A30 Orcas and Humpback whales in Blackfish Sound & Weynton Passage ~ Brilliant viewing!

What a relaxed and magical day we all shared, it was absolutely wonderful. Beginning with an early sighting of a Humpback whale passing by us on a long dive as it travelled quickly to the west, shortly after we left Alder Bay this morning. Cutting across  Johnstone Strait and through the Stephenson Islands, we observed the A30 Matriline at first from a distance and then following from behind. After they had traversed through Lulu Island Pass (Plumper Island waterway) and turned into Blackfish Sound, A38 and A39  commenced foraging to the west at the top end of Blackfish Sound while their sisters,  A50 and A54 and calves were further east, all of them spread out and foraging. We listened and heard their beautiful A-Clan calls via our hydrophone while they foraged, there was  a lot of interaction between A50's younger calves with spyhopping, breaching and tail slapping behaviour observed; their playfulness kept us watching with much intrigue, anticipation and amusement, it was so special seeing them in this intimate and relaxed manner. Throughout the tour we could see them foraging, resting and suddenly moving forward towards the Queen Charlotte Strait before being swept back into Blackfish Sound with the flooding current.  Adding to the contrast and diversity of the day, there were five Humpback Whales that we also encountered in the area including the first one that we sighted near Alder Bay in Johnstone Strait and also the one in Weynton Passage on our way home.  The highlight of the day for some was the magnificent spontaneous single breach of a humpback whale, an unbelievable sight to those who were lucky enough to be watching! While A50, A54 and calves were relaxed and resting much of our viewing time,  A38 & A39, foraged more intensely, they were exciting to watch and the Humpback Whales appeared effortless in their feeding, passing us nearby and also into the distance we could see them. The day was warm, the sea calm and it was so good to share this day in the company of so many Cetaceans. We also sighted: Dall's Porpoises, a single Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Harbour Seals, Black Oyster Catchers, Ruddy Turnstones, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Belted Kingfishers, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, California, Herring and Glaucous-winged Gulls.