With far less wind blowing than yesterday it was a very interesting day of viewing the northern resident orcas. It was out in the Queen Charlotte Strait that we caught up with a small group of orcas, they were identified as the I35’s, a subpod of the I31 Matriline. Most of our viewing time was spent with I67 who was foraging intensely and lunge diving. Some G-Clan vocals were heard via the hydrophone when we first caught up with the pod. They were headed west and we left them at Lizard Point. On the afternoon tour, it was surprising to find the A30’s foraging at Beaver Cove shortly after departing from Alder Bay. Even though rain was falling gently, the sightings of the 9 orcas and the sounds of their A-Clan vocalizations as they foraged were superb! Passengers enjoyed some wonderful viewing, especially of A38 and A30 as they passed nearby the boat as it sat idle and drifting; foraging and traveling behaviour was observed when the pod made their turn back to the east and we left them at Blinkhorn. Other sightings today were: Several Stellar Sea Lions swimming and interacting together in playfulness, Harbor Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Red-necked Phalaropes, Pigeon Guillemots, Black Turnstones, Bald Eagles and an Eaglet in its nest, California Gulls and three flocks of unidentified ducks flying SE were also seen.

Heading out on tour this afternoon heavy SE winds were already in force with choppy waters and winds gusts; the sea state made worse by the flood current against the SE winds. The A36’s were headed to the east in Blackfish Sound, they were traveling grouped together the three brothers: A32 (44 years old) A37 (31 years old) and A46 (26 years old). This subpod will eventually die out because their mother, the matriarch A36 died in 1998 and there are no surviving female offspring. It is always a special treat to see these brothers. Other sightings today were: Stellar Sea Lions, Dall’s Porpoises, Rhinoceros Auklets, Red-necked Phalaropes, Pigeon Guillemots, Bald Eagles and an Eaglet in a nest, Glaucous-winged and California Gulls were also seen.

It was another beautiful day of viewing resident orcas in the waters of Johnstone Strait. The pods that were sighted today were the A8’s, A23’s, A25’s, A24’s and the A12’s. They were again well spread out across Johnstone Strait. Traveling, foraging, tail slapping, breaching and spy-hopping socializing behaviour was observed. Passengers on both vessels enjoyed wonderful encounters with some surprise viewings near to the boats as they sat idle and drifting. A-Clan vocals and ecolocation could be heard via the hydrophone and were wonderful to listen to. Other sightings today: A very rare sighting of a Northern Elephant Seal sighted by crew and passengers on the SV Tuan en route to viewing orcas. When an elephant seal dives for food, it can remain submerged for 80 minutes and reach depths of up to 5000 ft(1500 m). Dall’s Porpoises bow riding briefly, Harbor Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Red-necked Phalaropes, Bald Eagles and an Eaglet in a nest, Glaucous-winged and California Gulls+++ were also seen.

The orcas were reported as being to the far east in Johnstone Strait in the early morning, they were resting near Port Neville and began traveling to the west at a rapid and steady pace. It was on the afternoon tour that we encountered them just west of the Boat Bay Light on the Cracroft Island shore, the A8’s and the A24’s, other pods were further behind in the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, foraging and heading west as well. Some wonderful viewing was observed and A-Clan calls were heard via the hydrophone. It was a spectacular and beautiful afternoon to be out on the water. Other sightings today were: Stellar Sea Lions, Dall’s Porpoises, Harbor Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Red-necked Phalaropes, Bald Eagles and an Eaglet in a nest, Glaucous-winged and California Gulls.

The fog was again present when the SV Tuan headed out on tour this morning. Johnstone Strait cleared quickly and then around noon, fog drifted out of Weynton Passage, drifting as far west as Alert Bay and clearing again as we left on our afternoon tour. A beautiful day and wonderful encounters with orca sightings early in the morning and again on the afternoon tour. The orcas were all spread out across the Strait on both sides on both tours, their blows could be seen in all directions. Passengers observed some intensive foraging, spy-hopping, breaching, traveling and resting behaviour. The pods seen today nearby were: The A8’s, A24’s and the G17’s. Other sightings were: Dall’s Porpoises, Harbor Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets , Pigeon Guillemots, Red-necked Phalaropes, Bald Eagles and an Eaglet in a nest, Glaucous-winged and California Gulls.

