{"id":8669,"date":"2019-07-19T10:52:35","date_gmt":"2019-07-19T02:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/?p=8669"},"modified":"2019-07-21T03:36:14","modified_gmt":"2019-07-20T19:36:14","slug":"the-spectacular-underwater-reefs-of-browning-pass-british-columbia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/the-spectacular-underwater-reefs-of-browning-pass-british-columbia.html","title":{"rendered":"The Spectacular Underwater Reefs of Browning Pass, British Columbia"},"content":{"rendered":"

There it is in a few aerial photos, Browning Pass, site of some of the finest diving in the world. Cold, with nutrient rich current-laden waters, Browning Pass supports some of the richest, most profuse reefs I have seen anywhere in my diving career.<\/p>\n

\"Browning<\/a><\/p>\n

Browning Pass aerial photo, with Nigei Island (left) and Balackava Island (right).
\nImage ID: 35252<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Browning<\/a><\/p>\n

Browning Pass aerial photo, with Nigei Island (left) and Balackava Island (right).
\nImage ID: 35330<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

My most recent trip there was dedicated to shooting expansive images that illustrate how truly dense and colorful is the life that Vancouver Island’s reefs support. I used a circular fisheye for some of my dives, which allowed me to get within a few inches of my subject while still allowing the reef itself to be seen along with maybe a ball of sunlight or some standing bull kelp. I also used a full-frame fisheye, not as extreme a view and without so much distortion but still allowing me to be as close as possible to my subject. We made our dives at slack tide when there is as little water movement as possible, since the alternative is screaming currents too difficult to withstand in a dry suit. These images were a lot of fun to make. Imagine drifting along vertical walls that drop out of sight, covered with colorful life, while gnarled pine trees hang out from the island just overhead. Bald eagles occasionally fly by. We saw a few otters, wolves, Stellar sea lions and orca. One day warm sun and blue skies, drizzle and light rain the next. Unbelievable beauty, calm and serene, with no one about but my diving friends<\/a>, our boat and crew. Starry skies at night, and the comfort and hospitality of God’s Pocket Resort<\/a> to return to after each dive outing. It’s a ocean-lover’s dream. Here are my some of my favorite images from the trip. If you like these, here are few portraits of the marine life of Browning Pass<\/a> as well as images from my first trip to Browning Pass and God’s Pocket<\/a> in 2018. Cheers, and thanks for looking!<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The Fish Eating Anemone Urticina piscivora, a large colorful anemone found on the rocky underwater reefs of Vancouver Island, British Columbia
\nImage ID: 35249<\/a>
\nSpecies: Fish-eating Anemone<\/a>, Urticina piscivora<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Giant<\/a><\/p>\n

Giant Plumose Anemones cover underwater reef, Browning Pass, northern Vancouver Island, Canada
\nImage ID: 35251<\/a>
\nSpecies: Giant Plumose Anemone<\/a>, Metridium farcimen<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Pink<\/a><\/p>\n

Pink Soft Coral (Gersemia Rubiformis), and Plumose Anemones (Metridium senile) cover the ocean reef, Browning Pass, Vancouver Island
\nImage ID: 35260<\/a>
\nSpecies: Plumose Anemone<\/a>, Pink Soft Coral<\/a>, Metridium senile<\/i><\/a>, Gersemia rubiformis<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Vancouver<\/a><\/p>\n

Vancouver Island hosts a profusion of spectacular anemones, on cold water reefs rich with invertebrate life. Browning Pass, Vancouver Island.
\nImage ID: 35268<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Stars<\/a><\/p>\n

Stars at night over Hurst Island, Gods Pocket Resort
\nImage ID: 35272<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"White<\/a><\/p>\n

White metridium anemones fed by strong ocean currents, cover a cold water reef teeming with invertebrate life. Browning Pass, Vancouver Island.
\nImage ID: 35277<\/a>
\nSpecies: Plumose Anemone<\/a>, Metridium senile<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Bull<\/a><\/p>\n

Bull kelp forest near Vancouver Island and Queen Charlotte Strait, Browning Pass, Canada
\nImage ID: 35279<\/a>
\nSpecies: Bull Kelp<\/a>, Nereocystis luetkeana<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Vancouver<\/a><\/p>\n

Vancouver Island hosts a profusion of spectacular anemones, on cold water reefs rich with invertebrate life. Browning Pass, Vancouver Island.
\nImage ID: 35250<\/a>
\nSpecies: Giant Plumose Anemone<\/a>, Metridium farcimen<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The Fish Eating Anemone Urticina piscivora, a large colorful anemone found on the rocky underwater reefs of Vancouver Island, British Columbia
\nImage ID: 35255<\/a>
\nSpecies: Fish-eating Anemone<\/a>, Urticina piscivora<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Giant<\/a><\/p>\n

