Nice Bike Rack

The art of the Native Peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast is world famous and of course we have lots of it around here but I thought this was an especially nice modern example of it on a bike rack at Fisherman's Wharf. I don't know who did the Orca design but it is very attractive.

Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf was busy over the long weekend too. That crowd on the right are watching the harbour seals, a popular attraction.

Fisherman's Wharf 4

People come to Fisherman's Wharf for many reasons but one of the main reasons is food and there's lots of good stuff to eat, even if you don't like fish.

It seemed to me only appropriate that a Fisherman's Wharf post dedicated to food should start off with a fisheye view (above) - courtesy my 17mm Takumar fisheye lens. It gives a pretty good view of the central food area of the wharf and the Mexcan Seafood provider Puerto Vallarta Amigos and the Rock and Rolls Sushi House. Barb's Fish and Chips is just visible on the left. Below is the billboard menu of Grilligan's.

On the left below, Barb's Fish and Chips; center The Fish Store; and on the right is Jackson's Ice Cream

Fisherman's Wharf 3

Fisherman's Wharf is a multi-media experience and part of that is the music. There's almost always one of our local musicians performing somewhere on the wharf. I was lucky to catch Jean Bedard's cool guitar stylings when I was last down there. (As a photographer I was also lucky to catch him without the crowd that is usually surrounding him.)

Fisherman's Wharf 2

Lots of people, especially families with children, like to come to Fisherman's Wharf to feed the seals. There are otters too, a couple of them, and the seals seem to be getting more numerous - I counted six when I was there the other day. These are "wild" Harbour Seals but they seem to have learned that the spectators enjoy being splashed. They splash the people and the people throw food to them. Everybody's happy.

Fisherman's Wharf 1

People go to Fisherman's Wharf here for many reasons. For me one of the main reasons is the bright colors and often whimsical shapes of the float homes that are moored there. But there's lots of other bright colors too such as these bright yellow seats on a sightseeing boat moored there and the striking red leaves on the miniature maple in the floating micro-garden on the right. Over the next few days we'll take a look at some other good reasons for visiting Fisherman's Wharf.

Houseboats

I went for a walk with some old friends on Monday along the part of the David Foster Walkway that runs between the Inner Harbour and Fisherman's Wharf. It may be hard to believe but this was the first time I have ever walked along the seafront in that area though I have visited points along the walkway many times. It's a delightful walk and offers, among many other beautiful views, this perspective on the Fisherman's Wharf houseboats.

Fisheye Fun

Fisherman's wharf struck me as an appropriate place to try out a fisheye lens - another of these old Takumar lenses I like. This one is a 17mm f:4. The distortion increases towards the edges of the photo. In the center the perspective is almost normal.

Sunset at Fisherman's Wharf

Houseboats and pleasure craft catch the last rays of the sun at Fisherman's Wharf.

Fisherman's Wharf

Though I feature photos of Victoria's Fisherman's Wharf fairly often I usually focus on the colorful houseboats. Fisherman's Wharf is also home to many working fishing boats and fresh seafood of all kinds is readily available at the fish market on the wharf or sometimes directly from fishermen themselves. In this photo you can see the colorful houseboats in the background on the right and some of the fishing boats in the foreground.

Spring on Fisherman's Wharf

While strolling around Fisherman's Wharf last week I was happy to see the rich purple of these Grape Hyacinths, a flower I always associate with spring.

Ice Cream Weather?

Well, It was warm last week but I didn't think it was Ice Cream weather. However, judging by this photo I was in a minority since these folks were clearly enjoying their cones, especially the little guy in the center who was having a face-painting session as well as a treat. For folks who preferred more solid food, Puerto Vallarta Amigos (below) was providing their delicious Mexican Seafood fare a few steps away on Fisherman's Wharf.

Fisherman's Wharf

Sunshine earlier this week lured me over to Fisherman's Wharf. It's not a difficult segue from the most recent posts of Songhees Point since the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and the old Blue Bridge are visible (on the right) in this photo taken from the southern side of the Inner Harbour where Fisherman's Wharf is located. Some of the colorful houseboats that are a Fisherman's Wharf trademark can be seen on the left.

Jean Bedard

Here's another Causeway veteran, guitarist Jean Bedard. He's pictured here on the Causeway though he is more often found on Fisherman's Wharf. Jean specializes in intricate, jazzy arrangements of popular music. His thoughtful, accomplished playing makes for easy listening.

Victoria in Black and White 3 - Fisherman's Wharf

Here's a bunch of people enjoying their lunch on Fisherman's Wharf and not realizing they are being entertained by a truly amazing guitarist, Jean Bedard. Next time you pass a street performer, stop and listen, really listen - chances are you will be surprised at the quality of what you are hearing. Don't feel shy to leave a tip. Even superb musicians have to eat.

Fisherman's Wharf

A perennially popular spot to visit within a short walk of the Legislative Assembly Building and the Causeway is Fisherman's Wharf, above looking deceptively peaceful. Well, it is peaceful but as you can see below it can also be pretty crowded at this time of year. It's a great place to have lunch - Barb's Fish and Chips is famous and you know the fish has got to be fresh. There's also Mexican food and Grilligan's Island.... (Great chili!)

Part of Our Working Harbour

Fisherman's Wharf is well known for it's houseboats and fish-n-chips eateries but it is still home to a fleet of fishing boats and I always love to take a stroll along the wharves to have a look. Just be sure to keep a close eye on where you're walking! - Fern

Relics

I came across these two phone booths down at Fisherman's Wharf and marvelled that there are still a few around. My lunch dates were only to happy to illustrate why there are almost none left. - Fern Long

Copycat

It's always fun to watch the Harbour Seals at Fisherman's Wharf greeting the tourists and sharing some sashimi. However, I was surprised to see this year that another harbour resident has learned about the free fish - that's a River Otter popping up there to see what the tourists have to offer.

Theme Park

I have mentioned before that sometimes it seems to me that living in Victoria is like living in a big theme park. Not surprisingly, given the watery nature of the city, the main theme is nautical. Here's one of the "rides" that sails out Fisherman's Wharf regularly in the summer with a cargo of children. They sail around the Inner Harbour and generally seem to have a piratical good time. Find out more on their website http://www.pirateadventures.ca/Victoria/.