In a spectacle taken right out of National Geographic, hundreds of sea lions have taken over a small beach on the mid Island.
The sandy spit in Deep Bay is now the scene of a major haul-out as the beasts presumably await the herring run.
It’s a sight that long time residents here have never witnessed before.
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“Oh, just to see nature up close like this is pretty spectacular,” said Gary Holisko.
“The sea lions come every year but they are usually on the docks or just floating around but we’ve never seen anything like this,” said 25-year Deep Bay resident Olga McClean.
The sight is leaving some people almost speechless.
“I, it’s, it’s kind of hard to believe, it’s a little surreal, I’ve never been this close to them before,” said Gregory Vinnish.
The sea lions are hauling out on the spit at the end of Mapleguard Point, a beautiful spot year round and now hundreds of sea lions know it as well.
“Well we see them out in the marina, we’ve seen them out in the floats in the marina but this is the first year we’ve seen them up on the beach out of the water and they’re really interesting and they’re noisy,” added Rosanne Hood.
“I can imagine just a few come up then a few more come up and then, this is twice as many as there were yesterday,” stated Ken McClean.
It’s like something you see and hear on National Geographic and the sea lions are likely here waiting for the annual herring run.
Several boats from the herring fishing fleet are also waiting on the water near the north end of Lambert Channel between Denman and Hornby islands, anticipating an opening announced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada any day now.
“So when it gets close the boats are out looking for the schools of herring and then they set on them when the opening happens,” said former herring fisherman Oliver Clifton who was also checking out the sea lions Sunday.
Bev Simpson heard about them on social media and decided to jump in her car and drive from Parksville to see them for herself.
“I love them because I’m an artist and wanted to see what I paint and yeah I think they’re interesting, they’re kind of like cats, you know they’re just lazy, lay in the sun until there’s something to eat,” Simpson said.
“I came up to take pictures of kingfishers and longtails and lo and behold the sea lions were here so I’ve been here for about five hours just loving the day, it’s amazing,” said Rolf.
No one’s really sure how long these visitors plan on staying.
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