Quy bent the starfish over my wrist, and it clipped hair off my arm while I took a selfie of the process.
I’ve never been much of a with-it type guy. When there is a fad, I try to do the opposite. But I confess I’ve tried a selfie or two. And I just had to take a picture of the starfish clipping hair off of my arm. When Quy picked up a starfish on our six-day, British Columbia sea kayak adventure and offered to demonstrate pedicellariae at work, I was the first to volunteer. Pedicellariae what, you say?
While you are probably stumbling over the word like I did, I’ll explain how it works. Starfish have a defense mechanism for destroying tiny parasites that land on their skin. They have tiny claws that cut the bad guys in half. If you put these claws under a microscope, they look like your worst nightmare. (Check this out.)
Quy, however, assured us that while the pedicellariae would define our hairs as enemy invaders and clip them off, there would only be a slight pulling sensation with no harm done to us. Easy for him to say, right. But that’s what happened. Quy bent the arm of the starfish over my wrist and I felt the pulling sensation. When he removed the starfish, my arm was bare. Peggy was up next.
Here is the innocent starfish, happily at home in Johnstone Strait before Quy picked him up to clip hair.
And here, the starfish goes to work on Peggy. Is that a smile or a grimace on her face?
I expected whales and striking scenery on our Sea Kayak Adventures’ trip, but hair-removing starfish, no way. The pedicellariae were only a small part of our second day, however. We kayaked from our campsite on Hanson Island to Compton Island on Blackfish Sound. Along the way we watched humpback whales and were once again awed by the beauty of the region. At Compton Island, we got to play with our food….
Coffee would be waiting when we got up each morning— to be followed by a hefty breakfast. Here, our guide, Nick, whips up French toast in the make-shift kitchen.
After breakfast, we had time to go for a brief walk. A fishing boat moves between islands on Johnstone Strait looking for salmon.
Low tide exposed theses limpets and snails.
We peered in to the green waters of the small bay we were camped on.
And were dazzled by the sun illuminated green of the forest.
Morning fog greeted us as we worked our way around Hanson Island and into Blackfish Sound. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
We checked out these seals and seagulls on a small island. Or were they checking us out? (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
By the time we had worked our way around the end of Hanson Island, the sun was beginning to peak through. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
I took this picture of our kayaks at lunch. They were roped together so they wouldn’t stray.
After lunch, we followed out trip leader, Julia, out into Blackfish Sound. As you will note, most of our on-water photos were taken by Peggy. I was busy paddling. (grin) (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
A whooshing sound caused us to stop and search for whales. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
I took this photo of Peggy poised to capture a picture of the whale with her telephoto.
Thar she blows! We spot the tell-tale spume of a humpback whale as it surfaces. That’s a kayak paddle on the right.(Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
The humpback, brought in closer by Peggy’s telephoto, dives back under the water. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
I liked the way the waves distorted the reflection of Quy in the water. Edie and Dave look on. The other kayakers are watching the approach of a cruise ship. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
The cruise ship. You can imagine how big the ship seems from the perspective of a kayak. You do not want to get in the way. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
Our group, having safely navigated through the whales and the cruise ships, relaxes at cocktail hour in our campsite on Compton Island. It was right about then that a fishing boat approached the beach.
“Would you like a salmon?” he called out— and to our enthusiastic, yes!, threw it overboard.
The ever energetic and vivacious Lindy retrieved the salmon and handed it off to Quy.
Quy was happy to pose with the salmon, until…
… it wiggled.
The true hero of the day was Dennis, who now lives in Idaho but has fished extensively off of Alaska. He offered to fillet the fish.
Here, Dennis goes to work.
And displays the rich red meat, roe, and innards of the salmon. The salmon made a delicious lunch the next day, easily feeding all of us.
It was after all of the salmon excitement that we discovered the starfish, and these barnacles.
Members of our group enjoy a quiet moment at the end of the day, hoping for a whale to appear. Next blog: we kayak to Berry Island and hear a strange tale about Bigfoot.
