Photo credit: Captain Wayne

Photo credit: Bill Haley

From the Wheelhouse:

What a treat today to have calm waters and sunshine!  This morning we had a report of the fish-eating killer whales and we were fortunate enough to see them on both tours today.  They were travelling in a slow westerly movement....no vocals or echo-location.
Our guest really enjoyed the two new calves with the A24's. 

The murres and auklets have come into the area in large numbers and we're see lots of small fish on the surface.  Lots of feed!  Two humpback whales were also seen today and again really active Dall' porpoise bow riding the boats.  Lots of harbour seals and some passive Pacific white-side dolphins.  We think they were enjoying the sun! 

As well as the great bald eagle activity on the water we saw 2 turkey vultures!   It was a great day!

Captain Wayne's quote of the day:

'Here's to our wives who know the worst about us and refuse to believe it.'  Anon

Next available tour:

Friday, July 03, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Saturday, July o4, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Sunday, July 05, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

 
Happy Birthday Canada!

From the Wheelhouse:

This morning we were so fortunate to have Cornelia and Markus (from Switzerland) to play the alphorn to begin Canada Day!  The alphorn or alpenhorn or alpine horn is a labrophone, consisting of a natural wooden horn of conical bore, having a wooden cup-shaped mouthpiece.  This horn is used by mountain dwellers in Switzerland and elsewhere.  Similar wooden horns were used for communication in most mountainous regions of Europe, from French Switzerland to the Carpathians.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police made their annual Canada Day visit to Telegraph Cove this afternoon and everyone looked very festive in their Red Serge uniforms.  Thanks to Emily and Gillian Holmes for decorating Telegraph Cove with Canadian flags!

It was another breezy but bright day on the water.  This morning we followed a report of a possible transient killer whale sighting, but all of the local operators and boats could not find them.  This afternoon was a photographers dream, with lots of active bow riding Dall's porpoise and really amazing bald eagles.  Harbour seals in the kelp beds and seabirds galore!

Captain Wayne's quote of the day:

Toast to sailors:  'May the warm wind at your back not be your own!'

Next available tour:

Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Friday, July 03, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Saturday, July 04, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.

Photo credit: Markus Vogel

From the Wheelhouse:

Guests arriving in Telegraph Cove have been surprised to see the number of eagles that are calling themselves 'residents' this summer.  One in particular is being quite brave and has been seen taking fish scraps from people's hands.  Because the eagles seem to be comfortable sitting for long periods of time close to the boardwalk, they have become a photographer's delight.

It was breezy again today, but the sunshine was very welcome!  It was good to see the humpback whale 'Twister' on this morning's tour.  Twister had been caught in prawn traps twice this year and thanks to the marine emergency response team and helpers this whale has been successfully freed both times.  You can see some of the scarring on the tail shot above.

The killer whales were way out of range today, almost at Campbell River!  We were fortunate despite the choppy seas to have really good encounters with the humpbacks on both tours.  Today we also saw harbour porpoise, harbour seals, Dall's porpoise and again those seabirds!

Captain Wayne's quote of the day:

'There is a danger in reckless change but greater danger in blind conservatism.'  Henry George


Next available tour:

Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Friday, July 03, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

File Photos

From the Wheelhouse:

It was a bit breezy today but we were able to locate the A24's (6 orca) this morning.  Lots of breaches and tail slaps by the new youngster!  As we headed back to Telegraph Cove the killer whales were westing (towards the Cove).

As I prepared my afternoon clients to see them, we boarded and left the Cove.  Mother Nature had a humbling experience as the orcas seemed to vanish into thin air.  We cruised all over and did not find them, however we did encounter a humpback whale that breached and did several tail slaps. 

The brish Northwest wind made sightings of dolphins and the smaller cetaceans a little more challenging but we did see some Dall's porpoise and over 20 harbour seals.  Still lots of seabirds including the bald eagles who are majestic to watch as they swoop to feed.

Captain Wayne's quote of the day:

'If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing rods.'    Doug Larsen

Next available tour:

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo credit: Markus Vogel

From the Wheelhouse:

Today was another amazing day!  With calm seas and some light showers, people from all over the world were treated to active morning and afternoon tours.  Lots of seabirds, and a group of 6 very social orcas....one of them being a new calf.  Lots of tail slaps, pec slaps and even a few belly rolls.  The highlights would have to be the A24's breaching and spy hopping plus some great vocals bringing a couple of passengers to tears!

We also got a good look at a humpback whale, a minke whale, 100 plus Pacific white-sided dolphins, active Dall's porpoise, harbour seals....and even a big black bear on the beach!  Today was a really good day for the seabirds with lots of rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles, northern phalaropes and a few common murres.

