Numerous Cetaceans with Orcas, Humpback and Minke Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises ~ fabulous!
August 25, 2014
Today we enjoyed two fabulous tours with wonderful sightings on each tour. This morning we headed down Johnstone Strait where we met up with the A30's who were foraging off Cracroft Point and with several small excited children on board they were not disappointed when a A50 and her calves came by the stern and port-side of our boat as we sat drifting in the current with our engine off and with our hydrophone deployed we could hear their echolocations as they passed by the boat. They foraged, all spread out, in the vicinity of Blackney Passage and just east of Cracroft Point with A38 foraging up as far as the bottom end of Hanson Island. Heading back and nearing Weynton Passage we could see a humpback whale tail lobbing++ in the distance, and as we drew closer it was identified as Inukshuk, a second humpback whale was also seen, both were working the area along the Plumper Islands on the edge of the current. On the afternoon tour, with the A30's reported being at the rubbing beaches in the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve we headed out to look for humpback whales and it was not long before we sighted one working steadily alongside the Plumper Islands, there were large gatherings of seabirds and herring balls and soon the humpback whale could be seen lunge feeding through the middle of one. It was exciting viewing! Moving off, we soon caught sight of another humpback and before we knew it by the time we had reached Blackney Passage while travelling en route through Blackfish Sound, we had seen a total of eight humpback whales! It was amazing to see the birds gathering and suddenly a humpback whale could be seen feeding! There were numerous other humpback whales further out in Blackfish Sound! The A30's had meanwhile left the rubbing beaches and were slowly moving back towards the west and we encountered them west of Izumi Rock which was exciting for all of us onboard. A38 was foraging mid Strait while the rest were spread out, some travelling close along the Vancouver Island shoreline, the rest a distance out from the shoreline. It was a beautiful and quiet evening on the water! Nearing the Alder Bay Resort on our way home we had a fabulous viewing of a minke whale foraging through the centre of a huge herring ball, that made for some exciting viewing! On our way back to Alert Bay, a second minke whale was sighted! Also seen today: harbour seals, pacific white-sided dolphins on both tours with some bow riding briefly, dall's porpoises, rhinoceros auklets, common murres++, fork-tailed storm petrels, red-necked phalaropes, great blue herons, belted kingfishers, bald eagles and gull species.
Todays penned comments: "We had a fantastic time! The scenery, the whales - orcas and humpback whales and being together as a family to celebrate my mothers 75th birthday. Thank you to Mike and Maureen, our very generous hosts. Loved hearing all the information about the whales too. Thank you". ~ Dixie, Victoria, BC
" We had a wonderful time with all of the unique scenery and wildlife. Very knowledgeable guide and useful information. Great scones and tea. Thanks! " Virgil & Pam ~ Iowa, USA
"David and Maureen, thank you for a lovely stay at 'your island'. We love the orcas and your stories and knowledge about them. We've been here for the 3rd time and still cannot get enough of it. See you next time? Greetings." ~ Leo & Nel ~ Netherlands
Please note: We are having problems loading our photo's and will try again this afternoon. Internet has been down.