The morning fog began clearing ahead of SV Tuan as it headed out on tour and beautiful photographic images were made possible. The orcas were resting in the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, all of the A5’s and the A24’s, as well the A12’s, but further east when the SV Tuan arrived and passengers were content to watch from the reserve boundary. It was wonderful and very surprising to see the A5’s and the A24’s suddenly make their move towards the boat as it sat idle and travel out of the reserve, heading back to the west. The viewing was superb! On the afternoon tour, passengers on board MV Cetacea enjoyed watching the interaction between numerous Pacific White-sided Dolphins and orcas. The orcas were taking long dives traveling and some foraging behavior was also observed. Other sightings were: Bow riding Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Dall’s Porpoises, Harbor Seals, one Coastal Black-tailed Deer, Rhinoceros Auklets +++ Pigeon Guillemots, Red-necked Phalaropes, Black Oyster Catchers, Bald Eagles+++ and two Eaglets in their nests, Glaucous-winged and California Gulls.

Today was like a repeat of yesterday with so many orca sightings, it was such a wonderful day for those on board. The pods were all spread out across Johnstone Strait and the sights, and the sounds of the A-Clan calls were phenomenal! The pods that were present today were: The A30’s, A8’s, A24’s, A23’s and A11’s. Other sightings were: Dall’s Porpoises, Stellar Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Rhinoceros Auklets +++ Pigeon Guillemots, Red-necked Phalaropes, Black Oyster Catchers, Bald Eagles, Glaucous-winged and California Gulls.

Today has to be one of the best days of the season with many pods of orcas being present in Johnstone Strait. The fog lasted long into the day making the finding of orcas difficult in the morning, and while their blows could be heard it was not always possible to see an orca but breaking out of the fog into Johnstone Strait near Weynton Island, the orcas were clearly visible and beautiful to see. On the afternoon tours, the viewing was wonderful. Orcas could be seen stretching well across the Strait, some were foraging, many of them were observed to be in resting lines. Pacific White-sided Dolphins joined MV Cetacea , riding at the bow early in the tour and could be seen frequently by passengers on both vessels, they were also seen interacting with the orcas who were taking long dives. Because the pods were so spread out it was not possible to see them all. Time was spent viewing the A30’s and A24’s and on the way home, up in Weynton Passage, the A11’s were sighted. The lighting was glorious with the sun shining on them as they lay resting on the surface of the water, as well, there were multiple spy-hops observed which delighted everyone on board. Other sightings today were: Dall’s Porpoises, Stellar Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets +++ Pigeon Guillemots, Common Murres, Black Oyster Catchers, Black Turnstones, Bald Eagles, Glaucous-winged and California Gulls.

Today was a truly amazing day to be on the water. Overcast conditions and rain was forecast but as we headed out on our tours this morning, the day cleared and our viewing began in earnest. A humpback whale was sighted en route to viewing orcas off Malcolm Point early in the day by passengers aboard the MV Cetacea, This humpback whale was new to the area, having not been seen before. The A36’s were sighted at the top end of Malcolm Island, they were foraging and then turned east with other incoming pods who were also sighted close-by, the A30’s and the A12’s. All pods were moving steadily eastbound and were also seen by passengers aboard the SV Tuan. Spy-hopping, tail slapping and breaching was observed. On the afternoon tour, passengers aboard the SV Tuan were delighted to view the same incoming pods as they headed east from Lizard Point, foraging and resting behavior was observed, some resting calls were heard via the hydrophone. Other sightings today were: Harbor Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets +++ Pigeon Guillemots, a Common Murre, Bald Eagles and California Gulls.

On the afternoon tour passengers on board M.V. Cetacea encountered the orcas the A24’s, A8’s and A25’s heading back to the west, foraging as they went along the Hanson Island shore. An orca was seen with a salmon in its mouth, spy-hopping was also observed but mostly the behavior noted was foraging. The A-Clan vocals were wonderful to listen to via the hydrophone. Passengers on board SV Tuan enjoyed the presence of a group of 16 or more Dall’s Porpoises riding at the bow of the boat for quite some time, there were also sightings of Stellar Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, Bald Eagles and an Eaglet in the nest, Glaucous-winged and California Gulls.

It was a beautiful day on the water and the orca sightings wonderful. It began with the initial sighting of A46 (youngest of the three brothers of the A36 pod) he was foraging ahead of his brothers and close to the VI shore while A32 and A37 were foraging centre strait. The other orcas, the A8’s, A23’s and A24’s were further behind; most of the A24’s were on the Hanson Island shore. It was lovely listening to the A-Clan vocalizations via the hydrophone. On the afternoon tour, the A36’s were again sighted. The other pods had made their way back to the east and into the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. The A36’s meanwhile continued to forage intensively at Cracroft Point, working their way towards the west in the ebb current. Their A-Clan vocals were superb to listen to and it was wonderful to view these three majestic brothers, alive and seemingly well in Johnstone Strait once again. Other sightings today: Dall’s Porpoises, Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, Black Oyster Catchers, Black Turnstones, Bald Eagles, Glaucous-winged and California Gulls.

