Transient Orca, Dolphins and Porpoise Sightings

After a few days without Orca, the Transients reappeared. Pacific White Sided Dolphins seem to be pretty spread out now, some Dall's Porpoise sightings and a few late sightings reports. 'KC' the Humpback has not been seen again the past few days, but keep your eyes open!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca – Killer Whales

Transient Orca

May 28, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 31:

7:30 am 6 to 7 Orca headed North through Seymour Narrows. Report repeated by someone on the radio and relayed at 9:30 am to Whales and Dolphins BC.

Scotty, Painters Lodge

May 31:

10 am Found at least 4 Orca by Chatham Point – 1 big male with a couple of notches. Slowly headed north then turned into Nodales Channel at 10:15 am

Scotty, Painters Lodge

May 31:

10:50 am The Orca were identified as T02C's and T10's by the DFO team passing by on the Roller Bay and Graeme Ellis – radio transmission relayed to Whales and Dolphins BC by

Nick Templeman, eagle Eye Adventures

May 31:

11:25 am Another group of Orca were reported by Phillips Arm. Another distant transmission.

Radio

Transient Orca – Killer Whales

May 31, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 31:

2:30 pm The two groups of Transient Orca joined up by Greene Point Rapids and slowly worked there way towards Loughborough Inlet, by Lyle Island at around 3:30 pm. Stayed with them till 4:10 pm all Westing.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 29:

10 am Previous day's Orca, T036's and T099's reportedly up by Hanson Island. (top end of Johnstone Strait)

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 24:

Afternoon; Group of around 9 Orca were spotted along the West Texada shoreline breaching, spy hopping and tail lobbing by some people visiting and new to the area. Nice welcome! We had wondered where they got to - SM

Tim (I apologize, I forgot your last name - SM)

May 23:

Evening – late run back over to Savary Island a pod of active Orca were between Lund and Mace Point, Savary Island. Jim & Shelley Morgan – relayed to Whales and Dolphins BC

Geri Batchelor, Savary Island

Transient Orca – Killer Whales

May 31, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 31:

10:31 am 3 – 4 PWS Dolphins were Southbound heading directly towards the Orca by Howe Island, Nodales Channel.

Scotty, Painters Lodge

May 31:

9:50 am around 20 Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging by Granite Point, Kanish Bay, just north of Campbell River.

Scotty, Painters Lodge

May 30:

8:20 am Small group of Dolphins right out by April Point.

8:30 am Large group of PWS Dolphins spread out by Bute Inlet.

10 am 30 to 40 Pacific White Sided Dolphins Southbound by Brown's Bay, close to Campbell River.

Scotty, Painters Lodge

May 29:

10:07 am About 100 PWS Dolphins at the mouth of Bute and spread out into Calm Channel. Doing lots of leaps! Stayed with them till around 11 am

Scotty, Painters Lodge

Dall's Porpoise

May 31:

12:30 pm Small pod of Dall's Porpoise by Penn Island.

Radio

May 31:

10 am While there were Orca heading into Nodales Channel, a few Dall's Porpoise were headed South on the opposite side of the Channel.

Scotty, Painters Lodge

May 29:

10 am Couple of Dall's Porpoise in rips by Hole in the Wall.

Radio

 

2012 Charter Cruises

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New Group of Transient Orca, KC the Humpback and More

'KC' the Humpback Whale (see photo), Pacific White Sided Dolphins, an unusually large, around here at least, group of Harbour Porpoises, and a new group of Transient Orca (see photos) make an appearance in our area.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale 'KC'

Out in front of Campbell River 12 noon

May 26, 2012
Jack Springer, Hurricane Jack

May 28:

What a day after a few dry days with few whales around. We left the harbour at 1305 and crossed to the Quadra Island side heading south and KAWOOF!! Full breach along the Quadra Island Shoreline! Next breath and we knew it was a Humpback Whale!! After the first tail fluke shot I figured it was KC (photo enclosed for confirmation) we followed mid passage for 20 min and left him at April Point approx 1335hrs. (Continued under Transient Orca) We picked up on the Humpback 'KC' again on our way home. He was 1/8 mile South of Kanish Bay @ approx 1620hrs. The Orca were 1.5-2 miles behind him at Separation Head also still Northbound @ 1630 hrs. Great day today aside from a little Westcoast Sunshine, Cheers!!

