Appearing Disappearing Transient Orca but Lots of Dolphins

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales seem to be back to vanishing one day then re-appearing the second day. They appeared in large, for Transient Orca, number yesterday, but could not be found the day before or today. With similar numbers being reported September 30^th in the US by our friends at Orca Network, it is possible they made a quick trip down Georgia Strait. Pacific White Sided Dolphins definitely ruled this sightings report with large numbers managing to stay clear of the Transients, as far as the reports went.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

Transient Orca

September 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 29:

8:30 am 20 or so Transient Orca with some heading South quickly by Brown's Bay.

9 am 12 – 15 Orca by Deepwater Bay heading towards Kanish Bay with at least two large males.

10:52 am 4 or 5 other Transient Orca spotted by Twin Islands angling towards Baker Pass.

11:30 am Orca off Stag Bay, Hernando Island hunting in Baker Pass.

September 29:

10 am 12 or so Transient Orca in a bit of a chop. Left them Northbound at Kanish Bay in the morning. On the way back from Bute Inlet;

5 pm found 10 to 12 Orca, again by Kanish Bay mid-channel, this time Southbound.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 29:

3:20 pm 4 Orca Northbound in Lewis Channel.

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

September 29:

3:52 pm 12 Transients at Greensea Bay and 4 more Transient Orca in Lewis Channel.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 29:

5:25 pm 12+ Orca left them Southbound at McMullen Point, Campbell River.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

September 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 30:

4:46 pm A bunch of PWS Dolphins milling about off the red can buoy by Cape Mudge.

September 30:

5:59 pm 350+ PWS Dolphins headed into Bute Inlet.

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

September 29:

10:55 am 40 + PWS Dolphins are by Howe Island, Okisollo Channel – relatively close to the the Transients.

September 29:

3:52 pm 200 PWS Dolphins in Hole in the Wall heading towards Okisollo Channel.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 29:

Day: 1000+ PWS Dolphins by Denham Bay, Dent Rapids area.

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

September 28:

8:50 am A Very Large Group of PWS Dolphins by Davis Point, Thurston Bay, spread out right across Nodales Channel.

11 am 150 PWS Dolphins stayed foraging by Davis Point.

3:40 pm 300 + PWS Dolphins made their way to Deepwater Bay heading South in Discovery Pass.

Acrobatic PWS Dolphin

September 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Leaping Dolphins and Transient Orca Here and Gone

Dolphins a leaping! Transient Orca appear and disappear in usual stealth fashion. Humpback Whales seem to mostly have gone up to the tope of Johnstone Strait where word is that the krill have finally showed up in numbers. No reports of Dall's or Harbour Porpoise! The mainland side of Georgia Strait from Jervis Inlet to the various rapids where the tides converge have been quiet, but there are finally some salmon leaping and rafts of sea lions moving in around Powell River, at least. Since all Cetaceans follow their food, we may start seeing more of them again soon. We can only keep watch!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

Transient Orca

September 25, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 26:

1:38 pm At least 10 Transient Orca including one extremely large male were heading South by the Comox / Little River ferry terminal light.

Elvis, on FishBoat

September 26:

I think they may have turned east. I did get out for an hour or so after you emailed, and I am about 75% sure I saw them through my binoculars waaaaay north of Denman, heading toward Powell River. (They never showed up on the East / mainland side of Georgia Strait - SM) So far away I can't even say for certain. They appeared to be black dots moving in an arc-like motion, rather than black dots bobbing up and down like a bird. Oh well. Maybe next time. Thanks so much for your message though.

Graham Blake, Denman Island

September 25:

1:40 pm Gang of 4 Transients in front of Sonora Resort involved in a kill.

3:55 pm PWS Dolphins were just above Dent Island and the Transients were just around Dent...close.

4:30 pm The Orca had turned South bucking the tide.

Nick Templeman

September 25:

2:30 pm 4 Transient Orca moved slowly from Jimmy Judd Island (Gillard Pass) to Denham Island (Dent Rapids) They were close to here the PWS Dolphins were.

