September 30:

What a wonderful day we had for our last tour of the season! We could not have asked for anything more. There was an abundance of sightings it seemed in every direction we looked, beginning with a large blow being sighted off into the distance and well ahead of viewing the humpback whale that eventually showed itself. As we drew near, two breaches were observed. At the same time a second humpback whale was sighted and then a third, followed simultaneously by a glimpse of a single dorsal fin. What excitement and joy! The first orca that we sighted at a distance was later identified as A39 and suddenly a second smaller fin was seen, followed by several more dorsal fins. Until our sighting there had not been any reports of orcas in the area and yet there they were; the A30 matriline, foraging steadily in Blackfish Sound. The weather was glorious with wind conditions perfect for hoisting both the stay sail and the main. It was pure magic, moving quietly along, sailing with the whales as they foraged. Stellar sea lions were in the water swimming, one was viewed catching a salmon while others, with much splashing, were seen to be interacting with one of the humpback whales, rolling all over and around it. Where to look and in which direction to head after our wonderful encounter with the orcas! The humpback whales were magnificent, their dive sequence a graceful sight to behold. Traveling home via the island waterways with its sparkling kelp forests, numerous stellar sea lions and some harbour seals were observed hauled out, the sight and sound of the sea lions, their bodies glistening in the sunshine was an interesting sight to see. The final day in September: a season still showing great change and transition for all species, from high above the water to far below it. Throughout the tour, numerous flocks of birds were sighted high in the sky heading south east on their migratory journey. Mindful of the distance they travel, their flight formations ever changing and creating dramatic ribbons in the sky, they were a wonderful sight to see.

With gratitude and thankfulness for the powerfully inspiring and unforgettable images of the day, our final tour of the season had come to an end and our guests departed, all of them, acknowledging the spectacular beauty and wonder of this very special place on planet earth, that like all other natural habitats, must be respected and cared for by “we humans” who live here now.

Some wonderful days of viewing!

September 29: The A30 matriline were sighted again out in the Queen Charlotte Strait, they were foraging near to the Foster Islands, moving slowly eastbound. There was barely a breathe of wind and glassy calm waters that made the viewing superb!
The orcas were mostly silent although some A-Clan calls were heard via the hydrophone.

September 28: Another beautiful and spectacular day of marine mammal sightings! What a wonderful day this turned out to be! Just when we thought there were no orcas in the area and we were focusing on the humpback whales who seemed to be every which way we looked, as blow after blow was sighted with some very good viewing close by, an orca fin was sighted off into the distance. How wonderful that sighting was and soon, the A30 matriline were identified. Everyone on board had a beautiful day of sunshine and marine mammal sightings.

September 26: There were no orcas in the area but the sightings of three humpback whales close by were wonderful. Everywhere passengers looked, humpback whale blows could be seen. There were seven humback whales in the near vicinity in total. A myriad of bird species, stellar sea lions and harbour seals were also seen.

Fall has arrived for sure! Today it was cool and a south east wind was blowing on the water in Johnstone Strait. The A30 matriline were foraging at Cracroft Point, they were well spread out and were focusing intensely on feeding. Because of wind conditions our stay sail was raised enabling easy manoeuvreing, back and forth in the flood current in Blakney Passage while passengers observed the orcas forage. Leaving the area and traveling into Blackfish Sound, the water was calm and soon the blows of two humpback whales were sighted. It was wonderful watching the dive sequences of the pair and glimpsing their flukes when they dived. A large grouping of stellar sea lions were observed hauled out, some 130+ others in the water. Other sightings today were: Dalls porpoises, harbour seals hauled out, sooty shearwaters, rhinoceros auklets, pigeon guillemots, white-winged scoters, surf scoters, oyster catchers, common mergansers in flight, bald eagles and an eaglet nearby the nest, california gulls and glaucous-winged gulls.

This morning when we left Alder Bay the fog was clearing and soon the beauty of Johnstone Strait was revealed, a silver-lit waterway and a sun high in the sky that was shining bright. It was beautiful and so welcome, to again see the seascape and islands after the very heavy fog of yesterday. The A30 matriline were reported in the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, they were at the east end, headed east but turned and began making their way back to the west. While most of the blows could be seen at Critical Point inside the Reserve, two orcas were sighted on the Cracroft side, they were identified as A30 and A38. They were foraging steadily to the west, as were the rest of the family, parallel on the VI shore inside the Reserve. Two pacific white-sided dolphins were observed swimming nearby which resulted in A30 and A38 taking long dives. A38 surprised everyone when he suddenly appeared alongside the boat, he had traveled a distance from his last dive sighting, near his mother, who was still traveling close to the Cracroft shore. The orcas were obviously searching for food, they were focussed, intent on feeding. A30 and A38 made their way over to the VI shore, all of the orcas remained spread out, intent on foraging along the VI shore. Other sightings today were: Pacific white-sided dolphins, sooty shearwaters, common murres, rhinoceros auklets,, bald eagles, a great blue heron, california gulls, glaucous-winged and bonaparte’s gulls.

