Visiting Victoria once more, leftover pics from the November trip

A quick stop to Mountain Equipment Co-Op in downtown Victoria for a little window shopping. Dave is modelling a $450 expedition quality down jacket. I punched him in the stomach after taking this photo and he didn't feel a thing.

A walk along the breakwater is a must during any visit to Victoria.

This sunset was unusually clear enough to see the US border and Port Angeles across the Juan De Fuca Strait, again, at the breakwater.

The rain let up just enough to venture out to the Saanich Observatory, hubris notwithstanding.

I was dismayed to find the 100 year old telescope open to the public for only two hour-long tours a week. 9/11 prompted the government to greatly curtail access.

On our way back to BC Ferries, we made a detour to Goldstream Park for a look at the annual salmon spawn. It also was the beginning of a strong storm front that didn't let up all day.

Chum salmon struggling to spawn in the rapid current.

Ashes to ashes... the predictable end to a four year lifespan.

The storm scared off the lazier gulls who didn't want to dine amid the hassle of pelting rain and whipping wind.

This feckless volunteer fish counter told me there were about 10,000 salmon in the stream on this particular day.

Dave told me to stand there to illustrate the scale of this fallen tree. Since our visit, the Goldstream area lost quite a number of large old trees from the storm. Another ferocious one is expected to blow through this week.

Of course, I've got to add some bear content. There's got to be a few fat bears, what with all this fish everywhere.