Believe it or not I do actually have a "day job".  I truly believe a lot of you just rolled your eyes at reading that statement, as it appears that my "job" isn't really "work".  You know what?!?! I wholesomely agree with you.  **I love it!!** I guess there is some truth to that old saying - 
<center>*"Do what you love & you will never work a day in your life."*</center>
has a little bit of truth to it.  Don't get me wrong.  There are days at my job that I think to myself that I do not get paid enough to do this crap.  This is typically when weather conditions are borderline dangerous but still manageable to take people out and encounter whales. Its really bumpy sea conditions and you are wet, cold and guests on board can’t get a good enough photo of a whale you are interacting with. Those days are far from ideal.  Luckily, those days are very very rare.
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[![IMG_9353.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmf5prtNJBU2p74QxYSLBVkbyukfZHs8s1dym32Ly93Yxn/IMG_9353.jpg)](https://steemitimages.com/DQmf5prtNJBU2p74QxYSLBVkbyukfZHs8s1dym32Ly93Yxn/IMG_9353.jpg)
<center>*A breaching orca.
Click image to view full size.*</center>
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However, for the most part its nothing but fun and the people I have work with in Canada are no doubt some of my best friends, which is what makes a job worth while ~ I have always believed that its all about the people you work with not what you do.
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[![IMG_6161.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWeAi2NihNcXqmwSgCXAQtzyVjWZ83imVNYnfX2YMDUxt/IMG_6161.jpg)](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWeAi2NihNcXqmwSgCXAQtzyVjWZ83imVNYnfX2YMDUxt/IMG_6161.jpg)
<center>*BC TIKA ~ one of the vessels I drive on Vancouver Island - her nickname is the 'Sweet Lady of Darkness'
Click image to view full size.*</center>
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My Canadian "day job" consists of taking 12 people on a high speed zodiac style vessel for about 3 - 4 hours to find and interact with as many marine mammals as possible ~ with a main focus on whales, especially orca and humpbacks.  In a busy day in summer you can easily personally drive 3 tours and do that for 6 days in a row.  This happens quite often in the middle of summer of July & August.
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[![IMG_3690.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQtTjB22SeGyKNSKdoworQ6wMcu9WqUjH3ZPMALPz3LZ6/IMG_3690.jpg)](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQtTjB22SeGyKNSKdoworQ6wMcu9WqUjH3ZPMALPz3LZ6/IMG_3690.jpg)
<center>*A Bigg's orca feasting on what was once a harbour seal in between my vessel and my colleagues in June, 2017.  You can see the blob of red in her mouth... poor seal. Interesting fact is that Ian Healy - the cricket legend is on that vessel too. He is in a black suit, 3rd person from the right.
Click image to view full size.*</center>
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I know it seems like a tough gig... If any Steemians are planning or ever wanted to encounter orca or humpbacks along the west coast of Canada then come on over to Vancouver Island to Victoria and check them out. It is a beautiful spot in the world and a consistent area to constantly encounter orca daily, year-round.  I do know that from some of people’s comments that they would love to see these animals that I constantly post pictures of, which all I can say is come over grab some first hand experience.
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<center>Thanks for reading and all the support, Steemit!!

**Dont forget to Upvote & Resteem!!!**

All stories & photographs are of my own work unless noted under the picture in question.

For more stories and photos check out my Instagram feed: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_mitchell2912/</center>