The Orca were originally spotted by old Church House, Stuart Island around 1:30 pm. They took a seal by Sonora Restort and continued up – it's the T02C's (later photos submitted were clear that these were not the T02C's, but due to lower resolution, could not confirm who they were - SM)

Kurt, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 25:

4:30 pm 4 Orca bucking the tide in Dent Rapids. Southbound.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 24:

5:45 pm Left Orca at Whiskey Point Southbound.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Orca

September 25, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

September 27:

10:25 am Many smaller groups of PWS Dolphins were spread out from Deepwater Bay to Kanish Bay.

2:26 pm 60 – 70 PWS Dolphins fighting the current in Seymour Narrows and:

a very large group of PWS Dolphins were in Nodales Channel.

5:29 pm 3-400 PWS Dolphins were leaping high out of the water and spread out in Discovery Passage close to Okisollo Channel.

September 27:

10:31 am Lots, 300 or so PWS Dolphins by Deepwater Bay.

11:41 am More, 200 + at Davis Point by Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 27:

3:45 pm Last report for the year: (Jacquie is a summer resident at Brown's Bay and headed 'home' – thanks for the great reporting and look forward to getting more sightings reports from you next time you're by the ocean – SM) PWS Dolphins on the other side of the passage from the bay. About 35 running in a straight line..Very active as usual.

Jacquie Nevinger, Brown's Bay

September 27:

5:15 pm 200 PWS Dolphins Northbound at Elk Bay – was great!

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphin

September 23, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 26:

9:15 am 200 + PWS Dolphins angling towards Frederick Arm. By 12 pm these same Dolphins were at the head of Frederick Arm (above Nodales Channel).

10 am Small group of 10 PWS Dolphins were spotted by Wlakem Isalnds, Discovery Passage.

September 26:

4:30 pm 300 PWS Dolphins spread out by Cinque Islands, Discovery Pass.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 25:

11 am 30 PWS Dolphins by Kanish Bay – at the same time:

11 am 100+ PWS Dolphins were around Denham Bay, Dent Rapids

2:30 pm 200 + PWS Dolphins foraging back and forth from Dent Rapids to Denham Island.

5:40 pm Large group of PWS Dolphins by Deepwater Bay, just above Campbell River.

September 25:

4:30 pm 100 PWS Dolphins milling at Hall Point, Nodales Channel,

6 pm Another 100 PWS Dolphins Southbound at Deepwater Bay.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 24:

3:30 pm Left 300 PWS Dolphins at Arran Point area by Bute Inlet.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Wave After Wave of Dolphins then Came the Transients

Pacific White Sided Dolphins took the lead in Sightings....then the Transient (meat eating) Orca showed up and the large numbers of Dolphins seemed to vanish anywhere else. Northern Resident Orca were in the upper Johnstone Strait as were many Humpback Whales. Dall's and Harbour Porpoise round out the Sightings reports.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Pacific White Sided Dolphin

September 23, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

September 24:

2:30 p.m. Spotted 2 large Orca males and watched them for about 15 minutes off Scotch Fir (entrance to Jervis Inlet). Soon 4 females and 2 small ones appeared, then all began travelling quickly north towards Powell River. (These whales were not spotted again before dark, so – keep your eyes open! SM)

Laura Johnson

September 24:

1:54 pm T18's and T19's heading South in Seymour Narrows.

6:30 pm 4 Orca still Southbound at the Cape Mudge Lighthouse. T18/T19's I believe.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 24:

3:35 pm Transient Orca are doing a lot of speed swimming and breaches, tail lobs right now....looks like hunting.

Nick Templeman

September 24:

4:37 pm Transient Orca by Tyee Pool in front of Campbell River

5:25 pm Some Orca Southbound by Quathiaski Cove. Moving slowly now that they've had some dinner.

Northern Resident Orca

September 23:

1:30 – 2:30 pm We saw about 20 Orca – the I15's for sure and A30's – spread out in all directions heading West towards Telegraph Cove in Johnstone Strait.

Tara Bladon, Campbell River

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Pacific White Sided Dolphin

September 23, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 24:

1:54 pm 300 + PWS Dolphins at Dent Island.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 23:

9:30 am 200 + PWS Dolphins by Elk Bay / Cinque Islands

10:30 am 4 – 5 PWS Dolphins trying to make it through the rips in Seymour Narrows.

10:45 am 200 + PWS Dolphins in Kanish Bay with a few others up in Nodales Channel.

12 pm Around 80 PWS Dolphins by Chatham Point.

3 pm 75 PWS Dolphins by Denham Bay.

4 pm Hundreds of PWS Dolphins Northbound in Brown's Bay.

September 23:

From around 3 pm till 5:05 pm There was wave after wave of PWS Dolphins with a total of at least 500!

4:15 pm 100 PWS Dolphins by Denham Bay.

4:55 pm 150 PWS Dolphins by Harding Island (Nodales Channel)

5:05 pm 150 PWS Dolphins at the mouth of Okisollo Channel (Discovery Passage)

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 23:

Day: Lots of Dolphins today...about 200 PWS Dolphins at Denham Bay, another 200 or so in Nodales Channel at Harding Island and More in Discovery Passage spread out from Kanish Bay to Deepwater Bay – another few hundred likely!

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 23:

Day: 75 PWS Dolphins in Frederick Arm.

175 PWS Dolphins in Discovery Passage.

75 PS Dolphins by Copper Bluffs.

Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures

September 22:

8:30 am 6 PWS Dolphins by Quathiaski Cove.

8:50 am 12+ PWS Dolphins off Cape Mudge in the fog.

September 22:

12 pm 50+ PWS Dolphins off Steep Island, Discovery Passage.

Nick Templeman

September 22:

2 pm 150+ PWS Dolphins in front of Campbell River Marina

3:30 pm About 75 PWS Dolphins in Frederick Arm

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

September 22:

PWS Dolphins in Frederick Arm and Discovery Pass – very playful. No time, numbers or direction.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 22:

Day: 100 PWS Dolphins in Nodales Channel by Gomer Island....about 100 PWS Dolphins Northbound at Brown's Bay....not to forget the 100 or so Sea Lions at Jimmy Judd!

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 22:

4:22 pm 100 playful PWS Dolphins by Gomer Island – at the entrance to Frederick Arm.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphin

September 23, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Humpback Whales

September 23:

Day: After the Resident (fish eating) Orca: We proceeded to Blackfish Sound where there were 8 – 12 Humpback Whales!! Wow!!! A large herring ball attracted a few and we witnessed one lunge feed! That was a huge first for me. :)

Tara Bladon, Campbell River

September 23: (report from farther up the coast)

11:00 am - 2:00pm 2–3 Humpbacks in Seaforth Channel and Spiller Channel; I was out jigging (engine off) for a period of 2 hrs and could hear blowing whales and porpoises almost continuously; spotted a breaching Humpback at a distance but was alerted by what sounded like an explosion 1-2 km away in Spiller Channel. Later on, 2 or 3 were surfacing near another boat that had slowed down for a look and I watched them move westward in Seaforth Channel.

Vic Gladish, Bella Bella

Dall's and Harbour Porpoise

September 24:

9:09 am Harbour Porpoise off Lund. No direction or numbers.

Gordie Coles, Savary Island

September 23:

9:34 am 4 Dall's Porpoise – Finally saw some cruising past Telegraph Cove marina Westbound. Got to hear their breaths too!