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 27:

1:46 pm Humpback off Cape Mudge heading Northwards.

Way West boat

May 26:

11:48 am Humpback off Cape Mudge – unsure of direction.

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 26:

5:15 pm Hi Susan just got a report of a Humpback whale southbound at Cape Mudge 515 pm. Cheers

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Orca

Transient Orca

May 28, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 28:

2:20 pm We started to head South again (see also Humpback Whale report) and after 5 minutes got a report on the radio of breaching Killer Whales at Big Rock in Willow Point! (Campbell River area) We were on scene in 2 min! Took a bit to get the proper ID's but have come up with the T036 Gang and T099 Gangs, 6 animals total! They were breaching, Taillobbing and spyhopping etc. Maybe had just finished off a kill but hard to say. Time on scene was approx 1345hrs. We left this Gang still Northbound in Discovery at approx 1430 hrs. (Continued in Harbour Porpoise reports) Repeat: We picked up on the Humpback 'KC' again on our way home. He was 1/8 mile South of Kanish Bay @ approx 1620hrs. The Orca were 1.5-2 miles behind him at Separation Head also still Northbound @ 1630 hrs. Great day today aside from a little Westcoast Sunshine, Cheers!!

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 26:

5:15 pm I can't tell for sure from this distance but I'm seeing some large splashes Northwest of Comox and heading slowly towards Campbell River. Either Orca or lots of Dolphins. The splashes seem way to large for Dolphins.....I assume Orca.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 26:

Around 4:30 pm 9 transients north bound Winchelsea islands. T-90's T-65 A's.

From Simon through Nick Templeman

May 19:

Late report originating from Dick Sumner came in that while the big sea lion kill and dolphin bashing was happening with the 15 Orca between Savary and Cortez Islands, there was another group of Transient Orca were spotted in Toba Inlet.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Transient Orca

May 28, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 28:

8:10 am 12 PWS Dolphins were headed Northwards in the Narrows by Brown's Bay.

10:56 am Another 10 PWS Dolphins were right by Sonora Resort.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 27:

2:35 pm Lots of PWS Dolphins spread out by Dent Rapids.

Radio

May 27:

3:12 pm 24+ PWS Dolphins in Bute Inlet by Fawn Bluffs foraging.

3:30 pm Another 24 or so Dolphins by Dent Rapids.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Harbour Porpoises

May 28:

We headed north to Seymour Narrows, found approx 12-15 Harbour Porpoise in Plumper Bay.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 27:

2:45 pm 12 to 15 Harbour Porpoises seemed to be grouped together by Steep Island, Discovery Passage and a few additional groups with 2 to 4 in each were in Nodales Channel from How Island to Sonora Point.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

 

2012 Charter Cruises

Enjoy a personalized week long Charter Cruise in the pristine wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest. Information can be found on the 2012 Charter Cruises pages of Whales and Dolphins BC.

Sightings Reports and More Orca Photos

Sightings and more photos of Transient (meat eating) Orca - Killer Whales, lots of Pacific White Sided Dolphins, a Humpback, some Dall's Porpoise as well as a few Harbour Porpoise from lower Johnstone Strait, up into Bute Inlet and a few other channels, by Savary Island and down to Myrtle Point, south of Powell River over the past couple of days. There's a fair bit of activity out there - just keep your eyes open, and don't forget to pass the information on so we can post it.

For anyone having problems signing up to receive these postings to your email inbox, please don't hesitate to email and I will be happy to help register you. Remember, you can unsubscribe and re-subscribe at any point. Your email address is kept confidential and is not used for anything other than receiving these updates. All efforts are being made to keep these reports up to date.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca – Killer Whales

Transient Orca Upside Down Tail Lob

Savary Island

May 25, 2012

Gordie Coles

May 24:

6:15 pm 6 to 7 Orca suddenly popped up on my way from Hernando Island to the Savary Island dock. They were all small fins, so no large male dorsals. They were splashing and some were a bit closer to Indian Point.

