Metro Semeniuk

One of the more unusual instruments played by buskers belongs to Metro Semeniuk. It's the hammered dulcimer and it produces wonderful bell-like tones when he plays it. The photo above is a snapshot from the video that I shot on Fisherman's Wharf here in Victoria a few weeks ago. Metro divides his time between Fisherman's Wharf and the Inner Harbor.

John McCallum

If you look carefully just left of center in the photo above you'll see one of my favorite Causeway Artists, singer/songwriter John McCallum. I've enjoyed John's music for years now both on the Inner Harbor Causeway and on Fisherman's Wharf where this photo was taken. As well as tuneful, his songs are thoughtful and often wryly humorous. If you get a chance to hear him, sit down and listen closely. You won't be disappointed. Below is a clip of John's version of Folsom Prison Blues. The audio doesn't do justice to John's sound, which is much better in person, but the video may give you some idea of what Fisherman's Wharf looks like from a busker's perspective.

Wintry

Well, our snow is all gone this morning but winter's not relaxing its grip much. Here's a view from the West Bay Walkway looking towards Fisherman's Wharf and some of the resort hotels near Shoal Point.

Vic West Sunrise

Once again, while the rest of you were still drooling into your duvets I was early-birding it before sunrise to bring you this morning's fresh photos. Actually, the doctor has ordered more exercise so I went for a walk early to get it over with and discovered all sorts of lovely things I have not shown you before. This sculpture is part of a beach installation by Rich Rico. That's the Shoal Point condominium in the background there, with Fisherman's Wharf just to the left of it. Below is a video of Rich Rico that shows a bit more of his beach creation.

Dawn II

Yesterday's photo was taken from Songhees Point, one end of the Westsong Walkway, the other end of which is Westbay Marina in Esquimalt. Today's photo was taken from the same place at the same time but facing more westerly towards the houseboats and fishing boats of Fisherman's Wharf. That's the Shoal Point Condominium in the background.

Fisherman's Wharf II

I mentioned yesterday that fisherman's Wharf has a number of shops and eateries. Above is Barb's Fish and Chips - one of the more popular, though everything I've tried on the wharf has been tasty. The kids to the right are obviously enjoying their ice cream cones while waiting to get aboard the nearby Harbor Ferry. Fisherman's Wharf is one of the scheduled stops for these cute little ferries that will carry you anywhere you like to go in the harbor or up the Gorge.

Fisherman's Wharf

Victoria is a tourist town. I quite like this and I often feel like tourist here myself since I enjoy many of the things that visitors do. One of the places where I often go is Fisherman's Wharf. As well as being home to a number of bona fide fishing boats, floating fish and seafood markets, snack bars and art galleries, it is also the site of a community of houseboats such as those pictured above. These picturesque homes are surprisingly inexpensive (compared to house prices here in Victoria). The home to the left is for sale now, priced at $199,000.

Autumn Lawn

Victoria is usually very dry during the summer months and lawns tend to brown out. But with the return of the cool wet weather in fall, while the trees are losing their leaves, the lawns are experiencing a second spring. This lawn was actually greener than in the photo but I turned the saturation down because nobody would believe it otherwise. This photo was taken from a Victoria West condo area called the Songhees, across the Inner Harbour from Fisherman's Wharf and its colorful houseboats.

Causeway Artist #11 - John McCallum

In yesterday's post about Fisherman's Wharf I mentioned entertainment. There's often a fortune teller and palm reader, and usually there's a musician. If you're lucky you'll catch a performance by singer/songwriter John McCallum. I've really enjoyed his music and the wry wit and wisdom that make his songs worth listening to.

Fisherman's Wharf

The Inner Harbor mostly hosts pleasure craft and boats catering to tourists such as sailing and whale-watching excursions. But about twenty minutes walk from the Inner Harbor along the seawall (or a five minute ferry ride) is Fisherman's Wharf. Here there are many fishing boats and picturesque houseboats, as well as fresh seafood, art galleries, restaurants, hungry harbor seals and more entertainment. Below is a favorite food stop of mine, Grilligan's, which features vegetarian chili made with tofu, and there's lots of other good things on the menu too.The boy in the picture above is standing on the wharf. The man behind the counter to his right is on his floating food stand. They are so close together you may not notice that they are not really connected until you lean on the counter, like I did one afternoon, and a sudden wave shifts the restaurant up or down a few inches. Grilligan's also has a water-level "drive through" at the back for kayakers who need a veggie-dog to go.

Reflections

There are many cliché (or classic, depending on your attitude) photo subjects. For instance, I doubt if any photographer can resist a lighthouse. I couldn't and I'm willing to bet that if you are a photographer and there is a lighthouse anywhere nearby, you have photographed it a dozen times. Well, here's another - watery reflections. I've got dozens of these and I love them, but normally I treat them as private pleasures. I'm sharing this one, however, because it's like a rippled Mondrian, and leads nicely into tomorrow's post on Fisherman's Wharf, where this reflection was captured.

Fisherman's Wharf - Harbour Seals

Some Victoria residents such as the harbour seal above prefer to live under Fisherman's Wharf, thus avoiding costly moorage fees while yet retaining easy access to tourists for research purposes. The three seals below, for instance, are attempting to find out if it is possible to communicate with these migratory creatures. Good luck!

Fisherman's Wharf Houseboats

Just a few minutes from downtown is Fisherman's Wharf, where some of Victoria's residents moor their houseboats.

Harbour Ferry

I thought I might as well continue with this transportation theme. These little boats that look like children's toys are a very handy way of getting around the Inner Harbour. Behind the ferry on the left are some houseboats moored at Fisherman's Wharf, where one can feed friendly harbour seals, buy fresh seafood directly from fishing boats, or eat some excellent fish and chips.