Another great day on the water!

Captain Wayne's quote of the day:

'I am not good enough to be a saint, and not bad enough to be intersting.'    Bernadette Devlin

Next available tour:

Monday, June 29, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo credit: Jackie Hildering

From the Wheelhouse:

This morning we received a report of killer whales easting from Bere Point, courtesy of Gordie Graham, and we were so excited to learn that these were resident (fish-eating) killer whales.  The A24's came into the Blackfish Sound and Johnstone Strait area.  A24 was swimming proudly with a new calf at her side.  It was really exciting to see over 100 Pacific white-sided dolphins interacting with the orcas.  Wonderful vocals and echo-location.

Today we were pleased to not only have our international guests, but also front line partners in tourism aboard both tours.  Not only did we see orcas, but also a humpback whale, lots of active Dall' porpoise, harbour seals and an abundance of sea birds and bald eagles.

It was a wonderful day, the weather was a little cool but the what the heck.......we had orcas!!!!

Captain Wayne's quote of the day:

Things Never to Do:  Never never eat at any place called 'Moms'.....Nelson Algren

Next available tour:

Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

From the Wheelhouse:

What a fantastic day on the water!  Calm waters and sunshine put a smile on everyone's face today.  Today was the first sighting of a group of over forty Northern phalaropes.  The seabird activity just keeps getting better by the day.

Both tours today had great sightings.  We had the pleasure of viewing two humpback whales, two minke whales, over 40 Steller sea lions, harbour seals and lots of very active Dall's porpoise.  We also had a black bear on the beach turning rocks and a lone deer.

Large tidal exchanges again today.........just a win win day!

Captain Wayne's quote of the day:

'I like things you don't have to explain because you can't.'   Howard Nemerov

Next available tour:

Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Transient T14

Teachers from the Gwa'sala-Nakwaxda'xw School

   

From the Wheelhouse:

We had the good fortune to be visited by 7 plus transient orca (T14, T20, T02, T02C, T02C1, T02C2 and the T46's), this morning.  It is always quite exciting to see transients as they are quite elusive as they must travel in slealth mode in order to surprise their prey.  We had a magnificent view of a baby breach along with some great surface activity.

Along with the transient orca there was a wealth of other activity on the water.  We have been seeing humpback whales on almost a daily basis in the past couple of weeks and today we had two humpback whale sightings.  Lots of Dall's porpoise, a nice group of Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbour seals and an abundance of bald eagles.  We also had the privilege of taking the teachers from the Gwa'sala-Nakwaxda'xw School for their end of the year celebration!

It was wonderful to have so many passengers interested in nature!  A great day on the water.

Captain Wayne's quote of the day:

'Don't worry about the world coming to an end, it's already tomorrow in Australia.'    Charles Schulz

Next available tour:

Friday, June 26, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

File Photos



From the Wheelhouse:

We were tied to the dock today due to weather.  Lets hope tomorrow is a better day!

Did you Know.......Why do the Northern resident killer whales frequent this area?

We are very fortunate to sight this population of fish-eating killer whales as frequently as we
do because their favorite rubbing beaches are nearby and the salmon-highway (Johnstone
Strait) is outside our front door!

Although they do eat some other fish species , Chinook salmon are the absolute favorite food
of  resident killer whales.  Salmon are very predictable species with their role in Nature being
return from the sea to reproduce (spawn) in the very rivers in which they  were born.  Many of
the salmon targeting their natal rivers further to the south pass through Johnstone Strait
starting around this time of the year.

The intelligent  fish-eating killer whales know where the salmon are going and are even
believed to have the knowledge passed down through generations about where and when their
family would have the most successful hunting.  So when we have healthy salmon runs in
the area, we have frequent sightings of their big predators.  Bring on the salmon!
 
Captain Wayne's quote of the day:

'Boy is it raining!' Captain Wayne 

Next available tour:

Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Friday, June 26, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo Credit: Captain Wayne

From the Wheelhouse:

Well, what a day!  Just as we departed Telegraph Cove for the afternoon tour today, we were all very excited to spot a humpback whale.  As we continued on, there were some great looks at 2 Minke whales, and lots of Dall's porpoise, harbour seals, and even a small group of Pacific white-sided dolphins.

The bird activity was wonderful again to day, with rhinoceros auklets, marbled murrelets, pigeon guillemots, common murres and lots of bald eagles, including opportunity to watch eagles fishing, which is always a sight to behold!  Glassy water conditions added to another great day in paradise.

Captain Wayne's quote of the day:

"Fishing is the sport of drowning worms"

Next Available Tours:

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Friday, June 26, 2009 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm