Life At The Cape . . .

Walrus at the Cape October 2025

I drove down to the beach after lunch yesterday and this unique sight greeted me. Walrus are here at the Cape and it looks like the colony has grown in numbers since their previous visit. Before I even reached the water’s edge, I could see these large sea creatures lounging in the cool air under the autumn sun. Last year they camped along the beach. This year they’re claiming not only the shoreline but they’re taking respite along our thruway and up on a grassy knoll.

The air is fetid and filled with the sounds of grunts and clattering tusks as walruses fuss at and climb over one another. Bulky blobs bob along in the salty sea and spout water into the air. I am entranced by these massive slug-like beasts.

I’ve been here at work for about a week now. Upon our arrival, we flew over a herd of caribou running away from off of the flightline and a flock of ptarmigan took flight as we roared to our approach. Unfortunately I’d just pocketed my camera and by the time I realized something was moving in my periphery, I didn’t have time to pull out my phone to take pictures. But, I still see them in my minds eye; what beautiful creatures, there is such a grace to them when they’re in motion.

This morning I woke to termination dust on the jagged peaks surrounding our camp. Icy sheens cover mud puddles and there is a distinct winter-is-coming chill in the air. Before driving to the Weather Observation Station, I donned my hat and gloves and zipped my coat up to under my chin - a familiar ritual for the coming months ahead. Between weather observations, I watched the walrus through binoculars from my perch overlooking the Bearing Sea. 

The caribou herds and walrus colony will soon move on to their winter destinations, but while they're visiting, I'll thoroughly enjoy their company.  

It is two days since I took these photos. I drove down to the beach this evening to see how the walrus are weathering the storm that's moved in - but alas, they've swum off to calmer shores. On the way back to camp, I drove up on this red fox with a bird in its jowls.