Wandering through Time and Place 
A great story while I am sitting at the desk in my pyjama. I almost feel guilty as if I should go out and chop up wood, start a fire or even pitch a tent. Thanks Curt.
Thank you Gerard. You have me laughing here. BTW, there was no lumpy porridge. –Curt
I enjoyed the photo commentary, very entertaining, and leaves me, who isn’t this kind of adventurous, longing to join. As for the pedicellariae, you and Peggy are brave. Wouldn’t have dared!
Thanks, Timi. It’s a relatively safe adventure. Definitely worth it with good guides. As for the pedicellariae, I had faith in Quy knowing what he was talking about. Also, I’ve handled a number of starfish over the years without any bad things happening. 🙂
Divine!
🙂
What a truly marvellous day. What did it feel like having a short back and sides from a starfish? The sight of that tour ship must have been incredible from your tiny perch on the waves.
What a huge starfish! Lovely pictures and it looks like everyone had a terrific time…
My favorite photo is the one showing the two fog-bound trees on Hanson Island. The starfish tale is so funny. I remember the sensation of being “nibbled,” but can’t quite call up which creature it was. The various behaviors that have evolved, defensive and otherwise, are amazing.
Compared to the pale orange, artificially colored salmon that show up in our markets — well. I wouldn’t have minded being around for that dinner, one bit.
The salmon turned out delicious. Our guides were accomplished cooks. And wasn’t that color something.
The tress were beautiful.
As for the starfish, it was a fascinating bit of information about nature. It was certainly a lesson I’ll never forget.
Curt
I love that there’s a whole blog dedicated to the Pelli-whatsis-names and their cousins. Wonderful pictures, we have a beautiful drawing of pines like the pair on Hanson Island. I can imagine how alarming the cruse ship would have been. I remember being terrified (as a child) by the much smaller barges when canoeing on the Elbe Estuary.
We were fortunate, Hilary, to be well out of the way of the cruise ship. And we stayed off the waterways when they were covered in fog. That would be scary.
I always love the way that you can find almost anything on the Internet, including an article on Pelli-whatsis-names. 🙂 –Curt
I’m in love with those pictures! Awesome!
Thanks. 🙂
Great Adventures Curt, Love the pics as always!~
Thanks, Slingshot. 🙂
What a contrast between your kayaks and that cruise ship. While I’ve never been on a cruise ship I know people who enjoy them. But for me, I’d much prefer your kayaking adventure. Thanks again for taking us along.
Our pleasure, Bill. Normally I am not much on cruises but Peggy and I did a cruise of the Mediterranean two years ago that was special. –Curt
Do you know it’s one step from fish spas to starfish spas. Are they protected? They might want to be.
Laughing. I suspect most people would be a little squeamish about a starfish treatment. 🙂 –Curt
Compared to waxing?? 🙂
Fortunately, that is an experience I haven’t had. I am a baby about yanking a bandage off. lol
I think if you can sell waxing as hair removal you are pretty much good to go with most things. I don’t say starfish are for everyone, but I’m seeing a market!
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I really enjoyed reading your post! The photos are amazing too, and I feel like eating salmon now 🙂 Not sure about the starfish hair removal though 😛
Glad you enjoyed the post. What, you aren’t ready for the starfish approach to hair removal? Think of how much you could save on haircuts. 🙂 –Curt
Wow. This place looks like paradise (which in my world means Alaska. 🙂 ) The starfish experience sounds bizarre. I’m not sure I could stand it.
The starfish was gentle. 🙂 There was just a slight pull. Lived in Alaska for awhile, and our son now flies helicopters off of Kodiak for the Coast Guard. Yes, Alaska is a paradise. What part do you live in? –Curt
Checked your blog and see you live in Ohio. 🙂
Great photos on this post Curt. I forget what beautiful country that part of the world is. And it looks like perfect weather for kayaking. ~James
With the exception of one downpour, it was great weather James. And thanks; there was a lot of beauty there to photograph. –Curt