The orcas seen on todays tour were the A24’s, A23’s and A8’s. They were foraging and resting, heading west along the Hanson Island shore before turning back to the east. Passengers were very excited, enjoying the viewing and listening to the A-Clan vocals which were wonderful to hear via the hydrophone. Several Dall’s Porpoises were seen with their Calves, as well the sighting of a Humpback Whale that was feeding in Weynton Passage. Other sightings today: Harbour Seals, one Coastal Black-tailed Deer, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, a Common Murre, a Solitary Sand Piper, a Canada Goose, Bald Eagles and California Gulls.

What a beautiful day for viewing orcas in Johnstone Strait! Fog again obscured the waterways when SV Tuan headed out on tour this morning, but the clearing was rapid with big spaces opening up ahead of us as we cruised along. Orcas were reported east bound in the fog bank on the VI shore, passing into the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve and hidden in the fog. Crossing Blakney Passage and nearing Cracroft Point on the other shore, a curtain of fog lifted revealing a very large dorsal fin and other smaller fins in the distance. What a surprise for the excited guests on board catching their first glimpse of orcas! A38 was foraging suddenly nearby, followed by A39, both of them proceeding a little further west foraging. The rest of the A30’s who had been foraging formed a resting line and began making their way very slowly, crossing the strait towards the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. A39 who had made his way more centre strait turned, as did A38 and both began moving east in the direction of their family. The orca sightings were superb, as was the natural beauty and lighting surrounding them. Other sightings today: harbour seals, rhinoceros auklets,, pigeon guillemots, bald eagles, surf scoters and california gulls.

It was a day of breathtaking beauty, one of dramatic change where the dense fog of the morning evaporated into a day and afternoon of glorious sunshine. The pods seen today were the same as yesterday, all of the A5’s and the A30’s. It is reassuring to see that their travel to the far east (traveling great distances) in search of food has changed in recent days and they are spending more time in the western part of Johnstone Strait, foraging in the area from the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve up to Turn Point or further west to the Stephenson Islands and Beaver Cove, then turning back to the east. On our tours today they were observed to be foraging most of the time, in their family groups, well spread out across the strait. Some half breaches, resting, a spyhop and some playful interaction between siblings were also observed. Other sightings today: harbour seals, dall’s porpoises, rhinoceros auklets,, bald eagles and an eaglet in the nest, california gulls+++, belted kingfishers, a great blue heron and black oyster catchers.

The morning tour on SV Tuan began with a heavy fog and almost zero visibility but what a sight when tree tops began appearing out of nowhere along the shoreline. When the curtain of fog had finally cleared in Johnstone Strait, the orcas were sighted and beautifully so! It was the same group as yesterday, the A5’s and the A8’s. They were all spread out and foraging, some along the Hanson Island shore and others crossing over to the VI shore. With the engine off and the boat drifting in the current, A-Clan vocals could be clearly heard via the hydrophone. On the afternoon tour, after a brief encounter of bow-riding Pacific White-sided Dolphins, MV Cetacea met up with the A25’s who were traveling back to the east, foraging steadily along the VI shore, the other pods were further east and in the Robson Bight Reserve. After listening to their A-Clan calls, we left the area and headed up into Blackfish Sound where the A30’s were sighted heading in from Bold Head. It was exciting viewing. A39 was sighted followed by the A54’s and a single Pacific White-sided Dolphin who was swimming with them. The A50’s foraged near to the boat delighting passengers; the two calves played on the surface for a time and it was interesting to hear a single call on the hydrophone and watch as the two calves raced after their mother. A 38 was also seen at a distance where the small nick near the top of his dorsal fin could be seen by binoculars. Other sightings today: harbour seals, dall’s porpoises, rhinoceros auklets, white-winged and surf scoters, bald eagles and california gulls+++.

This morning the orcas were sighted at Cracroft Point, they were in resting lines, the rhythmic pattern of their surfacing in unison to exhale and inhale was beautiful to watch and mesmerizing as were the sounds they made in the stillness of the morning; the A5 pods and the A24’s. On the afternoon tour, the orcas were moving west from Cracroft Point along the Hanson Island shore. Light winds were blowing and both the main sail and the stay sail were hoisted enabling passengers the experience of sailing quietly with the orcas while trailing the hydrophone while listening to their A-Clan calls. Some of the pods carried on west towards the Stephenson Islands (the A25’s and A8’s) while the A23’s and A24’s crossed over to the VI shore, all of them foraging. It was up in Beaver Cove that all of the pods foraged intensively before they turned back to the east. The lighting was beautiful and the sightings superb! California Gulls were again spread across much of Weynton Passage, a spectacular sight and sound as they fed contently in the flood current.

