Superstars ~ Orcas and Humpback Whales and other stars as well!

Today's Sightings: Northern Resident Orcas, Humpback Whales, Dall's Porpoises, a Harbour Porpoise, Steller Sea lions, Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles, Belted Kingfishers, Rhinoceros and Cassin's Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots and a Great Blue Heron.

How lucky are we to live where we do in a place where an abundance of marine mammals and seabirds can be viewed so close to home. We are so inspired by our guests who travel great distances to see our Superstars, the Orcas and Humpback Whales and yet, they are also just as thrilled in seeing the Red-Necked Phalaropes flying low over the water in small cloud-like flocks (a rare sighting in Europe we have been told), the hauled out Harbour Seals, Steller Sea lions and Bald Eagles perched high in trees. All of them are common sightings for most locals but wonderful sights for our guests to gaze upon in awe and photograph.

It is very easy to take it all for granted but how can we? Daily we are reminded by our guests excited expressions for they tell a familiar story. How lucky we are to see so much beauty in our surroundings!

Our tour today was beautiful. There were three Matriline groups travelling together, the A42s, A24s and C10s and we first encountered them resting in Blackfish Sound. When they woke up they began interacting and socializing with each other, the A24s keeping a little distance ahead of the mix of A42s and C10s and we observed some tail slaps and spy-hopping behaviour in the mix of orcas!

Four Humpback Whales were sighted during the tour and Argonaut was one that we identified in Weynton Passage. Our passengers were thrilled to see in one scenic shot, Stellar Sea lions, Dall's Porpoises and Bald Eagles. Having seen the Superstars earlier on in the tour, everyone was more than content to see the other stars!

It is a wonderful and precious world that we live in, here on the North Island!

Photo credits: Muriel Halle & of Dava ~ Andrew Jennings: cropped photos taken with telephoto lens.