Everything depends on everything else

The whale birds are starting to gather in groups in Skidegate inlet, meaning that the plankton and other tiny things are growing. The herring are coming. They will flood the inlet and spawn on the bull kelp that's been growing all winter. After the water turns milky, you have to wait four days and then you can start to harvest the k'aaw, the herring roe that's been laid on the kelp. When the herring come that means the orcas won't be far behind. The water is coming alive for spring and the food gathering season is beginning.