Shortly after leaving the dock in Alder Bay this morning, small groups of Pacific white-sided dolphins were sighted. The first group of 12 or so rode at the bow of the boat briefly, it was a joy to see them swimming just under the water at the bow of the boat, prior to their heading back to feed. While a heavy fog was present for most of the tour, resident orcas, the A30 matriline (9 orcas in total) were sighted. It is always exciting finding orcas in the fog when they have been reported in the area. Blows were heard and then finally black fins appeared looming through the water. It was a great viewing with all of the 9 individual orcas being seen even though they were well spread out and heading west from Blackfish Sound to Donegal Head. Their A-Clan calls were also heard. Stellar sea lions were observed hauled out, as well many were sighted swimming and one individual was seen feeding on a fish. Other sightings today were: sooty shearwaters +, common murres, rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles, cassin’s auklets, black turnstones, california gulls, glaucous-winged and bonaparte’s gulls.

Just when we thought it could not get any better it did! Today's viewing has to be one of the best of the entire season. Heading out on tour this morning the fog was beginning to clear in Johnstone Strait and yet our first glimpse of an orca took everyone onboard by surprise including crew when the fin of A33 suddenly rose up through the water and out of the fog near to the boat. With the engine cut, passengers sat and watched as A33 continued on to the west, foraging as he went. The hydrophone was deployed and the wonderful A-Clan calls of the A12 matriline were heard, and beautifully so, and with the fog clearing rapidly, other orcas could then be seen further down Johnstone Strait and slowly making their way towards the west. As it turned out, the orcas passed by very near to the boat, and then turning back and forth as they foraged at Turn Point, some swimming under and alongside of the boat. The viewing was superb and left everyone on board smiling! A humpback whale was sighted across Johnstone Strait at Blinkhorn at the time of our orca encounter. Leaving the area, we headed into Weynton Passage where passengers observed the antics of numerous stellar sea lions 30 + hauled out and many, many more who were in the water swimming and fishing. A humpback whale was sighted near Stubbs Island, it was feeding in the flood current; in total there were 5 humpback whales in the area, some could be seen off in the distance and one was sighted on the way home near the Pearse Islands. It was a purely magical and remarkable tour for all onboard. Other sightings today were: harbour seals, sooty shearwaters +++, common mergansers flying south in small flocks of 20 or less, common murres,, red-necked phalaropes, rhinoceros auklets,, bald eagles, cassin’s auklets,, california gulls, glaucous-winged and bonaparte’s gulls.

What a way to spend the day! Nearing Weynton Passage on tour this morning we encountered a large group of Pacific white-sided dolphins, some 100 + that were feeding intensely and passengers enjoyed some wonderful viewing of them. Continuing on and traveling through the Plumper Islands, numerous hauled out harbour seals were sighted as well a pair of bald eagles who were fishing. Once out in Blackfish Sound we began scanning for blows and it was not long before a humpback whale was sighted. As it turned out there were 5 and possibly 6 humpback whales in the near vicinity, they were well spread out in all directions where a blow or fluke could be seen off in the distance. Passengers enjoyed some wonderful viewing of Chunky and her calf and shortly after another adult humpback whale who was observed to have dolphins and stellar sea lions intermingling with it. On our way home, just as the devonshire teas were being served, passengers were treated to a special viewing of a humpback whale that was rolling over and over, waving its pectoral fins about and some 4-6 stellar sea lions were playfully rolling over and around it. It was an incredible and memorable impression for everyone to take home with them as well as some extraordinary photo’s. Other sightings today were: sooty shearwaters +++, common murres,, red-necked phalaropes, rhinoceros auklets,, surf scoters, bald eagles, a great blue heron, california gulls, glaucous-winged and bonaparte’s gulls.

September 13,2008: Not mentioned in yesterdays update: Soon after leaving the dock in Alder Bay yesterday morning, what looked to be a large deadhead in the water, turned out to be a male northern elephant seal which disappeared from sight while we were still a distance away. This summer there has been frequent sightings of northern elephant seals in this area which is quite unusual; they are found further south on Vancouver Island, near Race Rocks, Metchosin and Sooke but especially off the California Coast.