Giant Plumose Anemones cover underwater reef, Browning Pass, northern Vancouver Island, Canada
\nImage ID: 35267<\/a>
\nSpecies: Giant Plumose Anemone<\/a>, Metridium farcimen<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fleshy<\/a><\/p>\n

Fleshy Sea Pen, Ptilosarcus gurneyi, Vancouver Island
\nImage ID: 35276<\/a>
\nSpecies: Fleshy Sea Pen<\/a>, Ptilosarcus gurneyi<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Moon<\/a><\/p>\n

Moon jelly, Browning Pass, Vancouver Island, Canada
\nImage ID: 35281<\/a>
\nSpecies: Moon jelly<\/a>, Aurelia aurita<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Basket<\/a><\/p>\n

Basket Star and Giant Metridium anemone, Browning Pass, Vancouver Island
\nImage ID: 35287<\/a>
\nSpecies: Basket Star<\/a>, Giant Plumose Anemone<\/a>, Gorgonocephalus eucnemis<\/i><\/a>, Metridium farcimen<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Colorful<\/a><\/p>\n

Colorful starfish (sea stars) cling to the reef, covered with invertebrate life. Browning Pass, Vancouver Island.
\nImage ID: 35293<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"White<\/a><\/p>\n

White metridium anemones fed by strong ocean currents, cover a cold water reef teeming with invertebrate life. Browning Pass, Vancouver Island.
\nImage ID: 35333<\/a>
\nSpecies: Plumose Anemone<\/a>, Metridium senile<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Dive<\/a><\/p>\n

Dive Boat Hurst Island, Browning Pass, Canada, aerial photo
\nImage ID: 35253<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Pink<\/a><\/p>\n

Pink Soft Coral, Gersemia Rubiformis, Browning Pass, Vancouver Island
\nImage ID: 35254<\/a>
\nSpecies: Pink Soft Coral<\/a>, Gersemia rubiformis<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Vancouver<\/a><\/p>\n

Vancouver Island hosts a profusion of spectacular anemones, on cold water reefs rich with invertebrate life. Browning Pass, Vancouver Island.
\nImage ID: 35264<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The Fish Eating Anemone Urticina piscivora, a large colorful anemone found on the rocky underwater reefs of Vancouver Island, British Columbia
\nImage ID: 35273<\/a>
\nSpecies: Fish-eating Anemone<\/a>, Urticina piscivora<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Yellow<\/a><\/p>\n

Yellow sulphur sponge and white metridium anemones, on a cold water reef teeming with invertebrate life. Browning Pass, Vancouver Island.
\nImage ID: 35280<\/a>
\nSpecies: Plumose Anemone<\/a>, Bread crumb sponge<\/a>, Metridium senile<\/i><\/a>, Halichondria panicea<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Giant<\/a><\/p>\n

Giant Plumose Anemones cover underwater reef, Browning Pass, northern Vancouver Island, Canada
\nImage ID: 35284<\/a>
\nSpecies: Giant Plumose Anemone<\/a>, Metridium farcimen<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Colorful<\/a><\/p>\n

Colorful starfish (sea stars) cling to the reef, covered with invertebrate life. Browning Pass, Vancouver Island.
\nImage ID: 35294<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Mussels<\/a><\/p>\n

Mussels gather on a rocky reef, filtering nutrients from passing ocean currents. Browning Pass, Vancouver Island.
\nImage ID: 35310<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Clouds<\/a><\/p>\n

Clouds over Nigei Island at sunrise, Vancouver Island, Canada
\nImage ID: 35378<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Metridium<\/a><\/p>\n

Metridium senile anemones cover the reef below a forest of bull kelp, Browning Pass, Vancouver Island
\nImage ID: 35289<\/a>
\nSpecies: Plumose Anemone<\/a>, Bull Kelp<\/a>, Metridium senile<\/i><\/a>, Nereocystis luetkeana<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Typical<\/a><\/p>\n

Typical vibrant invertebrate life, Browning Pass, Vancouver Island.
\nImage ID: 35309<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sea<\/a><\/p>\n

Sea urchins cling to a shallow reef in Browning Pass, Vancouver Island.
\nImage ID: 35323<\/a>
\nLocation: British Columbia<\/a>, Canada<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There it is in a few aerial photos, Browning Pass, site of some of the finest diving in the world. Cold, with nutrient rich current-laden waters, Browning Pass supports some of the richest, most profuse reefs I have seen anywhere in my diving career. Browning Pass aerial photo, with Nigei…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8683,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[368,64,123,126],"tags":[369,353,330],"class_list":{"0":"post-8669","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-browning-pass","8":"category-canada","9":"category-underwater-photography","10":"category-vancouver","11":"tag-browning-pass","12":"tag-canada","13":"tag-underwater"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8669","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8669"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8669\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}