Eric Ferreira, Savary Island

May 24:

8:18 pm One large male dorsal off the Harwood shoal slowly heading towards Powell River. Neighbour Steve Grover thought he saw two blows a short while after, but neither of us saw those Orca again. A couple of minutes later received a call from Gordie Coles (see photos today and yesterday's posting) that he picked them up just off Doe Row, Savary Island and the 6 or so Orca were headed towards Mace Point. They were breaching, tail lobbing and generally having a good time. Two tug and tows were heading South around Mace Point and had a great show. At 8:46 pm I could see these whales breaching, splashing and even their blows just off Savary Island, all the way from Powell River. Just never saw if they turned back or continued Southwards.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca Splashes - Savary Island

May 25, 2012

Gordie Coles

May 21:

3-4 pm Around 6 Orca fought the waves and current headed Southwards by Myrtle Point. There was at least one large Male and one Calf. (Received report May 25^th - SM)

George Belyea, Marine Traders Store, Powell River

May 19:

Late report (received May 24) that right during approximately the same time that the Orca were on the Sea Lion kill (see Nick's photos) out in front of Cortez Bay, there were a number (in the teens) of Pacific White Sided Dolphins huddled under and around the Cortez Bay dock as well as another Dolphin being flung about by some other Orca, including at least one large Male.

Information was passed through Gordie Coles, Lund / Savary Island

Transient Orca on Sea Lion Kill

May 19, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Humpback Whale

May 25:

4:15 pm Humpback Whale off the Quadra Island village heading Southwards.

BC Ferry Captain

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 25:

Afternoon: Must have been at least 1,000 Pacific White Sided Dolphins really spread out all over Bute Inlet from Fawn Bluffs and up.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 25:

4:50 pm One lone PWS Dolphin just outside of Okisollo Channel.

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 25:

9 am Large group of Pacific WS Dolphins in Seymour Narrows headed North-West.

Scotty

May 24:

6:10 pm 1000+ Lags (Pacific White Sided Dolphins) @Fawn Bluff Bute Inlet. no direction....milling about and feeding. All grouped together though, really nice. 1645 Another small pod of 8 or so @ East End of Hole in the Wall. No direction.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 23:

10:05 am 2 Pacific White Sided Dolphins milling in the channel just off Quathiaski Cove. I saw them from the Quadra to Campbell River ferry.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 23:

Quiet day on the Cetacean front. Found all the Lags (PWS Dolphins – SM) (hard to count but a couple hundred anyway) spread out over a 4 mile triangle in lower Bute below Fawn Bluff. It was a good bear day. :-)

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 23:

2 white sided dolphins at hole in the wall at 2 pm.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 19: (Duplicated from Orca report)

Late report (received May 24) that right during approximately the same time that the Orca were on the Sea Lion kill (see Nick's photos) out in front of Cortez Bay, there were a number (in the teens) of Pacific White Sided Dolphins huddled under and around the Cortez Bay dock as well as another Dolphin being flung about by some other Orca, including at least one large Male.

Information was passed through Gordie Coles, Lund / Savary Island

Dall's Porpoise

May 25:

4 pm report. Maybe 30 dolphins feeding on herring Fawn bluff in Bute 6 Dalls entrance to Bute earlier

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 25:

Around 9 am 20 to 30 Dall's Porpoise in Nodales Channel by Thurston Bay Marine Park foraging.

Scotty

Harbour Porpoises

May 23:

A few harbour porpoises in calm channel at 3pm. 2 white sided dolphins at hole in the wall at 2 pm. That was about it for cetaceans today.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

 

2012 Charter Cruises

Enjoy a personalized week long Charter Cruise in the pristine wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest. Information can be found on the 2012 Charter Cruises pages of Whales and Dolphins BC.

Orca by Savary Photos

The report write-ups are delayed till tomorrow due to lack of time. but thought I would at least post three of the photos of this evening's Transient Orca - Killer Whales that popped up at 6:15 pm between Savary and Hernando Islands and worked their way to just around Mace Point, Savary Island. I could see them breaching and splashing by Savary all the way from Powell River at 8:15 pm!

Two tug boats had quite the show beside them. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if they have turned back or were just resting and continued drifting Southward with the tide.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca Mom and Calf by Savary Island

May 24, 2012

Gordie Coles

Transient Orca by Mace Point, Savary Island

May 24, 2012

Gordie Coles

Transient Orca Big Spy Hop by Savary Island

May 24, 2012

Gordie Coles

Transient and Other Cetacean Sightings

Transient (meat eating) Orca still in the area, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, one taken by Transients while others spread out, and a few Dall's Porpoise spotted. A couple of missed reports as well as a few that arrived late. Lots of activity around so keep your eyes on the water!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca – Killer Whales

Transient Orca

May 19, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 22:

6 am 3 Orca Northbound by Seymour Narrows.

