to Erin MacKenzie for the beautiful sunset in Victoria!

Thanks to all participants for your striking snapshots, it made for a very difficult selection process! We’d also like to thank our prize sponsors: Cusheon Lake Resort, Seaflora Skincare, and Fanny Bay Oysters.

: GSA: 2021 Photo Contest

: Ananda Korchynski: Humpback whale breach near Swanson Island

: Eugenio C: On the ferry, en route home to Vancouver

: Cheryl O: Vancouver Seawall

: Gene Helfman: River Otters at Shallow Bay 2

: Ken Weiner: School of fish near Beulah Island

: Ken Weiner: Seal at Kinghorn Island

: Gene Helfman: River Otter at Shallow Bay

: Lucero Gonzalez Ruiz: The view from Bowen Island

: Michelle Young: Gerry oaks in Drumbeg Provincial Park on Gabriola Island

: Ken Weiner: Climate change sunset at Okeover Inlet

: Ken Weiner: Blue heron in afternoon light near Beulah Island

: Ken Weiner: Orca family swimming upstream in Malaspina Strait

: Ken Weiner: Rainbow over Beulah Island

: Diane Lake: Barred Owl at Stanley Park Seawall

: Diane Lake: Hummingbird at Jericho wetlands

: Diane Lake: Harbour Seal at Jericho pier

: Diane Lake: Great Blue Heron at Jericho wetlands

: Stephen Rees: Seal popping up to watch the fishermen at the Jericho pier

: Stephen Rees: Bald Eagle at Jericho Beach

: Stephen Rees: Great Blue Heron at Jericho Beach Park

: Christopher Pugh: After moving to Gibsons from AB where winter is cold but sunny I was concerned I would miss the Sunshine during the winter, but I honestly fell in love with the rain and the mist. Location: Secret Beach near Gibsons

: Christopher Pugh: So grateful to live in an area with so many recreation opportunities. Location: Tin Hat mountain on the Sunshine Coast

: Sara Agnew: 35-pound salmon caught outside Powell River

: Sara Agnew: Sunshine Coast

: Sara Agnew

: Sara Agnew: One of my good friends passed away kayaking this water a couple of years ago, so now I go every sunset I can to feel close to him. Because this is what we shared together. Location: Roberts Creek, Henderson Beach

: Sara Agnew: Sunshine Coast

: Celeste Martin: I love canoeing on the Salish Sea! It’s usually calm, full of life, and beautiful. Location: Descanso Park, Gabriola Island

: Diane Lake: Spherical sea urchins with pointy spines by Hornby Island. Amazing how they move around using special tube feet underneath their bodies that create suction

: John Pappas: This location at Lion’s Bay is my go to spot for shedding stress, looking out over the wonderful sea where orcas swim and seals play while I decompress life worries.

: Kathy Younker: A very enthusiastic swimmer, with a very large salmon in his talons, heading for Spieden Island

: Larry MacDonald: Sunsets are stunning seen from north of Powell River

: Linda Gray: I was very pleased to capture the strange and beautiful blending of the sea and the sky and the Egg yolk jellyfish in this image taken in Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island

: Richard Jack: Thetis Island is located in the Gulf Islands

: Richard Jack: Thetis Island

: Terry Trapnell: I have visited this Fish Eating Anemone (urticina piscivora) in Maple Bay every year since I discovered him six years ago. Every year there is some trepidation as to whether he will still be there and healthy. So far so good.

: Terry Trapnell. I was snorkeling when I came upon this gorgeous Lion’s Mane Jelly (cyanea capillata) near Separation Point. The light and ocean colour made for an interesting photo opportunity

: Richard Jack: Thetis Island

: Tracy Ferreira: The beauty of the Salish Sea and the opportunities it offers. Off of East Sooke Park in Juan de Fuca

: Terry Trapnell: This beautiful Humpback whale swam very close as we were kayaking near Saltspring Island. What a blessed experience!

: Cheyenne Brewster: Middle of the Strait of Georgia, outside of Porlier Pass (telephoto lens) on AV vessel

: Cheyenne Brewster: Middle of the Strait of Georgia, outside of Porlier Pass (telephoto lens) on AV vessel

: Cheyenne Brewster: Middle of the Strait of Georgia, outside of Porlier Pass (telephoto lens) on AV vessel

: Cheyenne Brewster: Middle of the Strait of Georgia, outside of Porlier Pass (telephoto lens) on AV vessel

: Larry MacDonald: Seals on navigational aid near Nanaimo

: Mike Lane: I went on a whale watching trip out of Sidney. Very exciting to go through Active Pass and see orcas just as we emerged.