Today was another beautiful day in which to celebrate our favourite month, a time of year that brings a feeling of change in the air, as well, numerous bird species into the area. We encountered the A30’s and the A36 boys at Blinkhorn on our tour early this morning. They were well spread out foraging, working their way to the west with the ebb current, the A36’s going the furtherest west. At one point the A30’s stopped to rest, as did A37 and A46. A-Clan vocals were heard via the hydrophone, resting calls and then calls where we observed A30 (the matriarch) to begin moving further west and soon the A30 pod had formed a resting line, moving slowly west in the ebb current. Traveling through Weynton Passage, numerous stellar sea lions were sighted hauled out, many more were in the water interacting together playfully and several were in the Queen Charlotte Strait swimming and fishing. Humpback whale blows could be seen in the distance in all directions, there were nine in total in the vicinity of Donegal Head, Queen Charlotte Strait and Blackfish Sound. Passengers enjoyed viewing Chunky and her calf, watching their dive sequence was mesmerizing and wonderful to watch. Other sightings today were: hauled out harbour seals, pacific white-sided dolphins, two harbour porpoise, common murres,, red-necked phalaropes, rhinoceros auklets, canada geese, surf scoters, bald eagles, sooty shearwaters, california gulls, glaucous-winged and bonaparte’s gulls.

12 SEPTEMBER, 2008

Today was a beautiful day to be out on the water. The A30’s were sighted off the Sophia Islands this morning heading to the west, their blows could be seen a distance away. They were well spread out and began foraging intensely in the heavy flood current at Blakney Passage, at one point they were seen heading to the west along the Hanson Island Shore and as suddenly they turned back and in a traveling line, passed nearby the boat on their way back to forage again in Blackney Passage. A dozen or more Pacific white-sided dolphins were observed intermingling amongst them. The A12’s were also sighted, they traveled quickly to the east down the VI shore, carried along by the flood current. On the way home, six or more pacific white-sided dolphins came racing along from behind the boat and were soon riding at the bow and passengers enjoyed watching them turning back and forth under the surface of the water. Just when it couldn’t get any better, a humpback whale was sighted foraging near the Stephenson Islands. It was a truly remarkable day in viewing so many marine mammals and sea birds. Other sightings today were: Numerous stellar sea lions hauled out and in the water swimming+++ hauled out harbour seals, common murres,, red-necked phalaropes, rhinoceros auklets, canada geese flying south east, surf scoters, bald eagles, fork-tailed storm petrels, sooty shearwaters, harlequind ducks, oyster catchers, california gulls, glaucous-winged and bonaparte’s gulls.

It was a beautiful and blustery day out on the water with sunshine and orcas! The orcas that were sighted were east of the east end of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve and they were identified as the A30’s. They were well spread out and also heading east, foraging as they went; several pacific white-sided dolphins were intermingling among them, the orcas were consequently taking long dives. A39 was the first orca we sighted, he was heading to the west foraging steadily at the time of our first excited sighting. A72 (Bend) was also sighted foraging near to A50 (mother) and A84 (sibling), they were foraging very close to the Cracroft Island shoreline; A38 and A30 were also seen, as were A54 and her two calves. Just prior to our leaving the area, A39, traveling back to the east to catch up with his family, passed close to the boat as it sat idle, giving everyone a wonderful photographic opportunity. We traveled back via Weynton Passage, viewing the hauled out stellar sea lions +++. Other sightings today were: harbour seals, common murres,, red-necked phalaropes, rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles and california gulls.

The orcas were east in Johnstone Strait at the eastern end of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, they were the A34’s who were resting while A55 was further to the west foraging, just inside the boundary of the reserve. The rest of the A34’s soon began traveling to the west moving rapidly along in the ebb current, some pacific white-sided dolphins were seen intermingling with them nearby. On the way back, two stellar sea lions were sighted swimming along and close to Alder Bay, a black bear was observed foraging on the beach.

With reports of orcas heading east in Johnstone Strait towards the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve we headed in that direction briefly, sighting a Black Bear that was foraging on the beach at low tide. When orcas were reported in Blackfish Sound we veered north, passing through the Blowhole into Blackfish Sound where we encountered the A30’s who were traveling west, foraging along the Swanson Island shore. It was wonderful viewing them as they foraged back and forth steadily, heading west off Bold Head and towards Donegal Head; they were well spread out. A Humpback Whale was sighted along the Swanson shore, moving in our direction and passengers enjoyed some wonderful viewing moments during numerous dive sequences. It was moving steadily west and was soon lost from sight in the ebb current. The A30’s who were quiet earlier began to vocalize and passengers enjoyed listening to their A-Clan calls. It was exciting when A54 and her two calves who had been foraging 200 meters distance away, suddenly turned towards the boat as it sat idle and drifting and swam alongside of and under the boat, much to the delight and wonder of all on board. We cruised home via numerous islands partaking in the beauty and majesty of it all. Other sightings today: stellar sea lions hauled out and swimming++++, harbour seals hauled out++, rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles and an eaglet in a nest, red-necked phalaropes, common murres, two great blue herons, 4 fork-tailed storm petrels, a peregrine falcon, glaucous-winged and california gulls.