4:45 pm We saw 5 or so Dall's Porpoise near Telegraph Cove bow and stern riding. What a treat; first time seeing those guys up close. :)

Tara Bladon, Campbell River

September 22:

4:22 pm 8 Dall's Porpoise in Bute Inlet.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Cetacean Sightings - Orca - Dolphins - Humpbacks

Transient Orca are grouping up then spreading out as are some larger numbers of Pacific White Sided Dolphins. A few Humpback Whales have been seen in a few unlikely spots. Most sightings are closer to the Vancouver Island side of Georgia Strait up into some of channels just below Johnstone Strait. All the Northern Resident Orca have headed to the top of Johnstone Strait and beyond. A reminder that all sightings reports are important. Better to have the same sighting reported by more than one or two people than not at all. Please don't assume that I know the whereabouts of all the Cetaceans out there.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Juvenile Transient Spy Hop by Harwood Island

September 17, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

September 21:

9:15 am Orca spotted by Menzies Bay – Maude Island – Northbound.

September 21:

9:33 am Report of Orcas Northbound by Maude Island this morning. No further update.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 20:

8 am 4 Transient Orca are following some PWS Dolphins Southbound by Brown's Bay

10 am 4 Transients at Steep Island hugging the Quadra Island shore. They're reportedly the T02C's.

12 pm & 1 pm Orca spotted Southbound by Quathiaski Cove

4:20 pm The count for the now grouped up Transient Orca was 20 and possibly more! They're Northbound and very active spread out from Campbell River to Race Point.

5:40 pm The 20 Orca split up with one group of 9 or 10 Orca continuing Northbound while the other group headed towards Cape Mudge.

6:16 pm Some of the Orca were hunting close to the Tyee pool in front of Campbell River.

September 20:

9:15 am The Transients T02C's Southbound in Seymour Narrows.

5:41 pm 10 Transient Orca Northbound by April Point.

PS. Sounded like the Orca turned shortly after I left them and headed South past Cape Mudge.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 20:

Day: My photos are so far away of the Transients, but it looks like the T101/102 gang and others. I followed from shore all day, but they never came very close to the Vancouver Island side.

Nick Templeman

Transient Orca Tail Slap by Harwood Island

September 17, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

September 21:

9 am 20 PWS Dolphins by Kanish Bay.

September 20:

8:20 am 150 PWS Dolphins spread out from Race Point to Maude Island Southbound. Other than the ones reported in the 8 am Transient report.

10 am PWS Dolphins in Menzies Bay.

11:27 am Very large group of PWS Dolphins in a hurry headed into Nodales Channel. They were spread most of the way across the channel speeding, probably away from the the Transients.

11:27 am Small group of PWS Dolphins right in Brown's Bay.

1:40 pm The large group of PWS Dolphins split up a bit with the majority headed into Frederick Arm.

September 20:

9:15 am 100 PWS Dolphins Southbound in Seymour Narrows.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 20:

9:20am About 50 PWS Dolphins came into the Bay (Brown's Bay) and fed for a short time and then proceeded back out to the passage, westing. It is not unusual to see gulls attending to the overflow.

9:45am Second group PWS Dolphins in Passage moving up island. Maybe 75 or so. Accompanied by gulls.

Jacquie Nevinger, Brown's Bay

September 19:

8:30 am Large group of at least 200 PWS Dolphins at Brown's Bay.

September 19:

4:45 pm 300 PWS Dolphins spread out from Race Point to Turn Island foraging.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 19:

5 pm PWS Dolphin mob was left at Turn Island.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

Humpback Whales

Every Humpback has a unique shape

to his/her dorsal as well as unique

markings and nicks in the tail flukes.

This one is known as “Claw”.

August 14, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

September 20:

11:50 am 2 Humpback Whales off Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island headed towards Viner Point, Read Island.

2:27 pm 2 Humpbacks (Mom and calf) now in Hoskyn Channel headed through Beazley Pass, Surge Narrows.

4:20 pm Mom and calf were right by the Octopus Islands slowly headed West. By 5:35 pm they headed into Okisollo Channel. This means they transited 3 sets of rapids having made it through Beazley against a 1 knot tide and passing Hole in the Wall into Upper and Lower Rapids by Owen Bay fighting a substantial current; it was 6.9 knots in Hole in the Wall at 5:30 pm.

September 19:

8 am Humpback Whale in front of Campbell River, Northbound.

