Photo Credit: Naturalist, Jackie Hildering

From the Wheelhouse:
We continue to enjoy amazing killer whale activity in Johnstone Strait and - so much more.

The fish-eating ("resident") killer whales present in the Strait included the I15s, A30s, A8s, A23s and A25s making for more than 35 whales. These whale families ("matrilines") were socializing allowing us to hear great vocals and see behaviours like spyhopping, tail slapping and breaching.

We also saw Pacific white-sided dolphins interacting with Steller sea lions; the dolpins leaping around the sea lions, the Stellers rolling around at the surface. This is an interaction we rarely witness. We noted that one of the sea lions carried the brand "23R" indicating that this animal was branded as a pup in Rouge Reefs, Oregon.

The humpback BCY0727 ("Freckles") was also in the area as were many Dall's porpoise.

And all this was sighted on flat calm seas. Indeed, another beautiful day in paradise.

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"Some people are born great, others achieve greatness, but some just grate on others." Anon.

Next Available Trips:

Tuseday, August 24, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo Credit: Christie McMillan

From the Wheelhouse:

Today was another amazing day of orcas! This morning we came across the I15 and A36 matrilines of resident (fish-eating) killer whales in Blackfish Sound. The A36 boys were travelling close behind the I15 females! There were wonderful calls from the I15 group as well. As we went through Blackney Pass with those whales, a large group of resident orca was coming up from the East... the vocals were INCREDIBLE as these two groups met up! We also had the chance to see 'Freckles' the humpback whale, a small group of Steller sea lions and a few adult bald eagles.

This afternoon we had a chance to view the A30s and A24s as they headed down Johnstone Strait towards the Robson Bight - Michael Bigg Ecological Reserve.  There were more superb calls as well as echolocation. There were many more orca in the Reserve as well. Although boats must stay 1 km. offshore in the area of the Reserve, we were able to see breaches and hear the sounds of the orca rubbing their bodies on the smooth pebble beaches!

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"With the catching ends the pleasures of the chase." - Abraham Lincoln

Next Available Tours:

Monday, August 23, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo credit: Captain Jim

From the Wheelhouse:

It was the most incredible day on the water today! The morning was spent with the I15 matriline of the fish eating killer whales.  They appeared to be foraging and heading steadily into the Johnstone Strait area.  We also spotted a minke whale within a few hundred metres of the orcas; and just minutes from leaving the I15's we came across the A24 matriline!

This afternoon we joined the I15 and A24 groups again and after they had met up with a large group of resident orcas coming up from the east including the A34s; A36s; A12 and more!!  The whales were spyhopping over and over and over again.  What an amazing sight that was to see.

With our hydrophone in the water at the same time as all of the socializing the vocals were out of this world.  The whales present were from two different clans (A and G clans), which means that they had different dialects from one another.  We believe that the different dialects are what helps these whales choose suitable mates....by selecting to mate with whales that sound different from themselves, the whales can avoid mating with  a closely related individual.

Next available tour:

Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo Credit: Naturalist, Carmen Pendleton

From the Wheelhouse:

Well once again, a tremendous day with the resident (fish eating) orcas! This morning we spotted a group of orcas 2 minutes from Telegraph Cove, and this afternoon we found them 20 minutes from the cove! The matrilines we viewed today included the A30's, I15's, A23's, A34's, A36's and A12, for a total of 41 whales! Guests were thrilled with great vocals, echo location, breaches, spy hopping, tail slaps and foraging.

Combined with calm waters and warm weather it was absolutely beautiful out on the water today! The lighting was great, and this allowed for some superb photos. In the right picture above you can see the nick in the dorsal fin, and the saddle patch, which is used like a thumb print to identify different killer whales. Using the dorsal fin and saddle patch we are able to identify this orca as A60 "Fife", who was struck by a boat propellor in 2004. 

We also sighted a group of Steller sea lions, lots of Dall's porpoise, a Minke whale, and over 30 harbour seals. There was also many sea birds, including: rhinoceros auklets, common murres, bald eagles, belted kingfishers, Northern phalaropes, and  pelagic cormorants. What a fabulous day!

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"Example is the school of mankind and they will learn at no other." - Burke

Next Available Tour:

Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Naturalist, Stacey H.

From the Wheelhouse:

Well we've been waiting for a day like today.  There were about 60 resident (fish-eating) killer whales to be viewed in the area.  This made for a fantastic day on the water.  We saw the A25's, A23's, A24's, A34's, A36's, A12, A12's, I15's, A30's and the I11's.  These orca were spotted breaching and spyhopping, many tail lobs and power turns.   When we dropped the underwater hydrophone in the water we were very happy to be able to listen to these magnificent marine mammal's vocalizations! 

We also were lucky enough on this wonderful day to see two humpback whales.  We saw some great tail flukes, which is how we identify individual humpback whales, by the markings on the tails.  There was also one Minke whale in the area today, along with lots of Dall's porpoise and harbour seals.  This is a day that many of us will not forget!

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"Men are not influenced by things, but by their thoughts about things." - Epictetus

Next Available Trips:

Friday, August 20, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo Credit: Naturalist Stacey H.

