Island Views

The islands of Haida Gwaii are a beautiful coastal environment. There are many birds and sea mammals, including a few endemic species. Though we are not birdwatchers, we saw and heard many unusual (to us) species.

Everywhere there are huge cedar, spruce and hemlock trees forming a temperate rainforest.

Normally, the islands’ weather is misty rain, typical of the Pacific Northwest. How else could there be a rainforest?

We enjoyed sunshine during our whole visit, except for one morning. That’s Tow Hill behind Julie. It's the inside of an old volcano. We could never find out why it’s called “Tow” Hill.

The Haida Indians use the yellow cedar trees to carve their totem poles.

Of course, there are many amazing wonders, like the Balanced Rock, which has remained unmoved by tidal changes, fierce storms and demented computer scientists.

Our favorite activity was tide-pooling.