8:30 am Humpback Whale (probably a different one) at the mouth of Okisollo Channel.

5:44 pm Humpback Whale at Greensea Bay / Cinque Islands.

September 19:

3 pm Humpback from this morning was left Westing at Bear Bight going against the flood.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

Transients and Dolphins Take Center Stage

Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Transient Orca take over the Georgia Strait and lower Johnstone Strait. Even a few that I don't know how I could have missed in the last report! There are a few Humpbacks in the area, but Orca are more visible. Resident Orca are all in the upper reaches of Johnstone Strait and even farther West while Transients are back to running closer to home, Powell River, Savary Island and Lund to Cortez and Quadra Islands. A few Dall's and Harbour Porpoise reports round out the Cetacean Sightings Reports.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca on Porpoise Kill

Sept 17, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

September 18:

10:49 am Orca tight to shore by the west side of Hill Island.

September 18:

11:15 am Found 5 Transient Orca, all small fins, travelling from Hill Island to Breton Islands and Open Bay (off Quadra) then lost them by 2 pm.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 18:

1pm 4 Orca all small fins by Breton Islands.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 17:

8:48 am Spotted at least 2 Orca off the NW tip of Texada (Coho Point) to Rebecca Rocks, Powell River. Quickly grabbing gear and a neighbour who had never been whale watching other than off her deck, we headed out. We came out between Texada and Rebecca Rocks and joined Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures who was the first to find the Orca between Vivian Island off Harwood. There were a total of 6 Transients who had just made a kill and were sharing their food. We stayed with them as they made their way up to Savary Island and left them with Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching as they headed towards Mitlenatch Island around 1:30 pm. We headed back with a stop at Vivian to look at the large number of Sea Lions and Harbour Seals when we heard of another group of Transients by the Copeland Islands and Lund headed South from Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching. Off we went.... Picked them up right outside Lund and with a quick pitstop in Lund, lost them for a short time till we again joined up with them off Dinner Rock, found by Geordie, DMS, and continued South with all 8 Transients leaving them close to the Harwood Island shore in front of the Powell River Mill around 5:40 pm. That made for a day with a total of 14 Transient Orca, flat calm waters and sunshine for the long day!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

September 17:

6:48 pm Geordie had that group of Orca you had off Grant's Reef Northbound.

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 17:

10:15 am 6 Transient Orca in Teakerne Arm.

Nick Templeman

September 16:

11:30 am 2 or 3 Orca (Transient Orca assumed) off Kelsey Bay towards Petersen Island.

Late in the day: heard rumour that there were some Transients above Lund, but not heard from any actual sightings report.

Sept 16 update to Simon's sightings of Sept 14;

Hi Susan, After going over the pictures we actually had 16 transients off Hornby Island T100b and T100C were also in the mix. We also had a large Humpback 2.5 miles west off Sentry shoals westing. Warmest Regards,

Simon Pidcock

Transient Orca Sharing Food

Sept 17, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

September 18:

8:30 am PWS Dolphins by Cinque Islands

September 18:

9:25 am 300+ PWS Dolphins in Discovery Pass.

Later and all day: A zillion PWS Dolphins at the Kanish Bay bait ball again.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 18:

7 pm At least 200 PWS Dolphins by Cinque Islands making their way North.

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 17:

8:15 am 50 PWS Dolphins by Brown's Bay

September 17:

8:52 am 60 PWS Dolphins by Separation Head foraging.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 17:

4:32 pm Zillion PWS Dolphins by Kanish Bay!

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 16:

8:15 am 75 – 100 PWS Dolphins by Race Point in Discovery Pass.

8:30 am Large Groups of PWS Dolphins spread out from Chatham Point to Kanish Bay.

11 am Somewhere between 500 to 1,000 PWS Dolphins and maybe even more of them Southbound and spread out from Kanish Bay to Chatham Point to Nodales Channel – They're right across the Strait and it's amazing!!

1:19 pm 200 PWS Dolphins around Kanish Bay

3:20 pm 300 or so PWS Dolphins by Kanish Bay.

September 15:

5:38 pm Hundreds of PWS Dolphins in Brown's Bay.

September 15:

See note below..I missed a show... (forwarded by) Jacquie Nevinger, Brown's Bay

Dolphins like a thousand putting on a show slaughtering herring in front of your motor home @ 5.25 to 6.25 and gulls down stream eating what is left.

Harry

Humpback Whales

September 16:

9:40 am Humpback Whale by fishing hump off Cape Mudge, soon after found close to Shelter Point Reef heading towards the lighthouse. Lots of krill in the water.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

Dall's and Harbour Porpoise

September 18:

Day: Lots of Dall's Porpoise in Bute Inlet foraging.

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 18:

5:15 – 7 pm Saw a few groups of Harbour Porpoises – 5 groups of 2 – 5 each on the ferry to Comox. (no they were not “on” the ferry). They were spread out over the course of the ferry ride.

Tara Bladon, Campbell River

September 17:

Day: Several small groups of Dall's Porpoise in Bute Inlet. 2 to 4 in each group.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 16:

9:15 am Some Dall's Porpoise by Dent Rapids.

Transients Move Back In - Dolphins in Numbers

Northern Resident Orca, the A36 brothers, have been staying around Nodales Channel until a large group of Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales got closer. Pacific White Sided Dolphins have been seen in greater numbers again, keeping to other channels than where the Transients are. Humpback sightings are fewer. Have they moved on towards they're winter grounds? Dall's Porpoise seemingly resident in Bute Inlet, and another possible Minke Whale Sighting.

A link to a successful return of a pod of Dolphins to the ocean from some quick thinking beachgoers in Brazil after the Pacific White Sided Dolphin Report.

And a Bald Eagle and Mink face off...

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Northern Resident Orca

September 15:

9 am The A36's were spotted first at Ripple Point and worked their way West towards Bear Bight. By 9:40 am they were at Vansitaart Point Westbound in a hurry.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 15:

9:37 am A36's are Westing up Johnstone Strait by Vansitaart Point.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 15:

2 pm The A36's slowed down but still headed West just above Kelsey Bay.

September 14:

8 am A36's spotted foraging in Nodales Channel.

September 14:

10 am A36's are Easting at Harding Island. They didn't go far, on our return from the Grizzly bear tour:

5 pm Left the A36's Westing by Howe Island, Nodales Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 15:

11:13 am 2 Transients just popped up Westbound by Loughborough Inlet.

1:33 pm Rumours of Transients by Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 15:

3:18 pm Transients in Hoskyn Channel. Heading that way now.

5:11 pm Looks like 12 Orca, I think T101/T102's. Left them at Breton Islands slowly Southbound.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 15:

5:30 pm Transients back and forth around the Breton Islands hunting.

September 15:

6:18 pm 10 to 12 Transients heading over towards Viner Point, Read Island. Not sure who, but most likely from the Hornby Island groups, yesterday. Lots of vocalizations!

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 14:

2 pm Total of 14 Transients were 3 miles off Hornby Island towards Texada. They were just milling about after a kill. Identified as the T101's / T90's / T124's and T046B's. Left them at 2:40 pm slowly headed Northward.

Simon, Taku

September 14:

6:45 pm 2 or 3 Transient Orca on the South-West shoals of Savary Island. A few tail slaps, but just milling about – no specific direction.

Carolyn Jackson, Savary Island

September 12:

Late report: 4 Transient Orca 2 males 2 females popped up right inside Okeover Inlet. (runs from the edge of Desolation Sound in behind Lund – SM)

Wayne Maxted, Powell River

Eagle and Mink Face Off

A touch of humour:

This juvenile Bald Eagle had missed catching a Mink, only managing to dunk it in the ocean. The Mink climbed out onto the rock to be right at eye level with the Eagle. Glaring at one another, the Eagle stood there while the Mink screamed at him. After telling the Eagle off, the Mink decided that discretion was the better part of valour and slipped in between some rocks, just before the Eagle decided to try another pounce. 2012 Susan MacKay, SG Images

Humpback Whale

September 14:

4:06 pm Humpback Whale off Dunsterville Island by the Breton's in Sutil Channel.