Radio transmission – unknown source

May 22:

12 pm 3 Transients by Squirrel Cove, Cortez Island. No direction, milling around. Kurt & Scotty are with them...I'm the messenger.

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 22:

12:24 pm The 3 Orca just became 7 about half way between Squirrel Cove and Mary Point angling towards Cortez Bay. There's at least one calf – this year's. Am leaving the area.

A couple of minutes later: Another 6 to 8 Transient Orca just popped up at the South end of Twin Islands heading towards the other two groups and Cortez Bay area. This is where they were the other day when they took a sea lion.

Kurt, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 22:

3:20 pm Orca still between Twin Islands and Cortez Bay.

Radio

Transient Orca

May 19, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 21:

11:40 am 4 to 6 Transients heading Southwards towards Powell River. They were about center strait and between Harwood and the Powell River mill, they stopped to take a sea lion. I lost track of them around 1:20 pm.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 21:

Around 12 pm 8 Orca including two calves, one still with orange tinge close off Westview ferry terminal in Powell River. There were some really nice spy hops as the Comox ferry pulled out and the Texada ferry came in. (they were behind a tree for me during this time – SM)

Steve Grover, Powell River

May 20:

4 pm Some Orca were Southbound travelling quickly in Discovery Passage by April Point.

Scotty

May 20:

6 pm 1 Pacific White Sided Dolphin killed by about 5 or 6 female Orca in Bute Inlet across from Bear Bay. There were more Transients in the area including a large male, but it was only the females on the hunt. (partial repeat from Dolphin Report)

Brian Gage, Bute Inlet Lodge

Humpback Whale

May 22:

8 am Humpback Whale just below Seymour Narrows. Unknown on Radio – later, no tours found the whale.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 22:

8 am Pacific White Sided Dolphins just by the red can buoy close to Campbell River. No numbers or direction.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 22:

12 pm Around 20 or so Pacific White Sided Dolphins are moving really quickly Southwards past Grief Point, Powell River.

John Treen, Powell River

May 22:

12:24 pm Dolphins headed South by April Point, Campbell River. No numbers or direction.

Scotty

May 22:

2:30 pm 12 PWS Dolphins Eastbound in Okisollo Channel.

Eagle Master

May 22:

3:20 pm A number of PWS Dolphins moving fast Southwards at Race Point, Campbell River Area.

Radio

May 20:

6 pm 500+ Dolphins in Bute Inlet. 1 Pacific White Sided Dolphin killed by about 5 or 6 female Orca in Bute Inlet across from Bear Bay (partial repeat from Orca Report)

Brian Gage, Bute Inlet Lodge

May 18:

9:35 am 6 to 8 Pacific White Sided Dolphins moving quickly Northwards past the Powell River viewpoint.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 18:

1:20 pm Large number – in the hundreds – of PWS Dolphins heading into Bute Inlet.

Radio

Dall's Porpoise

May 21:

12 pm A couple of Dall's Porpoise foraging by Elk Bay.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Orca Reports submitted by our friends at Orca Network, Whidbey Island, Wa

May 21

Myself and Ron King picked up 6 or 7 transient killer whales a mile and a half off race rocks light house. They were breaching and lots of spyhops as well as high speed porpoising. We found them making a kill on a group of harbor porpoise. Pretty sure the identification was the T100s and a brand new calf still bright yellow. Photographs on transient killer whale research blog and orca network. Josh McInnes

May 19

Transient orcas located today in the more northerly portions of Georgia Strait. We found T10 with her sons T10B and T10C, plus T26 with her daughter T26A northwest of Winchelsea Island, heading west. They continued in this direction until we left them at approximately 2 PM northwest of the Ballenas Islands. For those unfamiliar with this part of Georgia Strait, we were northwest of Nanaimo. Nice to have some orcas around again. Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch

May 19

Located 4 transients off Mistaken Island, near Parksville, about 20 miles northwest of Nanaimo. They were traveling north, and included in the group was T26 and T26A. They were with the T10s, T10B and T10C. Shortly after we left the scene, the four were joined by at least 9 other transients. Wow, what are they up to?? They were taking 2 minute dives, and swimming just under the surface, as we could see the their white eye patches and flank patches flashing just under the waves. They were making a slow and steady pace north, and were not exhibiting the "super stealth" mode of hunting transients. Tasli Shaw

May 18

7:00 pm. Four Orcas were swimming east through Active Pass. Got a great look at them. Beth Triggs

May 18

WOW... We had an epic day on the water yesterday! We traveled over 110 nautical miles or 200 km to see a group of transients. When we first arrived with the transient orcas off Parksville, we sighted 5 transients the T10's and the T26's. After spending time with them we saw more transient orcas appear in the distance. Then more and more appeared from almost every direction. We ended up with at least 17 transients socializing and having a big party. It was a truly amazing day!!! Here are the transients I managed to i.d.- T10's, T87, T26's, T90's, T86A's, T100's. Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching - Cowichan Bay

May 12

The transient orcas in Georgia Strait on this date were T87 and the T90's near Valdez Island and the T100's with T102 in the mid-strait, west of Vancouver Airport. Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch

May 10

Pod heading north....seem to be feeding on seals to the north of mistaken island at the entrance to "northwest bay, in Georgia Straits, Canada, near Parksville, about 20 miles NW of Nanaimo. About 6 in the pod. Reg Hawkes 

 

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Many Transient Orca

Huge numbers of Transient Orca in the upper Georgia Strait from the Nanaimo / Sechelt line to the start of Johnstone Strait. Separate groups including T02's, T101's, T10's and T124's appear to be meeting up to hunt and socialize. Great Photo Contributions Below. They have been spending hours staying in relatively small areas at a time rather than moving larger distances. Pacific White Sided Dolphins are also around in the hundreds with some appearing to flee areas where the Orca might be. With all this Orca activity, only one Humpback Whale was spotted.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins

Transient Orca – Killer Whales

Transient Orca

May 19, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 20:

11:25 am Orca reported in Discovery Passage south of the pier at Campbell River heading North.

Radio

May 20:

Sounds like some Orca going past Campbell River now.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 20:

12 pm 5 + Transients including T10 and T10B still Northbound heading towards Steep Island in the Narrows.

Aaron, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 20:

12:30 pm Group of Transient Orca heading up into Bute Inlet, by Fawn Bluff.

Fisherman over radio

Were not found by any of the tours after this report.

May 20:

2:56 pm T10 / 10B / 10C / 26 / 26A turned and are now Southbound in front of Walcan (Discovery Passage – Campbell River) We are leaving the scene.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 19:

9 am Call from Ross Campbell "Columbia III" 8 Transients @ Sarah Point. Coming from the East and Headed West/North. He is leaving as they are milling about right at Sarah Point so not sure if they will head West for Lewis Channel later or not! Great sighting!!

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 19:

10:40 am Orca between Copeland Islands and Hernando Island angling towards Savary Island.

Sharkey

May 19:

1:45 pm 2 groups of 6-8 Transient Orca in each between Major Rock off Lund and Keefer Rock off Hernando Island. Stayed with them till 4:15 pm still between Twin Islands and Savary Island.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Orca

May 19, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 19:

From about 2:30 pm till around 5 pm: Yeah I had 4 females and a juvenile first that I photographed. Then moved back for the Sealion killers and that was the T101/102 gang with big T102 and the T002C's....cool to see the new calf from last year involved in the kill....and T002C2 my fav scoliosis girl in there tail slapping and right on the Sealion. ****First 5 in our encounter were the T124A gang. They were all part of the sea lion kill with T02C's and T101/102 gang

It was a tad crazy....big T102 tail lobbing the Sealion....all sorts of breaches and action....circling the prey....it was intense.

