Desolation Sound was named by Captain George Vancouver when he first surveyed the area in 1792. Now a very popular place for boating in the summer months, the sound is quite the opposite of “desolate” and teeming with life—both in the water and on the shore.

Plentiful harbor seals were basking in the sunshine. Their mottled patterns matched the rocky intertidal perfectly, and all we could see were big, circular eyes staring at us intently. Large aggregations of moon jellies gracefully pulsed through rich marine waters, and purple sea stars stuck to submerged rocky walls. We spotted several oystercatchers, gulls, and a great blue heron plus a couple river otters scampering around on shore. What a gorgeous day to enjoy this picturesque landscape!