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

September 15:

8:30 am 200+ PWS Dolphins in Rock Bay, by Chatham Point.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 15:

9:37 am Left 200 PWS Dolphins Easting at Chatham Point.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 14:

9:27 am 10 or so PWS Dolphins by Cinque Islands.

10 am 100 PWS Dolphins Southbound at Elk Bay.

5:40 pm had 10 PWS Dolphins Northbound by Brown's Bay.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Stranded Dolphins Returned to the Ocean:

This video was filmed right from the start and shows the instant reaction by the people on the beach in Brazil.
http://elcomercio.pe/player/1384898

Dall's Porpoise

September 14:

Day: Saw several more groups of Dall's Porpoise in Bute today. 3 to 6 in each group.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Minke Whale

September 14:

4:30 pm Possible Minke Whale by Village Bay.

Cetacean Sightings from Powell River to Upper Johnstone Strait

Residents, Transients, Humpbacks and Dolphin Sightings back up in numbers. Sightings reports from Powell River to Kelsey Bay with the usual channels above Desolation Sound and Campbell River taking a steady billing of Whales and Dolphins. With the increase in larger Cetacean sightings, the small Dall's and Harbour Porpoise sightings reports are few, but they are still out there.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Orca Choreographed Ballet

2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Northern Resident Killer Whales

September 13:

9:45 am We had all the A's at Eve River Westbound. (Continued under Transients)

Nick Templeman

September 13:

11 am A30's, A25's, and the A23's were all Westbound slowly foraging by Adams River, across from Port Neville. A little farther up Johnstone Strait, the I15's were Eastbound by Naka Creek. On the way back:

1 pm The A36 boys popped up by Loughborough Inlet and headed to Nodales Channel where I left them by Howe Island on my later run!

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 13:

4:30 pm We left the A36's by Howe Island heading East into Nodales Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 12:

8:30 am Resident A36's (2 brothers) are foraging in Nodales Channel by Davis Point.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 12:

9:27 am A36's are now heading West by Harding Island, Nodales Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 12:

10:55 am 5 Orca Eastbound by Vansitaart Point.

11:45 am 5+ Orca, possibly the A8's are Easting at Bear Bight. There's a calf in the group.

12:15 pm There's at least one other group of Orca for a total of 16 to 20 Whales all heading East towards Nodales Channel! The PWS Dolphins, around 500 of them, are right behind them churning the water with their splashes.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 12:

4:30 pm The A30's, A25's and A36's were all foraging in Nodales Channel as they headed towards Frederick Arm.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 11:

8 am A36's are in Nodales heading towards Frederick Arm.

11:15 am The A36 boys are foraging in Nodales around Davis Point.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 11:

3:30 pm Resident A36's were at Sonora Point heading back down towards Davis Point. By the time I left them, around 4:30 pm, they were back up by Hall Point.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Resident Orca with Pacific White Sided Dolphin

2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

September 13:

9:45 am We're now at Cedarstead Creek with 2 Transients, a mom and calf, Eastbound.

12:15 pm T055's and T059's are Westing almost to Blinkhorn right now. They're sleepy, but coming up on some Dall's Porpoise....

Nick Templeman

September 13:

10:40 am 2 Transients were headed North by St Vincent Bight right at the same time as 3 Humpback Whales were Southbound in the same area. The Humpbacks took a deep dive to get past the Transients

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 13:

5 pm 8 Transient Orca between Texada Island and Rebecca Rocks Northbound.

Steven & Susan Grover, Powell River

September 13:

5:30 pm At least 10 Transients were back and forth off Rebecca Rocks, probably on the hunt. By 6 pm they had disappeared behind Texada assumed to continue South.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

September 12:

8:55 am Found 2 Transient Orca, 1 male 1 female, by Mary Point, Cortez Island – don't know where the rest got to.