This summary came in by email with Nick's photo contributions:

Hi Susan, Here are 3 pics from our amazing sealion attack yesterday (19th). From what I can see it was the T-124 Gang, T-101/102 Gang and the T-002C gang with last years new calf. Plus others maybe. The attack started at approx 1500hrs and continued for over 2 hrs. It was amazing to see the teamwork that was put in by the Orcas. They would circle around the lion each taking turns either breaching on top of it, taillobbing it, hitting it with their noses, or tail slapping it. Some would go alone and some would go together with even the young T-002C3 calf getting inot it as well. An interesting thing i saw was that about 5 minutes in a juvenile male breached and as he did we could see he was shall we say "excited"~ Soon after he was not part of the hunt anymore and seemed to stand sentry or was banished from the hunt for his excitement. He stayed approx 1/4 mile away during the whole hunt and only came back to the gang after the official kill. It was really interesting to see this behaviour. T-002C2 with the scoliosis was involved in the hunt as well. It seemed to be a training exercise for these young ones as well as they would go in with adults each time.

In the end they finally took the Sealion down and started moving it about the gang underwater. I believe after we left my partner Jos even got pictures of a Bald Eagle picking up pieces! I have been waiting 14 years of my career to witness a sealion kill and it was well worth the wait! I have witnessed Dalls Porpoise, Harbour Porpoise kills, and numerous Harbour Seal kills(Even had a Seal climb on the pod of my Zodiac once years ago after being tossed around by T's for 10 minutes!!) This kill though was so amazing to be a witness to. Thanks Susan take care!

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 19:

4 pm Around 20 Transient Orca including T10's were at the bottom of Lesquetti Island. Got information from Simon in Cowichan Bay.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 19:

5:30 pm At least 14+ Orca that have been just off Cortez Bay for about an hour. There were a couple of kills.

Kurt

May 18:

Susan, I saw a pod of about six orcas going NW along the Iron mine (Lund) at 5:20 pm today. One jumped clear of the water 3 times.

Ron Johnston

Transient Orca

May 19, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 20:

Morning: Quite a few Pacific White Sided Dolphins by Chatham Point and off Okisollo Channel.

Radio Transmission

May 20:

3:20 pm 40+ Pacific White Sided Dolphins were at Kanish Bay, and another 15 – 20 at the mouth of Okisollo Channel at 5:40 pm (all Discovery Passage just above Campbell River). No direction, just foraging.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 19:

10 am About 70 Dolphins Deepwater bay feeding. Lots of life today :)

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 19:

3:30 pm 30+ Pacific White Sided Dolphins moving quickly down Malaspina Strait and along South-East side of Harwood Island, Powell River.

Steve Grover, Powell River

These Dolphins came rushing into the area then suddenly stopped, almost as if to catch their breath, then carried on. This was right during the time the Orca were on the big sea lion kill, which usually means the Orca get loud and the sound would carry for miles underwater. This possibly caused their flight down the strait.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Humpback Whale

May 19:

9:30 am Humpback Whale in Seymour Narrows.

Ed, Oak Bay Hurricane

May 19:

10 am One lone Humpback Whale in Seymour Narrows milling. Dolphins Deepwater bay feeding. Lots of life today :) 10:40 am Humpback is Southbound at Race Point now.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Harbour Porpoise

May 19:

2 pm A couple of Harbour Porpoise by Copper Bluffs (Campbell River)

Jen & Aaron, Campbell River Whale Watching

 

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Enjoy a personalized week long Charter Cruise in the pristine wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest. Information can be found on the 2012 Charter Cruises pages of Whales and Dolphins BC.

Harbour Porpoise couple of Harbour Porpoise by Copper Bluffs (Campbell River)

Jen & Aaron, Campbell River Whale Watching

Transient Orca Powell River plus Other Sightings

Transient Orca, Humpback Whales and more Transients with a few Dall's Porpoise and Dolphin sightings.

Transient Orca – Killer Whales

Breaching Transient Orca, Powell River

May 16, 2012

Steve Grover, Powell River

May 16:

6 pm 2 Orca Northbound from between Black Point and Myrtle Point just south of Powell River. There was 1 large male with a female, but there could have been more whales, just didn't see them.

Bill Taylor, Powell River

May 16:

6 pm While talking to a friend who lives down by Black Point, they spotted one Orca headed North towards Powell River.

