Exceptional viewing of Orcas ~ the A30s and A42s!

Today's Sightings: Northern Resident Orcas, Humpback Whales, Dall's Porpoises, Steller Sea Lions hauled out and swimming! Rhinoceros and Cassin's Auklets, Bald Eagles, Belted Kingfishers, Common Murres and Gull species.

The beautiful weather continues and with it, sightings of Orcas! On the morning tour we enjoyed viewing the A42s as they slowly made their way east from Izumi Rock and watched while they entered into the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve. They were very social and there was a lot of interaction between the two Matriline groups, they were also extremely vocal and we all enjoyed listening to their A-Clan calls. Afterwards, four Humpback Whales including Freckles and Guardian were also observed.

Our afternoon tour was very exciting, the current was flooding and the orcas were foraging intensely in the tide-rip in Blackney Passage. The A30s and the A42s were feeding together and several breaches, tail and pectoral fin slapping was observed. It was exhilarating to watch all of their energetic activity and listening to their A-Clan vocalizations while they foraged was fantastic! Seven Humpback Whales were also observed on this tour with several of them fluking. It is always a beautiful sight to see as well as bait balls with gulls feeding++, another great sign to see in our waters!

Photo Credits: Muriel Halle and Seasmoke Whale Watching. All photos are taken with a telephoto lens and have been cropped.