From the Wheelhouse:

Well what a treat! Today we were lucky enough to see 'G' Clan killer whales, the I15 matriline, which is made up of 16 orca in total. This morning the group was all spread out, but there were some great vocals.  This afternoon it was pretty spectacular to see 16 whales in a resting line. There were also lots of spy hops to be seen!

This morning the humpback whale known as 'Freckles' was spotted in the area as well. There was some fluking, as seen in the picture above. Other wonderful wildlife viewed today included Pacific white-sided dolphins, Steller sea lions and lots of Dall's porpoise. Among the birds sighted were hundreds of rhinoceros auklets, common murres, bald eagles, Northern phalaropes and pelagic cormorants. We can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"The world belongs to the energetic." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Next Available Trip:

Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Friday, August 20, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo credit: Christie McMillan

From the Wheelhouse:

It was another beautiful day on the water!  This morning we spotted 'Freckles' (BCY0727) the humpback whale in Blackfish Sound.  Freckles was swimming in big circles, likely looking for small fish or krill to feed on.  We also had the opportunity to see a group of about 20 Steller sea lions and as we were returning to Telegraph Cove we had a group of Dall's porpoise riding the bow of the boat.

The sun came out this afternoon and there were resident (fish-eating) orcas coming up from the east...which was exciting news!  We headed down Johnstone Strait and just before we encountered the orcas we spotted a black bear on the beach turning rocks over looking for food.

As we were watching the black bear, the orcas came into view.  There were three families (matriline) of whales....A24's; A23's and the A25's......13 orcas in total.  We listened to the whales foraging along the shoreline and even saw a couple of spyhops and a young one year old whale breaching.  We dropped our hydrophone into the water and had superb sounds from the whales.  It was a great day!

Next available tour:

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Friday, August 20, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo Credit: Naturalist, Carmen Pendleton

From the Wheelhouse:

This morning was a little hazy out on the water due to the many forest fires burning in British Columbia.  We were able to find a humpback whale named Freckles near Stubbs Island.  Not too far away we then found a Minke whale.  While having brief glimpses of this Minke whale some Dall's porpoise found us and went bow and wake riding, which is always exciting to see that close to the boat.

In the afternoon we had a report of some resident (fish-eating) killer whales down Johnstone Straight.  While heading down the straight we had bow/wake riding Dall's porpoise.  When we came across the killer whales we saw the A23's, A24's and the A25's.  We watched as the orca were foraging along the shorline and doing a lot of travelling.

Captain Wyane's Quote of the Day:

"All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was." - Toni Morrison

Next Available Trips:

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

From the Wheelhouse:

It was a radiantly sunny day with mirror calm seas and the wildlife seen under these ideal conditions included three humpbacks, a grey whale, fishing Steller sea lions and bow-riding Dalls porpoise.

Two adult humpbacks travelling together, their blows towering at 2 metres, were "Chunky" (BCX0081) and "Ivy" (BCY0730).  We watched the other humpback "Freckles" (BCY0727) feeding in the tide rip, the Steller sea lions thrashing around near by, the gulls hoping to pick off scraps from the Stellers and Dalls porpoise racing around in the same area as well.

We continue to enjoy watching the first flights of the young eagles, their parents encouraging them to fly off the nest by calling from nearby trees.

The fish-eating killer whales that we had in the area yesterday had continued on to the east. This is cetainly atypcial for this time of year. Historically, this is when we have the most predictable sightings of the killer whales that feed on Chinook salmon since the salmon highway is right outside our doorstep. 

To get a sense of the great biodiversity of the area see www.themarinedetective.ca . This blog is maintained by one of our naturalists and the latest posting is a slideshow of what she saw while diving from Telegraph Cove yesterday.  

Next available tour:

Monday, August 16, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm

Photo Credit: Naturalist Stacie H.

From the Wheelhouse:

What an incredible day out on the water! This morning guests were delighted to encounter a group of Dall's porpoise immediately as we left the cove. We also viewed the A25 matriline of resident (fish eating) killer whales, a Minke whale, Steller sea lions, and lots of birds. The weather was absolutely amazing with flat calm seas, no fog, beautiful sunshine... and the warmest weather we have had all year!!

This afternoon, within 10 minutes of leaving Telegraph Cove, we sighted a humpback whale and a large group of Steller sea lions! We were able to find 2 matrilines of resident orcas off of Donegal Head, the A25's and A24's. As the killer whales moved towards Stubbs Island a Minke whale and "Freckles" the humpback whale joined them and they swam together for approximately a mile. Freckles was bugling when the killer whales first approached, but then seemed to calm down when it was obvious that the orca were the fish eating residents. While watching the killer whales, Minke whale and humpback whale interact we were thrilled as to have 4 baby killer whale breaches in a row!  There was also a group of Dall's porpoise travelling fast enough to create their characteristic 'rooster tail' spray.

It just doesn't get much better than this! What a day!

Captain Wayne's Quote of the Day:

"Certainty is only for the very young, and the very stupid." - Anon.

Next Available Trip:

Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Monday, August 16, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.