Wind, Waves and Whales ~ Orcas and Humpback Whales!

Today's Sightings: Northern Resident Orcas, Humpback Whales, Dall's Porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Steller Sea Lions ++, Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros and Cassin's Auklets, Common Murres, Red-Necked Phalaropes, Common Murres, Bald Eagles, Belted Kingfishers and Gull species.

It was an amazing day for experiencing wind, waves and whales! On our morning tour the rain subsided and we enjoyed viewing numerous Bald Eagles who were fishing intensely over a bait ball and we then encountered the I15s (and possibly others) who were travelling east from Lizard Point to Donegal Head on Malcolm Island. Humpback Whales were also seen on our tour this morning, they were feeding in wide circles in the area.

On our afternoon tour we observed Bald Eagles fishing once more over a bait ball, a good sign of an increase of food flowing into the area. It was a treat to have for a short time, Dall's Porpoises bow-riding alongside our boat, they move so quickly and everyone enjoyed seeing them at such close range, especially the children on board! We encountered Orcas, both the I15's and the A30s who had travelled west in Johnstone Strait to meet up with the incoming orcas, all of them turned back to the east. With heavy wind and waves upon the water we left the orcas in search of some Humpback Whales. It was a great viewing of Nic and Stripe, we enjoyed seeing them travelling together companionably! Steller Sea Lions and Harbour Seals never disappoint, they are always of interest and are always very photogenic!

Photo Credits: Muriel Halle ~ photos have been taken by a telephoto lens and have been cropped.