Photo credit: Bruce Paterson

From the Wheelhouse:

It was another wonderful sunny day on the water!  We didn't have to go far from Telegraph Cove to find transient (marine mammal eating) killer whales this morning.  We saw T101, T101A, T101B, and T102.  At first they were travelling at high speeds and they would slow down and do some circles and then get back to high speed travelling again.  It was quite nice to see these transient killer whales as they can be quite elusive. 

We spotted 'Freckles' the Humpback whale also today who has become one of the areas 'regulars'.  There were also lots of Dall's porpoise and harbour seals along with Common Murres and their babies.  The flat calm sea's and short sleeve weather made it a fantastic day.  We are patiently waiting to see some resident (fish eating) killer whales come back into the area since they headed west 2 days ago.

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day (chosen by long time friend Bruce Paterson):

'A first rate soup is better than a second rate painting.'  Abraham Mascow

Next Available Tour:

Friday, September 3, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Sunday, September 5, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo Credit: Head Naturalist Christie M.

From the Wheelhouse:

It was another beautiful and calm day out on the water! The orcas from yesterday seemed to have continued out to the West, so they were out of our range today. This gave us the opportunity to experience more of the amazing diversity that this area has to offer!

This morning we had the chance to see a small humpback whale who we were able to identify as BCY0727 or "Freckles". There were also many birds around.... lots of common murres with their young chicks, and out on Foster Island we had the opportunity to see a large group of surfbirds. Passengers also had the chance to get a fantastic look at a Minke whale. Minkes often surface very quickly and spend little time at the surface, but the individual seen today was travelling more slowly, which gave us more time to have a better look at him/her.

Harbour seals, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, and hundreds of Dalls porpoise were seen on both this morning's trip and this afternoon's trip. This afternoon we also had the opportunity to view a group of about 50 Pacific white-sided dolphins!! The dolphins were bow riding, wake riding, and leaping right out of the water... absolutely incredible!!!

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost." - G.K. Chesterton

Next Available Tour:

Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Friday, September 3, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Stacey H.

From the Wheelhouse:

What a spectacular day out on the water! This morning the resident (fish eating) orca were passing by the mouth of Telegraph Cove as we were leaving, so we sure didn't have to go too far to find them! This afternoon the killer whales were moving rapidly, and we found them about 20 miles North West of Telegraph Cove. Today we sighted 80 - 90 resident orca, some of the matrilines included the I11's, C6's, A30's and A8's; however, with so many whales in the area we were unable to identify them all. Behaviour we observed today included travelling, foraging, tail slaps, spy hops, long dives and fantastic vocals!!

The showers that we had off and on today didn't dampen guests excitement at all today, as we also had the opportunity to view a grey whale, lots of Dall's porpoise, harbour seals, Steller sea lions and a group of about 20 Pacific white-sided dolphins. There were also many eagles and sea birds to be seen today, including rhinoceros auklets, sooty shearwaters, common murres, belted kingfishers, and Northern phalaropes. Flat calm seas, beautiful lighting, and massive dorsal fins everywhere you looked made for a breathtaking day!

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"Do we not all spend the greater part of our lives under the shadow of an event that has not yet come to pass?" Maurice Maeterlinck

Next Available Tours:

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Friday, September 3, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo Credit: Captain Wayne

From the Wheelhouse:

The I15s were in great form today.  We heard them at 7:00 a.m. close to Telegraph Cove.  We caught up with this group during the morning trip, the fog and then the sun coming out allowed for great lighting for photographers.  We had a great look at a humpback whale named "Cresent", this whale was first seen in the area in 2007 and has been seen every year since then.

We saw the first Perigrine Falcon of the season, it looked to be an adult.  This afternoon the I15s were vocalizing, and we had the chance to hear some incredible G-clan calls through our hydrophone (underwater microphone).  When you add Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoise, Pacific white sided dolphins, and a Minke whale, we truly had a wonderful day on the calm sea.

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virture is doing it." - David Star Jordan

Next Available Tours:

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Carmen Pendleton

From the Wheelhouse:

Today was one of those stunning days that remain in the 'photo card' of the brain.  Calm seas, sun, and orca with beautiful misty blows - and in every direction!  It really doesn't get much better than this!  This morning there were killer whales 5 minutes from the dock in Telegraph Cove, orca everywhere that you looked, it was absolutely amazing.  With all of the different groups it made ids very difficult, but it was very pleasing for our guests, who were truly fortunate to have all of these groups in the Straits.  And to top it all off, we had Steller sea lions, a Minke whale and some great looks at mature and immature bald eagles.

Orca sighted in the area today included the following matrilines - A12s, A30s, C6s, A34s, I115, A8s and A24s.  In total there were 60 - 70 orca.  Behaviour today included breaches, spy hops, tail slaps and some great vocals from members of both A and G clans. 

