Northern Resident Orca, Transient Orca, Humpback Whales, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, Dall's Porpoise and a Hybrid Dall's/Harbour Porpoise sightings. Plus a catch up report from the bottom of Georgia Strait and south.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Northern Resident Orca
August 27:
8 am Looking across to the Vancouver Island side of Johnstone Strait from the Broken Islands, I spotted a couple of blows and a large, broad looking dorsal. First thoughts were Transients, but later turned out to be one of the A34's or A36 brothers with A12. It's possible two of them surfaced together giving the appearance of one broader dorsal from the distance. They were picked up by George, running a Sailcone tour boat by Forward Bay at 9:30 am heading West. By 12 pm they were all spread out across Johnstone Strait up by the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve still heading West.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
August 26:
8 am A12/36's and A34's came in from Queen Charlotte Strait overnight and were spread out between Blinkhorn light and the Bight. They meandered about all day, and then headed East down Johnstone Strait at night. These whales have certainly been covering a lot of territory!
Various radio transmissions
Transient Orca
August 26:
8:45 am 6 Transients in the T100's group passed Campbell River and were left by the red can buoy at the bottom of Quadra Island heading South.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Around 10 am I left the T100's at Mitlenatch Island after a kill and multiple breaches. Found the T101's and T102 at Breton Islands at 10:30 am hunting seals. They went up Hoskyns Channel then came back out later and currently, 2:50 pm, headed for Whale Passage and Calm Channel.
Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures
3:45 pm Transients in and out of Evans Bay, Read Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
7:15 pm Had T101'2 and T102 again at Hill Island Southbound.
Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
August 26:
9 am till 12:30 pm a total of 6 Humpback Whales were seen in the Bold Head, Blackfish Sound area. They included 'Moonstar', 'Ripple' and her calf, 'Freckles' and another, who's name I didn't catch. I missed the afternoon tours count.-SM
Various radio transmissions
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
August 27:
11 am Some Dolphins were reported by Eagle's Cove just above Campbell River.
Radio transmission from a workboat
11:30 am Around 100 Pacific White Sided Dolphins were spread out, leaping and being very active in Nodales Channel. No direction.
One of the tour boats passing the information on to another but didn't catch who – SM
Dall's Porpoise and Hybrid Dall's / Harbour Porpoise
August 27:
8:30 am 2 Dall's Porpoise heading into Havannah Channel by the Broken Islands.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
August 26:
8:45 am 1 Hybrid Dall's / Harbour Porpoise was foraging by Dot Islet, Knight Inlet.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
10:30 am 6 Dall's Porpoise foraging in the tide line by Village Island, Knight Inlet.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
The following reports submitted by Susan Berta and Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island, WA
Southern Residents
August 25
After two whole days without orcas around (but with Humpbacks and Minkes!) our residents returned to the sound in full force. There were lots of animals around on the way up to see the whales: harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and even a bald eagle! As for the whales, there were groups representing all 3 pods up in the area between Stuart and Pender Islands. When we came on scene the whales we were with appeared to be resting. After about 20 minutes they suddenly turned around and sped up. There were whales everywhere. We were surrounded! (see rest of report under Humpback Whales - SM)
Laura and Kristen, Naturalists, San Juan Safaris
August 25
1130am - J and K pod just passed Lime Kiln with a Humpback whale bringing up the rear.
Melisa Pinnow
August 24
J+K+L pods were seen off the west side of San Juan Island this evening :)
Brittany Bowles
August 24
J,K,L offshore from Victoria this afternoon!
Ric Merry
August 24
First, no report of whales. Then a report of humpbacks a long way away. Then J Pod. Then Js & Ks. Then Js, Ks and Ls! Yay!
John Boyd
August 24
Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca - 1600, K's and L's.
Scott Veirs
August 21
BEAUTIFUL afternoon with J's and K's on the west side, around Race Rocks so of course lots of lovely sealions too!! For sure i.d'd j2, j8, the j16's, l87, j27, j28, j32, k21.
Mercedes Powell
BEAUTIFUL afternoon with J's and K's on the west side, around Race Rocks so of course lots of lovely sealions too!! For sure i.d'd j2, j8, the j16's, l87, j27, j28, j32, k21.
Mercedes Powell
Humpback Whales - Puget Sound
August 25
Humpback in Central Puget Sound. 8/25/11; 6:00 AM. Approximately 250 yards east of Fay Bainbridge State Park, traveling North then Northwest towards Suquamish
Jeff Engebretson
Humpback in Central Puget Sound. 8/25/11; 6:00 AM. Approximately 250 yards east of Fay Bainbridge State Park, traveling North then Northwest towards Suquamish
Jeff Engebretson
August 25 (Continued from Southern Residents report above - SM)
As we prepared to leave the area a Humpback appeared, heading north. We had heard about the animal earlier in the day. We kept our distance and didn't stop to watch the single whale, as it was entangled in fishing gear and there were boats around with the hopes of untangling it from the line.
Laura and Kristen, Naturalists, San Juan Safaris