This website is the personal photo "showpository" and "blah-blah-blog" of Christopher Zylstra, captain and naturalist for various whale watch and marine adventure tourism operators in Victoria BC. Moreover it is a thank you, a way to show gratitude for the interest in marine life shown by my passengers. If you didn't pay to go whale watching, I wouldn't get paid to go whale watching. Being your guide to the water world surrounding me is an honour, privilege and indescribable joy.
Check out the "geoblogging" of individual trips on the home page, created by saved GPS tracks mashed up with satellite maps, and photos actually taken on that trip with a GPS antenna equipped camera.
You probably got here because you were on one of my trips and I promised you hi resolution photos for downnload - searchable by trip time and date. This site also houses a gallery of some of my favourite images and audio/video presentations comprised of those images as well.
Everything we do affects the animals around us... hopefully, by these and other efforts, not all of it is negative.
Straitwatch operates stewardship vessels in Johnstone St. (Northern Resident Orca stewardship) and S. Haro/Juan de Fuca (New, 2007, Southern Resident orca stewardship). From June to September the Straitwatch crew monitors whale watching activities and promotes the marine mammal viewing guidelines. The project aims to work with the community to increase awareness of marine conservation issues. Straitwatch needs your support. Please consider donating time, equipment or money HERE.
Most easily but not most accurately described as US version of "Straitwatch", Soundwatch is known primarily for educating whale-watching boaters. Soundwatch also patrols the boundaries of marine protected areas, such as National Wildlife Refuges and Bottomfish Recovery Zones, and conducts bird surveys. The Soundwatch boat is also used for responding to strandings of marine mammals.
Click image for full size view. This Virginia Class US Naval nuclear submarine was photographed in a convoy with two support tugs and two USCG cutters, all seen in other photographs in this section. "Displacing approximately 7,800 tons with a length of 370 feet, Virginia is longer but lighter than the previous Seawolf-class of submarines.The 132-member crew can launch Tomahawk land-attack missiles from 12 vertical launch system tubes and Mark 48 advanced capability torpedoes from four 21-inch torpedo tubes. Virginia will be able to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea forces. Other missions Virginia will conduct include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, special forces delivery and support, and mine delivery and minefield mapping.