Steve Grove, Powell River

May 16:

7:30 pm Call came in from Steve Grover that at least 4 Orca were out tight in to shore in front of Westview, Powell River. Once they cleared a tree in my line of sight, I watched them realizing that there were at least 6 and possibly 8 Transients including T02C and possibly T20 in the group. They must have taken a sea lion as a slick was quite visible and they worked the area back and forth, breaching, tail slapping and spy hopping. They rested for short periods, then a calf would start playing. It was quite the show. I did not expect them to stay in the same area, off the Powell River viewpoint, for so long. It was too dark to see their blows, around 9:45 pm, when I finally put the binoculars down.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca, Powell River

May 16, 2012

Steve Grover, Powell River

May 16:

I eventually did walk down to the beach and take some shots from the side of the road. I got a few half hearted breaches and one of them is the calf I think. I'm pretty sure that there were 3 cows, one bull and a calf. They were still visible at 9:00 pm when I walked home.

Steve Grover, Powell River

May 15:

Afternoon, a second hand report from Rupert Gale of some Orca, unknown numbers or direction between Price Island and Toba Inlet.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 14:

7:30 pm 4+ Orca including one very large dorsal fin spread out Northbound between Black Point and Myrtle Rocks.

Bill Taylor, Powell River

Transient Orca, Powell River

May 16, 2012

Steve Grover, Powell River

Humpback Whales

May 15:

Around 2pm a second hand report of two Humpbacks, assumed to be 'KC' and 'Arial' by Howe Island, Sonora Island and possibly up Nodales Channel.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 14:

Morning, There were a small number of dolphins swimming very close to shore eastward right in Lang Bay. (South of Powell River) They followed the shore line and have just gone around the point towards Palm Beach. I think PWS but I was so excited I forgot to look for details. There were only minimum of 3, max 5

Michael Stewart, Powell River

Dall's and Harbour Porpoise

May 17:

Around 2:30 pm 4 Dall's Porpoise foraging by Copper Bluffs, Campbell River area.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 16:

Afternoon, 2 Dall's Porpoise in Calm Channel by Rendezvous Islands.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 14:

3 pm 2 Harbour Porpoises were feeding on either herring or salmon smolts off Major Rock outside of Lund. It was flat calm and sunny. There were only a couple seals and sea lions otherwise.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Cetaceans ?

May 15:

Hi Susan, I saw some splashes about (I’m guessing) 7 miles out between Stradiotti (sp) Reef and Comox yesterday afternoon around 4 p.m. I don’t think they were Orcas as I never saw a dorsal fin, but who knows. Even with the telescope, I couldn’t see well....lots of moisture in atmosphere. I saw 2 splashes quite a ways apart at the same time. I did see what looked like a flipper twice. Looks like they were heading towards Comox. Would have liked to have seen what they were a little earlier when they were possible closer.

Dee Ingraham, Savary Island

 

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Transients, Humpbacks and lots of Dolphins

Transients, Humpbacks and lots of Pacific White Sided Dolphins. Humpback and T20 photos.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca

May 13:

Transient Orca T-20 for the blog tonight If I make it! We had this guy by himself at apporox 1810 hrs in Sutil Channel (between Marina Island and Francisco Point, Quadra Island) headed south at 6 knots! Couldn't find his Gang anywhere around him.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Transient Orca T020, Sutil Channel

May 13, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 13:

11:14 am Orca in Lewis Channel Northbound apparently...don't know who's with them. From tugboater.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 13:

11:55 am Sounds like 6 Orca 1 big fin just entering Deer Passage Northbound. (just above Desolation Sound – SM)

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 12:

12-14 Transient Orca northbound off Nanaimo last night (May 12). Left them about 4pm just south of Nanaimo. This is from my buddy Simon from Ocean Eco Adventures in Cowichan Bay. Have to watch around this aft

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 11:

Around 9:30 pm as the sun set, Orca Northbound by Campbell River. Got report on 12th.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 9:

About 6 pm 5 or 6 Transient Orca including 1 sprouter (juvenile male) and at least 1 calf with an orange tinge on the white eye patch were tight close to the Discovery Pier by Campbell River. One female went right inside the pier into about 10 to 15 feet of water. I watched from shore and followed them to Tyee Spit and watched their blows to another bay across the channel across from April Point lodge. They were incredibly active doing spy hops, tail lobs and head stands waving their tail flukes in the air. All the seals disappeared up the river into very shallow water.

Clyde Burton, Powell River / Campbell River

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale 'KC' Breaching !

May 12, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 13:
We also (see Orca and Dolphin reports) had the Humpbacks known as KC & Ariel at approx 1430 hrs slowly foraging North in Discovery Passage 1/4 mile North of Browns Bay. Just lazy fluking today. (first reported in the morning – SM)

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 12:

9:57 am 2 Humpback Whales in Seymour Narrows.