: Shannon Lavender: I am always amazed at the amount of life on the ocean beaches and in the water. Photos can’t do justice to the beauty that surrounds one while walking any shore on the Salish sea. Near Campbell River.

: Shannon Lavender: I am always amazed at the amount of life on the ocean beaches and in the water. Photos can’t do justice to the beauty that surrounds one while walking any shore on the Salish sea. Near Campbell River.

: Shannon Lavender: I am always amazed at the amount of life on the ocean beaches and in the water. Photos can’t do justice to the beauty that surrounds one while walking any shore on the Salish sea. Near Campbell River.

: Shannon Lavender: I am always amazed at the amount of life on the ocean beaches and in the water. Photos can’t do justice to the beauty that surrounds one while walking any shore on the Salish sea. Near Campbell River.

: Shannon Lavender: I am always amazed at the amount of life on the ocean beaches and in the water. Photos can’t do justice to the beauty that surrounds one while walking any shore on the Salish sea. Near Campbell River.

: Ron Smith: I love the abundance of fresh seafood. West Vancouver.

: Margaret Buttner: Parker Island sunsets in the Gulf Islands are spectacular as the sky constantly changes as the sun goes down

: Liana Robinson: taken from my mama in law’s backyard. I adore visiting her and being able to enjoy Vancouver Island nature at its best while having time with family!

: Liana Robinson: Vancouver Island sunset

: Liana Robinson: Vancouver Island sunset

: Liana Robinson: The deer are taken from my mama in law’s backyard.

: Liana Robinson: Vancouver Island sunset

: Leanne Brunelle: Burgoyne Bay – SSI, B.C.

: Leanne Brunelle: Hornby Is., B.C.

: Leanne Brunelle: Morning Sunrise Long Harbour – SSI, B.C.

: Leanne Brunelle: Burgoyne Bay sunset – SSI, B.C.

: Leanne Brunelle: Fulford Harbour Coastline in Autumn – SSI, B.C.

: Jennie Wyatt. The Salish Sea is restorative and peaceful at Ruckle Park.

: Jennie Wyatt. The Salish Sea is restorative and peaceful at Ruckle Park.

: Jennie Wyatt. The Salish Sea is restorative and peaceful at Ruckle Park.

: Faye Turner: Spirit Bay, BC.

: Faye Turner: The fog, the trees, the sea ,the feeling of being alive…Muir Creek, BC

: Faye Turner: We went hiking…mountains, oceans and wilderness…everything you could want with the ocean telling us a storm is rolling in….at Port Renfrew pier

: Erin MacKenzie: Beautiful views of the Salish Sea from inside a sandstone cave on Gabriola Island that is estimated to be 3000 years old.

: Erin MacKenzie: A beautiful waterfall at Sandcut Beach. I was able to get behind it to take a different perspective at Sandcut Beach in Port Renfrew.

: Erin MacKenzie: Three transient killer whales with the mist from their blows, being caught in the sunlight.

: Erin MacKenzie: A beautiful sunset over the Salish Sea near Victoria, Vancouver Island.

: Erin MacKenzie: Went on a private charter for whale watching from Campbell River. This magnificent giant decided to give us quite the show (taken with telephoto lens)

: Daniel Lacy: I love the scenery and wildlife that is to be found on one’s doorstep around southern Vancouver Island, Witty’s Lagoon.

: Christie MacDougall: End of summer sunset in Kitsilano, Vancouver

: Chelsea Merryfield: The ability to see so much fascinating wildlife in their natural element makes me realize the need to respect and preserve this area for their benefit so future generations can gain the joy we do from the diversity of this beautiful place we are privileged to call home, kayaking

: Chelsea Merryfield, kayaking near Gabriola Island (telephoto lens)

: Caitlin Laidlaw: The humpback comeback is a conservation success story not many people are aware of in the Salish Sea. With the last humpback hunted for its oil and baleen in 1906, it took nearly 100 years for a humpback to return to the area. Now scientists have documented over 500 in the area. These graceful giants and here to stay, and proof of the resiliency of nature.

: Brandi Deschambault: The smell of the salt water and the warmth of the morning sun inspires me each day, Gabriola Island

: Allyson De Roy: our engines stayed off the entire time and all laws were respected

: Allyson De Roy: The Salish Sea’s amazing and unique ecosystem gave us this once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

: Elizabeth Zehanoviz: Coming home across the Salish Sea always brings joy. Returning to Nanaimo from Tsawwassen.

: Elizabeth Zehanoviz: Coming home across the Salish Sea always brings joy. Returning to Nanaimo from Tsawwassen.

