Industrial Cowichan Bay

A few industrial scenes in the bay.

The industrial marina juts a long way into the deep sea bay.

A sawmill is part of the industrial bay

And proof of a long industrial history still shows everywhere I look.

Light in Black and White

 It’s an early walk through the estuary again.

Views from Fisherman’s Wharf Cowichan Bay on an unsettled day

Of course the end of November brings dark

 

Views from the Estuary

 

 

 

 

Just wandering and always there is something amazing to observe at the water’s edge. 

North-east of Westcan Terminal in Cowichan Bay: a short walk

 The industrial development in Cowichan Bay has a narrow strip of gravelly beach along its north-east edge. Following are a few photos taken during a walk there. Trumpeter swans are part of the bevy visiting the bay every year.

Trumpeter swans are easily recognizable by their straight black beaks. 

The bay has a long history and some of it still shows. Originally logging filled local mills and Cowichan Bay was an important distribution point using road, rail (a different diameter from regular tracks), and ocean. Its depth allowed large freighters to load their lumber and logs.

During the past century the bay was covered with log booms. Masses of logs tied together and organized by small tug boat operators. Some of these operators, self-employed, earned their money collecting stray logs. And half sunk logs, deadhead logs, were a real danger to boaters. All of that has been discontinued and cleaned up, but heavy industry still is part of the bay’s life and probably always will be. A constantly growing carbuncle on the bay’s face.

Anyway, I enjoy the occasional walk in that area.

Views galore.

Here is the dinosaur turned into a log.

All part of the estuary’s wetlands.

The beach

And the industry

The walk as always was great, the weather today moody, and despite its greyness the scene was visually stimulating.

Roger Massey

 Stopping in, what must be one of the smallest parks in the world, I discovered a bench commemorating my dear brother-in-law Roger Massey.

A nice and surprising find indeed. Sitting there at the edge of Somenos Lake I look at the back of the forest museum. Its iconic railroad track and trestle jut out into the lake.

 

Standing up and making a quarter turn brings the lake into view.

Thank you guys and gals for this wonderful commemoration. It’s a great place to return to and contemplate.

Bright Angel Park and Autumn Leaves