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Sea kayaking: A manual for long-distance touring. by John Dowd "The classic reference on paddling, this goes way beyond the basics for really practical tips and tricks." Buy from Amazon

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British Columbia: A natural history By Cannings, R. and Cannings, S "A beautiful and thorough book describing the range of ecosystems and their interactions in BC." Buy from Amazon

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Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northwest. By Harbo, Rick Buy from Amazon

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The beachcomber's guide to seashore life in the Pacific Northwest. By Sept, Duane Buy from Amazon

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Killer whales By Ford, John K.B., Ellis, Graeme M and Balcomb, Kenneth C "Research and genealogy of the resident orcas from the researchers themselves. The ID photos are out of date, but this is still the authority on the whales in our waters." Buy from Amazon

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Listening to whales By Morton, Alexandra "Stories and recollections of a whale researcher and all that she's learned from Orcas." Buy from Amazon

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Plants of coastal British Columbia including Washington, Oregon and Alaska. By Pojar, J. and MacKinnon, A "This is the bible of plant ID on the coast: portable, useful and packed with notes on the life and traditional uses of plants." Buy from Amazon

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Field guide to the pacific salmon By Steelquist, Robert " Great in-a-nutshell but accurate books." Buy from Amazon

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Birds of coastal British By Baron, Nancy Buy from Amazon

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Cedar: Tree of life to the northwest coast Indians By Stewart, Hilary "Brilliant descriptions and illustrations of traditional technology by a Quadra Island writer with an international stature." Buy from Amazon

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Totem poles and tea By Harold, Hughina "Memories of a non-native woman who taught school on Village Island in 1935." Buy from Amazon

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The curve of time By Blanchet, M. Wylie "A classic tale of widow's cruising adventure with her young family." Buy from Amazon

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Heart of the raincoast By Morton, Alexandra and Proctor, Billy "The life story of a central figure in the Broughtons, and thus a modern history of the area itself. Very readable." Buy from Amazon

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River City: A history of Campbell River and the Discovery Islands By Taylor, Jeanette "A lavishly illustrated survey history of the Discovery Passage region (including Quadra), with lots of anecdotes." Buy from Amazon

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Below are some other excellent books often found in our guides portable libraries.

 

General Natural History

Canadian Hydrographic Service. (1980?). Oceanography of the British Columbia Coast. CHS.
" Out of print but invaluable description of our waters; full of answers.

 

Weather

Environment Canada. (1999). Marine weather hazards manual: A guide to local forecasts and conditions. Environment Canada.
" A good resource for understanding weather patterns on the coast.

 

Intertidal and Invertebrate Life

There are innumerable references and field guides to intertidal life. Try a few out, get recommendations and pick one up to have in your boat. These are a few of the more common ones.

Author? (1990?). National Audubon Society regional guide to the Pacific coast. Random House.
" A great do-everything guidebook with an overview of the coast as well as detailed ID photos of intertidal life, birds, fish, plants, shells and marine mammals. May be out of print.

Lambert. Philip. (2000). Sea stars of British Columbia, southeast Alaska and Puget Sound. UBC Press: Vancouver.
" Everything you ever wanted to know about sea stars.

Sheldon. Ian. (1998). Seashore of the Pacific Northwest. Lone Pine: Vancouver.

 

Marine Mammals

Baird, Robin W. (2006). Killer whales of the world: Natural history and conservation. Voyageur Press: Minnesota.
" Puts our local populations in context with those around the world.

Ford, John K.B. and Ellis, Graeme M. (1999). Transients:Mammal-hunting killer whales. UBC: Vancouver.
" Research and genealogy of the transient orcas from the researchers themselves.

.Reeves, R., Stewart, B., Clapham, P. and Powell, J. (2002). National Audubon Society guide to marine mammals of the world. Chanticleer Press: New York.
" Great reference of marine mammals around the world, handy for quick facts.

Spalding, David A.E. (2001). Whales of the west coast. Harbour Publishing: Madeira Park, BC.
" Natural history of regional marine mammals.