: Elizabeth Zehanoviz: Coming home across the Salish Sea always brings joy. Returning to Nanaimo from Tsawwassen.

: Darrell Shibley: Rebecca’s spit, Quadra Island

: Darrell Shibley: Drew Harbour sunset, Quadra Island

: Darrell Shibley: Curme Islands

: Darrell Shibley: Copeland Islands

: Darrell Shibley: I Love the beautiful open spaces and the calmness it brings me. Quadra Island.

: Daniel Lacy: I often go down to Clover Point in the morning to observe the various wild creatures that frequent the area. River otters are often to be seen fishing along the rocks there and I was fortunate to be in the right place when this beautiful otter swam ashore with a large rockfish. Victoria waterfront (telephoto zoom)

: Ron Smith: Being able to easily escape our busy lives to spend time with the people we love, enjoying beautiful views. This is my daughter and niece hanging out during our annual family vacation on Salt Spring Island.

: Kimberly Nielsen: Members of J-pod travel up the coast of San Juan Island in their Salish Sea core summer habitat (photo taken while conducting SRKW research with Oceans Initiative).

: Kimberly Nielsen: Members of J-pod travel up the coast of San Juan Island in their Salish Sea core summer habitat (photo taken while conducting SRKW research with Oceans Initiative).

: Kimberly Nielsen: Members of J-pod travel up the coast of San Juan Island in their Salish Sea core summer habitat (photo taken while conducting SRKW research with Oceans Initiative).

: Kimberly Nielsen: Members of J-pod travel up the coast of San Juan Island in their Salish Sea core summer habitat (photo taken while conducting SRKW research with Oceans Initiative).

: Kimberly Nielsen: Members of J-pod travel up the coast of San Juan Island in their Salish Sea core summer habitat (photo taken while conducting SRKW research with Oceans Initiative).

: Ken Cheng: Along the West Dyke in Richmond B.C., especially during the winter, you get to see wildlife from birds of prey to coyotes that almost look very wolf-like. FE 200-600mm

: Ken Cheng: Pitt Lake is only about an hour’s drive from the concrete jungle of downtown Vancouver. It’s super peaceful and absolutely beautiful! From around April to July, you get to see Ospreys in their stages of growing their families. FE 200-600mm

: Ken Cheng: I love living here because of the many different wildlife we get to see… Oftentimes from the dyke, they flyby like you’re not even there. Richmond, BC/West Dyke. Sony FE 200-600mm

: Shayne Kaye: While at a rugged Pacific Coast beach on the southern part of Vancouver Island, I tried to capture the balance of nature hanging out peacefully along the rough ocean waves. Sombrio area, Vancouver Island

: Shayne Kaye: There’s a beach about 10km from Victoria that gives a perfectly lined up view of the distant Mt. Baker above the city. I knew the sunrise would be lined up this morning, and I was lucky enough to catch a fishing Great Blue Heron to complete the scene. Metchosin.

: Shayne Kaye: Metchosin

: Shayne Kaye: I was shooting off Whiffin Spit in Sooke and, after waiting quite a while, a bald eagle finally flew into the frame I had lined up with the distant shoreline, mountains, and some great low clouds.

: Shayne Kaye: A perfectly-posed set of cormorants. The two species were arranged with Pelagic on the outsides and Brandt’s in the middle. near Protection Island off Sequim, Washington

: Ron Smith: On the ferry traveling between Nanaimo and Tsawwassen.

: Ron Smith: On the ferry traveling between Nanaimo and Tsawwassen.

: Ken Cheng: Some owls are nocturnal and sleep all day, some are diurnal (meaning active during the day), it’s nice to see these birds of prey in British Columbia during the winter season… Short-Eared Owls are one of the more active owls during the day. Delta BC/Brunswick Point, 200-600mm

: Derek Zandvliet: The Salish Sea, for me, is a place of inspiration. The waters stir up adventure, galvanize wonder, and secure a space of welcoming calm. What I love is how the ebbs and floods of this water, in turn cause currents of emotion and sensation within the boundaries of my own skin. My photos are attempts to capture those diverse moments and feelings. Stanley Park

: Derek Zandvliet: Iona Beach

: Derek Zandvliet: Desolation Sound

: Derek Zandvliet: Davis Bay Beach

: Derek Zandvliet: Curme Island

: Ananda Korchynski: It was our first trip to BC and we were blown away by the beauty, this photo reminded me of why we moved here. Broughton Archipelago near the Paddlers Inn

: Jill Hein: I was so excited to see an unusual bird in the Salish Sea. I believe this to be a “Short-tailed Shearwater”, shearing the water per its name.