Despite the mist that persisted for most of our tour, orcas were sighted this morning in Johnstone Strait. We encountered A12 and A33 traveling west towards Cracroft Point, they were foraging a few 100 meters apart. Distant A-Clan calls could be heard via the hydrophone but mist and fog conditions obscured the VI shore making visibility difficult. The A34’s were located on the VI shore near Kaikash Beach, they too were foraging, making their way to the west. With the hydrophone deployed, their A-Clan calls were heard, this time at a closer range and they were wonderful to listen to. Passengers observed when the A34’s suddenly turned and began heading back to the east, A12 and A33 on the Hanson shore had also turned.

It was a beautiful fall day on the water, the assembly of large numbers of common murres having arrived into the area and the sound of their calls across the water was familiar and signified that fall had indeed arrived. The A12’s were sighted at Big Bay early on in the tour this morning and passengers on the SV Tuan enjoyed observing them as they foraged, traveling east along Hanson Island when they turned into Blakney Passage making their way into Blackfish Sound. A humpback whale was also sighted and some wonderful viewings were enjoyed. It was an action packed afternoon for passengers on the motor cruise. A humpback whale fluke was seen disappearing out of sight out in the Queen Charlotte Strait at the same time that numerous stellar sea lions were swimming close by, exuberant and splashing about. While scanning for the humpback whale, waiting for it to surface again, it was surprising to suddenly see orcas, the A12’s who were also near by in the Queen Charlotte Strait. A33 was well out in the Strait heading west when A12 turned towards Weynton Passage; the A34’s following. A33 circled around and was soon parallel to his mother and entering into Johnstone Strait on the flood current with the A34’s following. A12 and A33 commenced foraging on the VI shore while the A34’s rested, moving slowly down the Hanson Island side of the Strait. The viewing of the humpback whale was superb, meanwhile, stellar sea lions were everywhere it seemed! It was extremely interesting to observe them swimming and feeding in the water and also hauled out. Other sightings today: Humpback whales, harbour seals hauled out, common murres+++, fork-tailed storm petrels, red-necked phalaropes, red-necked grebes, cassin’s auklets, rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles, and california gulls.

It was a beautiful viewing of the A12’s that we were privileged to observe while out on tour today. When we first encountered the orcas they were foraging steadily, west towards Blinkhorn on the VI shore, A12 and A33 were in the lead. The A34’s followed, they too were foraging, A55 was in the lead and it was such a treat viewing this family group at the time that we did. They passed on by and while we were drifting in the current with the engine off listening to their wonderful A-Clan calls, the family suddenly turned and approached nearby. It was a very relaxed and special viewing with multiple spyhopping, resting on the surface, pectoral slapping and playful interactions between all members. Their calls still being heard via the hydrophone, passengers observed as they grouped together forming a resting line and then began to move very slowly towards Weynton Passage, changing direction to drift with the ebb current through one of the passages of the Plumper Islands (Lulu Island Passage). Stellar sea lions were everywhere in the water swimming and playing and amongst the chaos of them all, the A34’s were seen passing gracefully through the same narrow waterway (of which dozens of Stellar Sea Lions were also navigating their way through) and eventually into the Queen Charlotte Strait. Scotch mist persisted and hung for awhile like a curtain of rain obscuring much of the Plumper Islands and the Coast Mountains could not be seen. And yet it was beautiful, the gentle magic of the rain forest unfolded, passengers listened to the calls of birds on the islands and watched the antics of the stellar sea lions, 35+ hauled out and at least double this number swimming in every direction, many in playful interaction with each other. Other sightings today: harbour seals hauled out, rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles, red-necked phalaropes, black turnstones, a great blue heron and california gulls.

This morning orcas were sighted out in front of Alert Bay, just ahead of passengers arriving to board and so it was with much excitement that the tour got underway. It turned out to be the same seven Transient orcas (mammal feeders, mostly marine) who were in the area two days ago, on August 30; the T34’s, T37’s and T72. When SV met up with the orcas they had just finished feeding and were resting and passengers were able to view these transient orcas in their relaxed state. Resting is rarely seen in transients , representing less than 3 % of their overall activity, as compared to 10-15% for residents. Passengers observed that the resting transients were uninterested in two Harbour Porpoises swimming nearby. After a time, the orcas began to travel to the west, passing west of Pultney Point on Malcolm Island. Other sightings today: Stellar Sea Lions swimming, a common Loon, a mink, rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles, red-necked phalaropes and california gulls.

Today was an exceptional day for viewing a variety of marine life. We began our tour with the sighting of a black bear on the beach, this was followed soon after by the sighting of a female northern elephant seal. It is always considered a rare sighting in this area to see one and very exciting for everyone on board to see. The A30’s were foraging west of Blinkhorn on the VI shore, they were well spread out and close to the shore, their foraging was intense and it was wonderful listening to their A-Clan calls via the hydrophone as they foraged. Passing through Weynton Passage en route to viewing two humpback whales, over 116 stellar sea lions were counted hauled out and there were more in the water swimming; it is the most countered so far this season. The viewing of them hauled out is always interesting and never ceases to amaze. The two humpback whales were sighted in the distance in the Queen Charlotte Strait, they were breathtaking to watch. Swimming side by side their surfacing and diving was almost simultaneous, an amazing sight to see. The sunlight was welcome and warm on our backs as we headed for home, what more could we ask for! Other sightings today: harbour seals hauled out, rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles, surf scoters, red-necked phalaropes, a peregrine falcon and california gulls.

When leaving the dock this afternoon the sun was shinning and continued to do so throughout the tour. We first sighted the A12’s off Weynton Passage as they crossed over to the VI shore in the heavy flood current. A55 was foraging steadily in the current off on his own while A34 and the rest of her offspring were foraging and at times could be seen resting, near to the VI shore; their beautiful A-Clan calls were heard via the hydrophone. They soon began to travel east, crossing over to Cracroft Point and passengers enjoyed some wonderful viewing as they foraged nearby the boat in the flood current at Blakney Passage. On our way home, when heading back to the west, 7 Transient orcas were also sighted traveling east down the VI shore. They had been identified as the T34’s, T37’s and T72. The sightings of Transient orcas this summer has been few and so it was an afternoon made even more interesting by their appearance in Johnstone Strait.

Today proved to be a day of wonderful viewing despite the heavy rain! On the morning tour passengers had the experience of sailing with the whales: the A8’s, A23’s and the A30’s and while under sail, by trailing the hydrophone, passengers were able to listen to their wonderful A-Clan vocals as they foraged. On the afternoon sail time was spent with the I12’s, they were also foraging and I47 surprised everyone when surfacing near to the boat, allowing a wonderful and unforgettable sight! The humpback whales were once again back in the area and passengers enjoyed the viewings of KC and another Y Humpback Whale who is new to the area. Two other humpback whales including Houdini, were also sighted in the distance. It was a day of varied weather conditions that also brought with it, some exciting marine sightings. Other sightings today: The rare sighting of 8-10 Arctic Terns, stellar sea lions 75 ++ hauled out and swimming, harbour seals, rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles, surf scoters, white-winged scoters, juvenile pigeon guillemots, red-necked phalaropes, cassin’s auklets and california gulls.

Heading out on tour this afternoon passengers were thrilled to see orcas early on in the tour, they were foraging in the flood current near Turn Point in Johnstone Strait and across to the Vancouver Island shore, well spread out. The three A36 boys had been foraging at Blinkhorn for quite some time ahead of our arrival while the A12’s traveled to the west, foraging along the Hanson Island shore. As they made their way closer to Weynton Passage the A12’s worked their way into the heavy current providing some wonderful viewing. They were observed foraging, resting, spyhopping and pectoral and tail slapping was also seen. The view-scape was remarkable, the backdrop lighting was a silver grey-blue that shone ahead of the coming rain. Meanwhile, the upwellings and whirlpools were amazing to watch with seabirds, orcas, dall’s porpoises and bull kelp all being swept along. It was breathtaking observing natures elements at play! We stayed with the A12’s and watched as they made their way slowly into Weynton Passage traveling at just 2 knots against the flood current, the viewing was superb. Some 80 + stellar sea lions were also seen hauled out in our passing through Weynton Passage and added to the wonderful sights and sounds of the marine world. Other sightings today: Numerous other stellar sea lions swimming, harbour seals, dall’s porpoises, rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles, california and glaucous-winged gulls, 34 canada geese and black turnstones.