Bottom Up

A few years ago, we journeyed deep into the remote beauty of the Great Bear Rainforest, guided by a local Indigenous knowledge keeper, in search of the elusive spirit bear. Over the course of that unforgettable week, we traveled by boat through winding coastal channels, exploring hidden corners of this wild and sacred place. To our amazement, we were fortunate enough to encounter four spirit bears—each sighting feeling like a quiet gift from the forest itself.

But the magic didn’t end at the shoreline.

As we crossed the vast, glassy waters between destinations, we were often joined by the playful presence of humpback whales. Without warning, these incredible giants would rise from the depths, launching their massive bodies into the air before slipping back beneath the surface with a grace that seemed almost impossible for their size. Other times, they would dive deep, lifting their tails high above the water—revealing the beautiful patterns on the underside of their flukes, each one as unique as a fingerprint.

It’s humbling to realize that with just a few powerful strokes of that tail, a whale can propel its 30-ton body completely out of the ocean.

Moments like these have a way of holding you still… caught somewhere between awe and gratitude. Watching these gentle giants move with such strength and elegance is something I never tire of—and a reminder, every time, of just how incredible and alive this natural world truly is.

-Stan Masters

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