Very busy day today. The most unique report was of Fin Whales, a rare sight in these lower inside waters. Pacific White Sided Dolphins seemed to be everywhere in large numbers. Transient Orca were reported but remained elusive. Resident Orca made it down to Camp Point. And Dall's Porpoise were also seen in smaller groups.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Northern Resident Orca
September 19:
11 am 12+ Resident Orca including the A23 Matriline consisting of 5 animals were slowly Westbound by Camp Point, Johnstone Strait. Tenacious 3 was with them.
Transient Orca
September 19:
7:30 am 4 Transient (not confirmed that they weren't Residents – SM) Orca were Southbound past Campbell River. No-one found them all day.
Vessel reported through Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fin Whales
September 19:
1:30 till 2:30 pm 2 (and possibly 3) Fin Whales including a calf were favouring the Mainland side of Johnstone Strait travelling at 3 to 4 knots from Kelsey Bay to Blinkensop Bay at the entrance to Sunderland Channel. We left them, noses pointed towards Sunderland.
Fin Whale Mom and Calf
September 19, 2011
Photo: Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fin Whale Calf
September 19, 2011
Photo: Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fin Whale Blow Hole
September 19, 2011
Photo: Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
September 19:
7 am Around 200 Pacific White Sided Dolphins were between Campbell River and Quathiaski Cove during a ferry crossing.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
9:30 – 10 am The majority of the Dolphins were on the Vancouver Island side of the channel by Kanish Bay, just above Campbell River.
Joel, Tenacious 3
10 am 'Some' Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Surge Narrows. No direction.
Fisherman report to Jack
11:20 am 200 or so Dolphins at Thurston Bay and continuing up Nodales Channel.
1:30 till 2:30 pm Another large group of Lags were by Kelsey Bay Westbound then at 2:30 pm the turned back East.
3:34 pm 75 to 100+ Dolphins were heading East then turned and headed West by Sonora Point, Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Another 'Crazy Leap'
September 16, 2011
4:15 pm 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins were Northbound at Race Point.
Joel, Tenacious 3
4:49 pm 50 to 80 Lags Northbound in Seymour Narrows. They were moving quickly with the tide – seem really motivated.
6:50 pm 300 to 400 Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Nodales Channel spread right across with MORE coming in from Turn Island (Johnstone Strait) direction! Looks like they're grouping up.
Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures
Dall's Porpoise
9 am en route up Bute Inlet and a bit after 3 pm on the way out from the Grizzly tour we had 5 to 6 groups of 4-6 Dall's Porpoise in each group, mostly foraging.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Humpback Whales
September 19:
Tally of Humpbacks in the upper Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound area today was 14 individual animals including 'Stripe' and 'Conger'.
September 18:
Tally of Humpbacks in the upper Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound area today was 8 individual animals including 'Freckles', 'Conger' and 'Domino'.
Wayne on Lukwa, Stubbs Island Whale Watching
My photo of Domino's tail flukes is used on the About Me link in this Blog.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC