What you see here is a gull ''walking'' on the water while pursuing a sea lion that is underwater. We can see the back of the sea lion while it's foraging for herring in the shallow waters. The gull hopes to steal the herring from the sea lion when it emerges. This is a good example of stalking in the natural world.
A view of Vancouver Island this morning. The roe herring seine fishery opened yesterday.
It was fun trying to photograph bald eagles grabing herring from the sea. There were so many bald eagles flying above our head. This one was returning to a tree with its catch.
Two bald eagles fighting over a herring that one of them just dropped. Photo taken a few days ago during one of my Herring Spawn photo tours on the east coast of Vancouver Island.
Bald eagle flying away with a herring. Photo taken yesterday on my Herring Spawn photo tour on the east coast of Vancouver Island.
Bald eagles and sea lions fighting over herring that have just spawn as you can see from the colour of the sea.
Photo taken during my photo tours in the last few days on the east coast of Vancouver Island.
The herring spawn is still going strong and I have some availability this week for tours: https://www.catherinebabault.com/workshops
A raft of sea lions in the sea that has turned milky turquoise due to the milt of herring spawning.
It was an amazing photo tour today. Very active spawn for miles on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Beautiful weather. Lots of great photo opportunities. It's not too late to sign up for a private tour with me.
A Northwestern crow (Corvus caurinus) finds a Pacific herring lying at its feet and can't believe its luck! (From my archives.)
Spectacular sunrise this morning on Vancouver Island.
The herring is still spawning. Sea lions and gulls are fighting over them. Cormorants and ducks are keeping an eye on bald eagles circling in the sky. Minks and river otters are too busy foraging at the moment for an interview. Sorry.
The herring spawn has started in some areas on the East coast of Vancouver Island. This photo of sea lions resting in a spawn was taken last year.
Early start for me tomorrow to capture this amazing event. There are still spots available on my photo tours or ask for a private one (details on my website).
The herring spawn on Vancouver Island happens around March, it attracts a lot of wildlife. I give photo tours each year. Here's what you could see on my tours: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP5H2hQQoSc Limited to 3 persons per tour, sign up early: https://www.catherinebabault.com/workshops
At the moment on Vancouver Island: people looking for orcas. Orcas looking for sea lions. Sea lions looking for herring. Herring looking to spawn.
Photo from my archives.
The sea lions are here and ready for the herring spawn on the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Sea lions are showing up in big numbers at the moment on the east coast of Vancouver Island. They are here for the herring spawn. Me too! 
These two came pretty close to me. I was on my knees at the edge of the water taking photos of ducks when they emerged to check me out.
Steller sea lion on the left and the other one is a California sea lion (identifiable with the ''bump'' on its head).
There is a lot of wildlife activity at the moment with the herring spawn only a few weeks away on Vancouver Island.
I shot hundreds of photos yesterday and today of Steller and California sea lions, bald eagles, surf scooters, buffleheads, eared grebes, long-tailed ducks, common goldeneyes, red-breasted mergansers, loons, oyster catchers...
No matter the rain and cold wind, it won't stop me! This is only the beginning of one of the most exciting time of the year in the area.
I photographed this river otter last year in March during the herring spawn. It was rubbing its back on a boulder. Probably had a belly full of herring. Looked very healthy and happy.
For #WorldWhaleDay I have a photo of an orca and gulls enjoying the herring spawn on the east coast of Vancouver Island. I took this photo last year during a private photo tour.
I offer group photo tours and also private ones during the herring spawn. Contact me for details or check my website: https://www.catherinebabault.com/workshops
Sea lion enjoying the herring spawn last year on the east coast of Vancouver Island, BC. This spectacular annual event happens between February and April and peaks in March. It attracts many species, humans included.
I am really looking forward to it.
The herring spawn on Vancouver Island is fast approaching. This is one of my favourite time of the year for wildlife photography, so much action! So many species congregating for the feast.
Learn more: https://www.catherinebabault.com/blog/2025/1/24/2025-herring-spawn-on-vancouver-island
The herring spawn on Vancouver Island happens around March, it attracts a lot of wildlife. I give photo tours each year. Here's what you could see on my tours: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP5H2hQQoSc Limited to 3 persons per tour, sign up early: https://www.catherinebabault.com/workshops