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"People are always neglecting something they can do in trying to do something they can't do." - Edgar W. Howe

Next Available Tours:

Monday, August 30, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo credit: Bruce Paterson

From the Wheelhouse:

It was a another great day on the water with lots of fish eating killer whales, humpback whales, and the smaller cetaceans.  The Coast Guard 508 has been very busy this week with lots of incidents and we just want to reiterate how important it is to have them based here in Telegraph Cove.  Good job fellows of the '508'. 

Our guest were thrilled today to view the I15 matriline of fish-eating killer whales.  With approximately 17 animals in the area both tours today enjoyed spy hops, tail slaps and traveling behaviour.  It was a little breezy today so it was difficult to get any good vocalizations with the hydrophones.  This afternoon wonderful resting lines.  Marine detective Jackie has written some wonderful information on orcas and how their resting behaviour.  Please check it out at:  http://themarinedetective.com/2010/08/24/breath-taking-beauty-resting-lines-of-killer-whales/

We also encountered two humpback whales, 10 Steller sea lions, lots of Dall's porpoise and a nice pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins.  The seabirds are amazing at this time of year as well for those avid birders!  The lighting on the water today was quite special and to see the orcas in the resting lines with their blows against the dark water was very special!

Captain Wayne's quote of the day:

'Life without a friend is death without a witness.'

Next available tour:

Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Monday, August 30, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo Credt: Captain Wayne

From the Wheelhouse:

Today was a super day with killer whales close to Telegraph Cove.  With the rain holding off for most of the day we saw the I15s on both the morning and afternoon trips.  The I15s are part of the "G" clan and today we saw 17 killer whales.  As seen in the picture above they were travelling and foraging close to the shore.  Everyone was very happy to see some breaches and spy hops along with some amazing vaocalizations.

Also spotted today were two humpback whales.  Along with these humpback whales were many Dall's porpoise.  One of these Dall's porpoise were seen "playing" with one of the humpback whales which was pretty neat.  There were at least 30 harbour seals out on the rocks and splashing around in the water.  All in all another incredible wildlife adventure in the Broughton Archipelago!

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"Debt is a trap which man sets and baits himself, and then deloveratley gets into." - Josh Billings

Next Available Tour:

Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Monday, August 30, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo Credit: Captain Wayne

From the Wheelhouse:

This morning we were lucky enough to have some good dry weather for our guests to view some resident (fish-eating) orca in the area.  We saw the I15s, A34s, A36s, and A12.  They were quite active with some breaches and spy hops and tail lobs.  As usual we had many Dall's porpoise that like to ride the wake of the boat.

The rain that came this afternoon did not deter guests from viewing the same families of killer whales seen this morning on the outside decks of the boat.  The heavy downpoors we had did not take away from the great whale viewing today.  We also saw three humpback whales and as seen in the photo above a Minke whale.

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"Unless you bear with the faults of a friend you betray your own" - Publilius Syrus

Next Availble Trips:

Friday, August 27, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo Credit: Captain Wayne

From the Wheelhouse:

Well, once again it was an amazing day out on the water! Guests today were pleased to view 3 different matrilines of resident (fish eating) orca, the A23's, A30's and I15's, with a total of 31 animals. This morning we were able to watch the whales spread out and fishing, westing from Lizzard Point.  Some great vocalizations!

This afternoon we were fortunate with the same group of whales as they turned and came east and were just crossing Weyton Pass by the end of the day.  The whales were very quiet this afternoon but we had amazing viewing of slow resting lines.  There were lots of Dall's porpoise in the area, harbour seals and the sea birds are in the hundreds!  Just a brilliant afternoon.

Captain Wayne's quote of the day:  

'The one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable.'   J.F. Kennedy

Next available tour:

Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Friday, August 27, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm



 

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"The one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable." - J.F. Kennedy

Next Available Trip:

Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Friday, August 27, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo credit: Jackie Hildering

From the Wheelhouse:

Awe-inspiring beauty today as 35+ killer whales formed two resting lines; multiple families (matrilines) tucked in tight to one another making beautiful synchronous dives. These fish-eating ("resident") killer  killer whales included the A34s, A23s, A24s. A25s and A30s. The I15s and A36s were in the area as well.

It was one of those rare days where in addition to the fish-eating killer whales, we also sighted a family group of  the mammal-eating ("transient") killer whale which were identified as the T2 group.

As if that were not enough, the huge Steller sea lion males were basking in the sun, growling at one another while bald eagles called to their newly fledged chicks. There were lots of harbour seals hauled out as well and a humpback whale and Dalls porpoise were also sighted.

Such beauty and diversity . . .  all in one small area.

Captain Waynes's Quote of the Day:

"Many a man has lost a lot of money through the top of his pocket as well" - annon.

Next Available Trips:

Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Friday, August 27, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm