Sail with the Whales

© JTowers 2010

As we cruised in Johnstone Strait this morning the wind was blowing from the SE and a cool chill was in the air yet the sun was shinning so brightly it made our visibility difficult with shimmering light being reflected off the choppy sea. A large blow was sighted in the distance, it was that of a Humpback Whale while parallel across the Strait and emerging from the western boundary of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve were the Orcas, the A30 Matriline, a family of 10 orcas. As they approached along the Vancouver Island shoreline the two sisters A50 and A54 and their seven off-spring, Dall’s Porpoises were seen among them “rooster tailing” with spouts of water splashing out behind them. Other orcas could also be seen approaching and with our main-sail hoisted and engine off we began sailing quietly along; all on board observing with anticipation and great excitement the orcas as they foraged steadily nearby. It was exhilarating, especially listening to their A-Clan vocalizations and ecolocations via our trailing hydrophone. With orcas foraging on either side of the boat, moving back and forth in all directions as is often the case as they forage and chase salmon it was a fabulous experience for everyone. As we sailed the wind lessened and it was wonderful feeling the warm sun upon our backs. The orcas began angling over towards Blackney Passage where the flood tide had gained momentum and a Humpback Whale was sighted nearby feeding as well. It was a very special experience and encounter with a very special family of orcas. Other sightings included: Harbour Seals, Dall’s Porpoises, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Surf Scoters, Bald Eagles, A Great Blue Heron, Mew and Herring Gulls.

What a beautiful day it was with a bright blue sky reflecting back off the water and the sun shining for most of the tour. With clear visibility we were fortunate to sight a Minke Whale shortly after leaving the dock and it was a great start to the tour. Traveling in Blackfish Sound we encountered numerous Stellar Sea Lions swimming along and Bald Eagles high up on the tree tops, several of whom were drying off their wings. Our encounter with the Orcas was a fabulous one and proved to be very exciting for everyone on board. The A30’s were making their way slowly to the west, they were all spread out across Johnstone Strait with A50, A54 and their off-spring of seven young ones between them foraging along the Hanson Island shoreline with their brothers A38 & A39 and mother A30 the Matriline, closer to the Vancouver Island shore. We stayed initially on the Hanson Island shore observing the young mothers and their off-spring as they foraged intently and passengers enjoyed some breath-taking moments as they swam near the bow of the boat as we sat drifting in the current. With the hydrophone deployed their A-Clan vocals were wonderful to listen to along with their ecolocation. Resting, foraging, tail slapping, spy-hopping and playful interactions between the younger orcas was behaviour all observed today and even when the hydrophone was not deployed, vocals could be heard above the water. As the orcas foraged at Blinkhorn it was a great surprise to suddenly see A38 foraging towards our boat as it sat idle and drifting and then surface underneath the bow enabling us all to view him from above and below the water. The viewing was superb and made for a wonderful and lasting image for everyone to take away with them. Later, as we sat watching, the orcas suddenly made their turn back to the east and it was A38 who was the last to pass on by as he made his way back down towards Blinkhorn and beyond, swimming very quickly with long dives in an effort to catch up with the rest of his family. Other sightings included: Stellar Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, Dall’s Porpoises, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres and one was sighted with a herring in its bill, Red-necked Phalaropes, Surf Scoters, Pelagic and Brandt’s Cormorants, Western and Horned Grebes, Bald Eagles, Mew and Herring Gulls.

Shortly after leaving the dock in Alder Bay this morning a Minke Whale was sighted feeding alongside of numerous gulls. It was a great start to the tour before we traveled further to where numerous Stellar Sea Lions were swimming in the water and many more were observed hauled out. The sounds of their growls were like lions roaring and could be heard a vast distance away. Beyond the sea lions a Humpback Whale was sighted feeding in Weynton Passage and crossing Blackfish Sound a second whale was sighted followed by a third Humpback Whale, these were both feeding intently along with numerous Murres and Auklets. It was exciting to see active feeding including lunge feeding by a whale at one herring ball site; a gull was observed feeding on krill at another site. Altogether there were six Humpback Whales reported in the area today. Other sightings included: Dall’s Porpoises, Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Red-necked Phalaropes, Pelagic Cormorants, Harlequin Ducks, Belted Kingfishers, Surf Scoters++, Western Grebes, Pigeon Guillemots, Mew and Herring Gulls.

What a treat it was today being out on tour viewing marine life. Rain showers beckoned to the east and west of us but as luck would have it, there were only a few sprinkles of rain falling. Our first encounter with a Humpback Whale this morning was exciting especially for those who had never seen a whale before and it is always sobering to recall ones own first encounter and the excitement, joy and wonder expressed and to never take for granted the sheer size and extraordinary grace that Humpback Whales display. In Weynton Passage there were numerous Stellar Sea Lions hauled out and many more in the water swimming that we passed en route to viewing more Humpback Whales. The current was flooding and it was fabulous observing the seabird activity as Common Murres and Rhinoceros Auklets actively worked the area and numerous herring balls could be seen with both bird species feeding alongside gulls and whales. We were fortunate to view four Humpback Whales today and it was especially exciting to see them passing near to the boat, diving and surfacing amongst the birds. Observing two whales feeding together made for some exceptional viewing and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Other sightings today included: Harbour Seals, Red-necked Phalaropes, Pelagic Cormorants, A Pacific and Common Loon, Surf Scoters, Mew and Herring Gulls.

It was a beautiful day on the water despite the heavy fog that lingered late in the day, clearing a little and reforming, it teased us with some glorious visuals of islands, sunlight and a bright blue sky. We had some really nice viewing of a Humpback Whale feeding in the flood current in Weynton Passage, there was also numerous Stellar Sea Lions hauled out and many sightings of them throughout the tour swimming in the water. We cruised through scenic island waterways viewing glistening kelp forests and several Bald Eagles. Other sightings today included: Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Red-necked Phalaropes, Belted Kingfishers, Black Oyster Catchers, Mew and Herring Gulls.

It was an incredible day out there today and we were lucky to not have any rain during our tour! We did have wind however and traveling in Johnstone Strait this morning there was some wave action as well the sighting of our first Humpback Whale for the day which was very exciting. We made our way through the Plumper Islands into Blackfish Sound where we found the sea condition calm and very inviting. The orcas were reported to be making their way west in the Sound having made the turn into Blackney Passage from Johnstone Strait just as they have done so for the past several days. The A30’s, a family of 10 orcas were resting and moving slowly to the west and with our main-sail hoisted we commenced to sail and did so for the entire length of our viewing time with them while trailing our hydrophone behind us enabling our passengers to listen to their A-Clan calls and ecolocation. We observed as A30 the Matriline and her oldest surviving son A38 traveled closest to Hanson Island while her other son A39 and daughters A50 & A54 with their young off-spring made their way closer to the Swanson Island shoreline. Passengers observed foraging, pectoral slapping and playful interaction between the younger orcas. It was a fabulous experience sailing quietly beside them while observing at times as they lunged, chasing after salmon. In the distance another Humpback Whale was sighted and we made our way in that direction watching as several Dalls Porpoises were actively feeding alongside the Humpback Whale with numerous diving birds all of them feeding on herring. With Stellar Sea Lions swimming around the whale and many more observed hauled out the viewing could not have been better and yet it was when a third Humpback Whale was sighted in Weynton Passage. This one was identified as “Freckles” and has been sighted frequently over the summer. There were four Humpback Whales in the area today. Other sightings included: Harbour Seals+, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, Surf Scoters, Red-necked Phalaropes, Bald Eagles, Mew and Herring Gulls and numerous migrating birds flying high including a flock of Common Mergansers.

Today was a fabulous day out on the water viewing orcas. We first encountered the A30 Matriline, a family of 10 orcas as they foraged near the mouth of Blackney Passage in Johnstone Strait. It was not long before movement was observed with most of the pod (son A39 and daughters A50 & A54 with their off-spring) entering into Blackney Passage and on into Blackfish Sound with A30 the Matriline and her oldest surviving son, A38 catching them up by passing into Blackfish Sound via the narrow Passage at the bottom of Hanson Island. The winds were lighter in Blackfish Sound and with our main sail hoisted, we were able to sail quietly along trailing our hydrophone enabling our passengers to listen to their A-Clan calls and ecolocation. The orcas were all spread out across the Sound with A30 and A38 traveling and foraging together, A39 was not far away foraging as well while A50 & A54 and their off-spring foraged along the Swanson Island shoreline as they had done so yesterday. At the top of Blackfish Sound a Humpback Whale was sighted feeding in wide circles and passengers also enjoyed their viewing of this whale. Other sightings today included: Stellar Sea Lions++, Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Surf Scoters, A Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagles, Mew and Herring Gulls. A small group of Pacific White-sided Dolphins and also a Minke Whale were sighted briefly in the distance on the way home.

What a beautiful day it turned out to be on the water. With the orcas travelling west in Blackfish Sound this morning we traveled through the “blow-hole” which was closed in with heavy fog and could not believe the open waterway that Blackfish Sound provided being clear of fog! With orcas heading in our direction, the A30’s were observed to be well spread out across the Sound and foraging intently as they moved further west. We stopped and with our hydrophone deployed, passengers could hear their ecolocation and occasional A-Clan calls and it was exciting to see as A50 foraged alongside and back and forth around our boat as we sat idle drifting with the ebb current while her off-spring were playing nearby interacting with a small group of Pacific White-sided Dolphins. A50 and A54 with their off-spring made it as far west as Bold Head before moving towards the Plumper Islands to join up with their mother A30 the Matriline and their two brothers A38 and A39, and finally all of them travelled together through a narrow island waterway of the Plumper Islands where they entered once again into Johnstone Strait. Our passengers also enjoyed viewing a young Black Bear foraging amongst boulders on a beach as well a Humpback Whale who was feeding in Blackfish Sound, a second Humpback Whale was sighted a distance away. Other sightings today included: Dall’s Porpoises, Stellar Sea Lions++, Harbour Seals++, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Surf Scoters, Pelagic Cormorants, A Western Grebe, Bald Eagles, Mew and Herring Gulls and numerous migrating birds flying high that we were unable to accurately identify.

The orcas were foraging to the west when we first encountered them this morning and we could not have timed it better for our arrival. Our passengers observed as A50 and A54 with their off-spring foraged along the VI shore while A30 and her sons, A38 and A39 foraged along the Hanson Island shoreline. With wind enough to sail and our main and stay-sails hoisted, passengers enjoyed the thrill of sailing while viewing the orcas foraging intently near Blinkhorn and also listening to their A-Clan calls and ecolocation via our trailing hydrophone. When the orcas turned and commenced travel to the east, passengers observed as A30, A38 and A39 began crossing Johnstone Strait heading towards the rest of the family, all of them were making their way towards Cracroft Point with A30 the Matriline in the lead. Our time with the orcas today was an exciting and very special encounter . Other sightings included: Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres++, Surf Scoters, Bald Eagles, Mew and Herring Gulls.

While a heavy fog was present when we first headed out this morning, by the time we entered into Weynton Passage it had begun to clear and it was here where we first encountered the four Transient Orcas: T55, T55A, T55B and T55C. It was enjoyable to observe them as they traveled east in Blackfish Sound, they were synchronized in their surfacing together most of the time and it was mesmerizing and beautiful to watch. Leaving the orcas we made our way towards Bold Head in Blackfish Sound which was partially cleared of fog and clearing more as we traveled further. Noticing some large gatherings of Aucklets, Murres and Gulls we waited, listening all the while for a large blow and it was not long before a Humpback Whale was sighted nearby. Identified as ‘Freckles’ this Humpback Whale has been observed frequently throughout the summer. A larger Humpback Whale was also seen surfacing rapidly towards the herring ball before us and it was fabulous to sit quietly with the engine off and watch the spectacle of the two whales feeding intently, it was also a great photo opportunity! With the Queen Charlotte Strait stretched out before us we observed as the two whales would feed and then quickly move off, seeking more bird and herring ball activity. The sea was calm and a gorgeous blue colour was being reflected back from the clearing sky above. On the way home a third Humpback Whale was sighted in the distance. Other sightings today included: Stellar Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, Dall’s Porpoises, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres++, Bald Eagles, Mew and Herring Gulls.

The orcas were foraging intently when we arrived at Blackney Passage on our tour this afternoon and our passengers could not have timed it better for marine mammal sightings. The A30’s and I31’s were foraging back and forth in the heavy flood current, it was an amazing scene to behold as we sailed with huge whirlpools forming beside the boat, the current was constantly moving us backwards. There was so much to see with orcas moving in all directions, among them were Dall’s Porpoises, Pacific White-sided Dolphins and also Stellar Sea Lions. The viewings were superb as were the A & G - Clan vocals heard via our trailing hydrophone while we were under sail! On our way home a Humpback Whale was sighted feeding, we observed as it made its way into Johnstone Strait from Weynton Passage where flocks of Gulls had gathered and were feeding on krill that was visible today in the water. Other sightings today included: Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres++, Bald Eagles, Mew and Herring Gulls. It was an amazing day despite the lingering fog that made the water and island visuals all the more beautiful as it began to lift.

Today was a fabulous day for viewing marine mammals despite the rain. With an early report of orcas traveling to the west off Donegal Head this morning we traveled in that direction and although we knew that orcas were ahead of us when rounding Donegal Head we could not see them because the visibility was so poor. Suddenly two orcas were sighted and were quickly identified as the Matriline A30 traveling with her oldest surviving son A38 and they were traveling surprisingly back to the east! We enjoyed some beautiful visuals of the two orcas prior to seeing three more orcas: A39 (the younger son of A30), I46 and his sister I68 from the I31 Matriline. Following them close along the shoreline came A30’s two daughters: A50 and A54 with their calves. Having our hydrophone deployed we heard only a couple of G-Clan calls and some ecolocation, the A30’s were silent. The viewing was superb and extremely interesting especially viewing the dynamics of the three groupings of orcas with A30 and A38 well in the lead. The current was flooding and as passengers observed the orcas making their way towards Weynton Passage, Stellar Sea Lions were also sighted and then a surprise sighting of a Humpback Whale when it surfaced suddenly nearby in the current. With so much activity to watch, the last group of orcas were seen vanishing into Johnstone Strait and were soon obscured from sight by the rain. Passengers continued to watch as the Humpback Whale foraged in the current while a second one was then sighted and both of these were seen moving together toward Malcolm Island. As if it could not get any better it did with the sudden sighting of a large Minke Whale feeding nearby and surfacing beside the boat as it foraged surprising everyone when it did so! Other sightings today included: Dalls Porpoises, Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Bald Eagles including two fledged eaglets, Mew and Herring Gulls. It was a brilliant day enjoyed by all.

Our tour began this morning with the knowledge that the A30 Matriline (a family of 10 orcas) were traveling east at the east end of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Heading in their direction east in Johnstone Strait we encountered first a small group of Dalls Porpoises and later were surprised and delighted to suddenly sight Orcas at Cracroft Point from where they had entered the Strait only minutes earlier from Blackfish Sound. Our timing could not have been better! It was a delight to see the two large orcas with tall dorsal fins ahead of us that were identified as I45 and I62 from the Matriline I33’s. I33 and I110 were sighted traveling along the Cracroft Island shoreline and passengers enjoyed some good viewing of them as well as I45 and I62 as they foraged parallel to their mother. A group of Pacific White-sided Dolphins were in the area throughout our viewing and were likely the reason for the orcas taking long dives as the dolphins would mob them when they surfaced. Other sightings today included: Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Dalls Porpoises, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Red-necked Phalaropes, Bald Eagles++, Mew and Herring Gulls.