I must down go to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. ~ John Masefield, Sea Fever
I couldn’t make out the name on this sailboat until after I got home and zoomed the image on my computer. It read “Outnumbered”, an unusual name for a boat, I thought — perhaps coined by a parent with numerous family members of the opposite sex?
Yesterday morning I took this shot of two sailboats crossing paths as they headed out for the day. Normally at this time of year the sky would be clear, but we’ve had quite a bit of cloudy, showery weather lately and it feels like summer hasn’t really started yet.
In some ways it’s good: I haven’t had to hand-water our new garden plants as much, the grass is still pretty green, and the fire hazard for the island is rated as “moderate” as opposed to “high” or “extreme”. Still, I bet island visitors would appreciate a few hot sunny days. Maybe come August?
This photo was taken on a beautiful morning when clouds of rolling mist were changing the scene by the moment, alternately hiding and revealing a sailboat anchored in the bay.
I’ve met the owner of this sailboat. He lives on it with his very young daughter and their very large dog.
Pender Island, British Columbia
We first crossed paths one morning after the dad had rowed his daughter and their dog to shore. The little girl is a cutie-pie and a real chatterbox. She informed me she was on her way to school. When I asked if she was in kindergarten, she looked at me as if I were a complete moron and scoffed, “No, I’m in PRE-school!” She then practically told me her whole life story, including some details I probably shouldn’t have heard. I got the impression her dad is looking for living accommodations on the island, but for now the boat is their temporary home.
I can’t imagine that staying on a boat over the winter would be very comfortable, even in our fairly mild climate. I hope they find something soon.
We’ve had some interesting weather patterns moving through our area over the past week. Here, shafts of sunlight pierced a huge black cloud, spotlighting a lone sailboat.
As I was taking the picture, I noticed a few crows flying through the frame. I timed it so this particular crow would appear to be acting as a guide for the boat.
I love this time of year. Variable weather makes for interesting skies for land- and seascapes, while the temperatures are still pleasant.
Boats at anchor just before sunset.
I had to go searching in the archives for this shot, taken this past January. You don’t often see sailboats around here in the dead of winter.
Salal Studio 