Heading out on tour this afternoon it was reassuring to know that orcas were again plying the waters of Johnstone Strait. The three pods, the A24’s, A8’s and A23’s who had foraged at the top end of Johnstone Strait in the morning had made their way back to the east and into the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. As happened yesterday afternoon, we again encountered orcas at the Boat Bay light after they had left the Reserve, heading back to the west. The A8’s were nearest to the boat, they were foraging as they traveled along. A-Clan vocals could be heard via the hydrophone and passengers again enjoyed some wonderful viewing. On the way home, bow-riding Dall’s Porpoises traveled along for some 30 minutes delighting everyone on board. At Weynton Passage, the lighting was superb, the water was white with Gulls, mostly California Gulls who were resting in the back eddy of the flood current.

It was a perfect day for viewing orcas in Johnstone Strait! Soon after leaving the dock and well ahead of serving our morning tea of fresh baked muffins, we were sailing with the A12’s who were spread out and foraging at the top end of Johnstone Strait and also into Beaver Cove. With the main sail up and a very light breeze blowing, we were able to sail quietly along trailing our hydrophone from which the A-Clan calls could be clearly heard. The viewing was superb, it was a glorious day, quiet out on the water and the calls were beautiful to listen to. Tail slapping, foraging and two breaches were observed (A55). When A12 and A33 made their way over to the Stephenson Islands, the A34’s followed and they all passed through Weynton Passage. At the same time, a humpback whale was sighted in Weynton Passage traveling into Johnstone Strait, taking long dives. It was at Weynton Island that it traveled close into shore, along the shoreline of Hanson Island where passengers enjoyed some very good viewing. On the afternoon tour, the A12’s were sighted at the Boat Bay Light. They had traveled back into Johnstone Strait via Blackfish Sound, and were swept through Blakney Passage on the flood current, traveling then into the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. We encountered them at the light, after they had left the Reserve, heading back to the west, foraging as they went and passengers again enjoyed some wonderful viewing. Pacific White-sided Dolphins were seen at a distance and on the way home, bow-riding Dall’s Porpoises thrilled and delighted everyone on board. Other sightings were: harbor seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, California Gulls, Harlequin Ducks, Bald Eagles and Surf Scoters.

When the SV Tuan headed out on tour this afternoon there were reports of orcas heading east at the east end of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve (A30’s, A23’s, A8’s) and orcas heading west, west of Lizard Point (A12’s). We began by heading west but when a report came in that some of the pods had turned back to the west at the east end of the reserve, we headed in that direction. The heavy flood current had us make our way swiftly down Blackfish Sound and we were soon in Johnstone Strait where blows and the dorsal fins of the orcas could be seen heading in our direction. A large dorsal fin was sighted nearby, identified as A38 (oldest surviving son of A30 from the A30 pod). He was separate from his family who were much further east in Johnstone Strait, he was observed foraging intensely, moving back and forth. The A8’s were also foraging steadily along the Cracroft shore, turning back at times to forage then moving west against the flood current, taking long dives. One lucky passenger managed to snap a wonderful photo when one of the orcas spy-hopped, delighting everyone. A few dall’s porpoises were observed to be traveling with the A8’s as they crossed Blakney Passage in the heavy flood current. The day was glorious and the lighting magical when we left the orcas, heading for home. Other sightings were: Several stellar sea lions swimming, dall’s porpoises, harbor seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Red-necked Phalaropes, California Gulls, Bald Eagles and Surf Scoters.

What a special viewing! It was a wonderful day for passengers onboard the SV Tuan. Heading east in Johnstone Strait this morning orca blows could be seen on the VI shoreline heading our way; other blows were also sighted at the bottom end of Hanson Island. As we neared the approaching orcas on the VI shore, the engine was cut and the hydrophone deployed. Several small groups were observed foraging close to the shore but in the shaded waters it was not easy to identify them. The A30’s were present and some other pods, possibly G-Clan pod(s), G-Clan calls were heard, as well as A-Clan calls. The A30’s were superb! Foraging further out from the shore they were clearly visible and passengers had some memorable moments when they turned to travel back to the east passing nearby. A few more delightful moments were spent watching A73 (Bend) stopping near-by to nudge up to and against a log as though in play. The orcas were seen to be foraging intensively, and passengers watched as A30 foraged back and forth, A38 also foraged nearby with his mother. Heading into Weyton Passage, Dalls Porpoises joined us at the bow, bow-riding. Watching them dart back and forth below the water line and above is always a treat. Other sightings throughout the day were: Three hauled out stellar sea lions and several others in the water, harbor seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Red-necked Phalaropes, Black Turnstones, California Gulls, Bald Eagles and an eaglet in the nest. As the mist cleared from Weynton Passage, on the way home, a sparkling sea-scape was revealed in the warming and most welcome sunshine.