Brilliant day of whale watching

At the beginning of our tour the A5's (A23's/A25's) who had been foraging in the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve around 6.30 a.m. this morning had since headed east and could not be seen by Marie up on the Cliff opposite to the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. It was at Blakney Passage with still no reports of the A5's being sighted to the east that we turned into the Passage at Little

Hanson Island and then into Blackfish Sound. The day had begun as a cool one with low cloud and mist forming into a fog bank lying low over the water in the middle of Blackfish Sound but as we made our way up to the top end of the Sound, the sky was clear and the sun warm and inviting! Prior to reaching the top end there were several humpback whales reported to be feeding in the area some of whom were taking long dives. We enjoyed viewing a mother and her calf initially and then further over two other whales, both of whom were taking long dives, one was very active and could be seen

moving quickly through the water where gulls and auklets were also feeding intently. Up near Stubbs Island another humpback whale that was sighted in the distance making its way out into the Queen Charlotte Strait against the flooding current suddenly surfaced behind us. It was exciting when again it surprised us surfacing near the bow of the boat where the viewing was superb! Other species also seen today were: dall's porpoises, harbour seals, bald eagles in a nest and fishing low over a herring ball, rhinoceros auklets+++ common murres, herring and glaucous-winged gulls and two great blue herons. On our way home, shortly after departing from Alder Bay a minke whale was sighted nearby much to the delight of those remaining passengers on board; it was a fabulous ending to the day.