I'm happy to call Pender Island my home. Although I've only lived on the island for a total of about 20 years I'm part of the fourth generation of my family to live on Pender. My great-grandparents moved to South Pender Island in 1886. Many of my summers were spent in and around our little log cabin near Gowlland Point; a spot I still consider one of the most beautiful on Earth.
The Gulf Islands lie in a rare (for Canada) temperate Mediterranean climate, due in part to being in the rainshadow of both Washington state's Olympic Mountains and mountains on Vancouver Island. Therefore the islands do not get the rainfall one associates with either Vancouver or Seattle. Summers are generally sunny and dry, often lasting until October. Winters can be stormy with wind and rain but there can also be long periods of lovely mild weather.
I enjoy some of the typical activities associated with island life: boating (primarily kayaking), community events and an idyllic lifestyle. Images on this page reflect my interests. Although frequently traveling away from home I still take many photos on Pender. Therefore images on this page will change more often than images in the Abroad section. Please check back if you're interested in photos of the islands. If you're interested in images of specific island places please email me.
A small map of the Southern Gulf Islands can be seen here. Larger versions can be made upon request (i.e. for web sites, brochures etc.).
A web version of a photo book I made, called Travels with my Aunts, can be seen starting here. The original images were taken by my great-aunt Isabel Payne in the 1890s. Some of the images are of Saturna Island, others of the UK.
