01. Photographer pick: Dreyden Price

Dreyden captures amazing closeups of all kinds of waterfowl in Southwestern Ontario. As Canada's second largest providence, Ontario houses a tremendous local population of unpressured ducks and geese that's supplemented throughout the season with constant waves of migrants from the north, making it perfect for hunting. 

Check out more of his photos and expeditions at https://instagram.com/fullchoke_photos!

A goose dunks underwater in an Ontario lake. Photo by Dreyden Price

02. Article pick: Balloon Pollution: A Ballooning Environmental Problem

Did you know that millions of balloons are released into the air each year? Once released, balloons travel into the air until they pop and fall back down, most commonly along coastlines, beaches, and into waterways. 

Give this a read to learn how these "friendly gestures" are becoming an ever-increasing part of beach and ocean litter.

Balloons only take moments to release but hundreds of years to biodegrade. Photo by Brian Yurasits, Unsplash 

03. Book pick: Return of the Sea Otter

"Return of the Sea Otter: The Story of the Animal That Evaded Extinction on the Pacific Coast" by Todd McLeish explores the history, biology and conservation of sea otters, focusing on their remarkable recovery from near-extinction along the Pacific Coast of North America. 

Through interviews with scientists, wildlife managers and conservationists as well as his own observations and travels, McLeish provides an engaging account of the challenges and successes of sea otter conservation efforts. He also highlights the important ecological role that sea otters play in coastal ecosystems and the benefits of their recovery for the health and resilience of these ecosystems.

04. Video pick: Deep Water

Arguably one of the best sailing documentaries ever made, "Deep Water" tells the story of Donald Crowhurst and the first non-stop round the world race in the late 1960s. The film not only speaks to the state of sailing at the time but also delves into human pride, strength, fragility, passion and the tenuous psyche of the modern human. 

We recommend it for sailors and non-sailors alike!

05. Quote of the Week

“There is magic in the feel of a paddle and the movement of a canoe, a magic compounded of distance, adventure, solitude and peace.”

          — Sigurd F. Olson