Sunrise in the Westshore: One Lagoon, Three Lakes, Zero Sleep
Island Drones began in the Westshore long before we knew what this project would become. Back then, it was just me, a drone, and a habit of getting up far too early.
This was one of those mornings.
I set myself a small mission: hit four of the Westshore’s sunrise spots before most people made it to their coffee. Lagoon, Thetis Lake, Langford Lake, Glen Lake — one morning, one battery bag, and a whole lot of cold fingers.
Here’s how it went.
Stop 1: Esquimalt Lagoon — The Ocean Wake-Up Call
The Lagoon is where the Westshore tilts into the Pacific. Driftwood, salt air, gulls arguing over breakfast — the usual soundtrack.
When the sun cracked the horizon, the water turned into a giant orange mirror. Flying low over the shoreline, everything felt calm, still, and worth every minute of lost sleep.
Sunrise at the Esquimalt Lagoon
Stop 2: Thetis Lake — Morning Mist & Quiet Trails
A few minutes inland and the world shifts. Thetis at sunrise is pure quiet. Mist lifting off the water, headlamps on the trails, the forest barely moving.
From above, it looks like wilderness and neighbourhood life stitched together — one of those very Westshore combinations that never gets old.
Thetis Lake
Stop 3: Langford Lake — Gold Light & Busy Shores
By Langford Lake, the sun was climbing and everything turned gold. Docks, paddleboarders, fishermen — the day had officially begun.
From the air, Langford shows a busy little pocket of morning life, with light spilling across the water and people already out enjoying it.
Langford Lake
Stop 4: Glen Lake — Neighbourhood on the Water
Glen Lake isn’t remote wilderness. It’s the neighbourhood lake: playgrounds, boardwalks, morning walkers with takeout coffee in hand.
From the sky, you see community, routine, and the mountains in the distance. Just everyday Westshore life, framed in sunrise light.
Glen Lake
Four flights, one morning. Salt air at the Lagoon. Mist at Thetis. Golden light at Langford. Community at Glen.
This was from the early days of Island Drones — before we rebranded, before we knew what we were building, before any plans or strategy. But mornings like this are still the heartbeat of what is now Vancouver Island Drones.
This is the Westshore before the world wakes up.
This is why we fly.
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