Aaron, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 12:

We received a report from Garry of Aboriginal Journeys @ approx 1330hrs of one, possibly two Humpback Whales Northbound in Discovery Passage on the Vancouver Island shoreline at a spot we call No Name Creek (Approx 3/4 mile North of Browns Bay) Garry stayed with the animals for us and we arrived on scene at 1425 hrs. By this time they had moved across Discovery Passage and were travelling slowly very tight to the Quadra Island shoreline. They were approx 3/4 mile South of Kanish Bay at this point. After a look at the two and a couple of tail shots my first instinct was to say KC and a friend (comparing to a couple of days ago I see that I am right on KC just don't know the other well enough) After 15 minutes of viewing they moved into deeper water then KAWOOF! Full breach I believe from KC then another! Then some tail lobs which may have come from the other animal or both I'm not fully sure. We left them headed into Kanish Bay at approx 1540 hrs......what a fantastic viewing! I've enclosed the ID shots and a couple others for a treat, enjoy!

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

From Jackie Hildering:
Humpback tail flukes is BCY0767 aka "Arial".
It is of great interest to know they were together. Thank you so much for the sighting Nick. I share with you that KC is very acrobatic. He is the whale that even ended up on the front page of the Campbell River Courier in full breach.
See blog item about that sighting here. http://themarinedetective.com/2011/07/13/identifying-jumping-giants/Interestingly, on that sighting too, KC and Arial were together.
I know that this is not applicable to you as you are always outside 100m when in the presence of whales, but I have had some hairy moments when working around KC. Thought it might be worthwhile to let you know this.

Humpback 'Arial' Tail Flukes

May 13, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 13:

We also (see Orca and Humpback reports) spotted what could very well have been upwards of 600+ Pacific Whitesided Dolphins in a 5 mile stretch of Bute Inlet. Amazing day!
Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

From Orca Network, Whidbey Island, WA

May 12
At least two groups of transients were sighted moving north, northwest through Porlier Pass (north end of Galiano Island) about 2:30 pm. We caught up with T87, possibly T90, and one other female with a calf (appeared to be at least 2 years old). Further off the Valdez Island shoreline was T102 with at least 5 others, including two younger juveniles. It was frustrating to not be able to ID the younger animals and females! They continued to make their way north up the Strait of Georgia, taking steady long dives and surfacing in a scattered formation. There was some predation going on, because when we arrived on scene the gulls were hovering around and picking yummy bits of flesh off the surface. Two roaming gangs of transients out and about today, each at the polar opposite ends of the islands! They were covering all their bases it seems!

Tasli Shaw, Steveston Seabreeze Adventures
May 10

Watched 3 orcas heading north along the west shorelines of DeCourcy and Mudge Islands (about ten miles south of Nanaimo). Looked like 2 adults and a calf. Dorsal fins appeared small and curved. One adult had a gray saddle behind it's fin. They appeared to be feeding off Mudge Island, then started to head south, passing just to the east of Round Island.

Barb Wallace

May 10

1442 - Two orcas sighted northbound off Jack Pt (1 mile east of Nanaimo) and reported to whale hotline.

Capt. Fred Wicks, M.V.Quinsam

May 9

John Ford relayed a report of about 8 Bigg's killer whales near Nanaimo around 3 pm. Graeme Ellis got out to document them as they were feasting on something, but seas were too heavy to tell what it was.

May 11
We got really lucky just as we reached Turn Point, a humpback whale was spotted north of East Point! It was decision time; continue our course, or extend our trip and go for it. We decided to go for it and headed further north. And was it worth it! The humpback whale blew magnificently in the distance. We watched as it surfaced a few times before flashing its fluke in a fluke up dive.
Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris

May 10

2 Humpback Whales encountered a couple of miles south west of Race Rocks that were surfing in 3-4' waves south of Race Rocks! This was my first Humpback Whale encounter of the 2012 season:)
Andrew Lees. Marine Naturalist, Five Star Whale Watching 

 

2012 Charter Cruises

Enjoy a personalized week long Charter Cruise in the pristine wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest. Information can be found on the 2012 Charter Cruises pages of Whales and Dolphins BC.