 

Fish

2005-2007 British Columbia tidal waters sport fishing guide. Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
" A no-nonsense fish ID guide and outline of the sport fishing regulations.

Gotshall, David W. (1981). Pacific coast inshore fishes. Sea Challengers: Los Osos, CA.
" A usable photo ID guide.

White, Charlie. (1989). Living off the sea. Heritage House: Surrey.
" A practical and readable guide on catching and gathering seafood.

 

Birds

Gordon, David. (1991). The Audubon Society field guide to the bald eagle. Sasquatch Books: Seattle.
" An in-depth but concise book about the life history of the bald eagle.

Sibley, David Allen. (2000). The Sibley guide to birds. Chanticleer Press: New York.
" Comprehensive and user-friendly bird guide.

 

Mammals

Eder, Tamara. (2001). Mammals of British Columbia. Lone Pine: Vancouver

 

First Nations

Assu, Harry and Inglis, Joy. (1989). Assu of Cape Mudge: Recollections of a coastal Indian chief. UBC Press: Vancouver.
"Out-of-print but available through the Regional Library."

Craven, Margaret. (1980). I heard the owl call my name. Laurel.
"A classic fictional account of a young priest who comes to terms with his impending death while living with the Kwakwaka'wakw people at Knight's Inlet."

Ford, Clellan S. (1941). Smoke from their fires: The life of a Kwakiutl chief. Yale University Press: MA.
"Excellent description of potlatching & traditional Kwakwaka'wakw life."

Galois, Robert. (1997). Kwakwaka'wakw Settlements, 1775 - 1920: A geographical analysis and gazetteer. UBC Press: Vancouver.
"A fascinating, in-depth study of all the traditional village sites of the Kwakwaka'wakw people in Johnstone Strait and Discovery Passage."

Jonaitis, Aldona (Ed). (1991). Chiefly feasts: The enduring Kwakiutl potlatch. University of Washington Press: Seattle.
" A richly illustrated book describing the art and complex structure of potlatching.

Kirk, Ruth. (1986). Wisdom of the elders: Native traditions on the Northwest Coast. Douglas and McIntyre: Vancouver.
" An overview of the traditional lifestyle of First Nations people on the coast."

Reid, Bill. (1996). Raven steals the light. University of Washington Press: Seattle.
"Well-written, engaging and often funny stories from the Haida tradition. Great campfire reading."

Turner, Nancy. (1997). Food Plants of the Coastal First Peoples. UBC Press: Vancouver.
" Well illustrated descriptions of edible plants and their traditional uses."

 

The Age of Exploration

Gillespie, B. Guild. (1992). On stormy seas: The triumphs and torments of Captain George Vancouver. Horsdal and Schubart: Vancouver.
" A fictionalized account of Vancouver's life."

Newcombe, C.F. (1973). Menzies' journal of Vancouver's Voyage, April to October 1792. Victoria.
" Out-of-print but available for in-house use at the Museum at Campbell River."

Vancouver, George, edited by Kaye Lamb. (1984). The voyage of George Vancouver, 1791 - 1795. The Hakluyt Society.

 

Life on the Coast

Doris Andersen. (1979). Evergreen Islands: The islands of the Inside Passage Quadra to Malcolm. Gray's Publishing.
" Out-of-print but available through the Vancouver Island Regional Library system."

Harbord, Heather. (1996). Nootka Sound and the surrounding waters of Maquinna. Heritage House: Surrey.
" Overview of the area around the Nuchatlitz."

Taylor, Jeanette and Douglas, Ian. (2001). Exploring Quadra Island: Heritage sites and hiking trails. Fernbank Publishing: Vancouver.
" An illustrated guide (with maps) of 22 heritage sites and hiking trails."

Other

Walbran, Capt. John T. (1971 [1909]). British Columbia coast names: Their origin and history. Douglas and McIntyre: Vancouver.
" A fantastic reference for many of the areas we travel; gives context to the names."

Hampton, B. and Cole, D. (1988). Soft paths. Stackpole Books: PA.
" The classic reference on minimum impact camping."

 

 

 

 

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Box 569, Heriot Bay, British Columbia
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