9:27 am Leaving the 2 Transients heading towards Manson's Passage between Savary and Hernando Islands.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 11:

12:22 pm 7 – 10 Transients just took a seal off the rocks by Twin Islands and are angling towards Sarah Point and Desolation Sound.

1 pm Left them by Powell Islets headed towards Mary Point, Cortez Island.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 11:

3:19 pm Orca between Refuge Cove and Mink Island, still heading in towards Desolation Sound.

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales

2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 13:

7:31 am Humpback Whale near Cape Mudge Northbound – from Campbell River Resident.

9:11 am Humpy is at Race Point Northbound – it's a small one.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 13:

8 am 1 Humpback Whale was spotted Northbound in front of Campbell River.

10:40 am 2 Transients were headed North by St Vincent Bight right at the same time as 3 Humpback Whales were Southbound in the same area. The Humpbacks took a deep dive to get past the Transients

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 13:

10:40 am A Humpback was spotted headed North by Plumper Bay, just up from Campbell River.

September 13:

2:50 pm Left the Humpback Southbound at Brown's Bay.

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

September 13:

Around 3-3:30 a single Whale went thru here today. As usual, by the time I saw it it was not possible to get a good look at it. Campers here in the park were saying it was a humpie. But Ron and I wonder? It was smaller we thought than a humpy. There was a good size blow but it just looked too small for a humpback. The dorsal also looked humpy as well. What else could it be? (It was that small Humpback Whale we've seen a few times lately - SM)

Jacquie Nevinger, Brown's Bay

September 12:

12:45 am We heard a whale come through the passage last night just before 1 am. Sounded like a solo Humpback heading North. So beautiful!

Tara Bladon, Campbell River

September 11:

8 am 1 Humpback by Wilby Shoals area of Cape Mudge Southbound.

8 am 2 Humpback Whales in Deepwater Bay, just above Campbell River.

3:30 pm 2 Humpback Whales by Granite Point.

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

September 13:

9:45 am Had about 300 plus PWS Dolphins at Fanny Island, Kelsey Bay area, heading East. Another 100 plus PWS Dolphins at Current Pass foraging.

Nick Templeman

September 13:

10 am 20+ PWS Dolphins reported by Horne Point, Dent Rapids

September 13:

10 am A minimum of 500 PWS Dolphins filled the narrow Current Pass.

Around 1 pm there was a small group of PWS Dolphins by Okisollo Channel, never saw them on the later run.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 13:

5 pm 50 PWS Dolphins at the mouth of Okisollo Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 12:

8 am 200 PWS Dolphins by Dent Rapids in Denham Bay.

September 12:

10 am 150 PWS Dolphins Westbound in Nodales Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 12:

12:15 pm A huge group of PWS Dolphins – there's around 500 of them – are spread right across Johnstone Strait by Bear Bight. They're going off like popcorn – churning the water with their splashes.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 12:

2:15 pm or so... about 50 PWS Dolphins. Heading towards Seymour Narrows.

Jacquie Nevinger, Brown's Bay

September 12:

4:38 pm Around 40 – 50 PWS Dolphins by McMullen Point.

September 11:

11:15 am 100+ Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging and playing around Horne Bay, Dent Rapids.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 11:

4 pm The PWS Dolphins were still back and forth by Horne Point to Horne Bay.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Dall's and Harbour Porpoise

September 13:

12:15 pm Some Dall's Porpoise in line with some Transients up by Blinkhorn.

Nick Templeman

September 12:

8:55 am A few Dall's were speeding away – Transients were just around the corner.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 12:

12:15 pm A few Dall's Porpoise by Turn Island, close to Chatham Point.

September 12:

3:06 pm A few small groups of Dall's Porpoise between Orford Bay and Fawn Bluff in Bute Inlet. 3 to 4 animals in each group.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

More Humpback Whales than Orca!

Many of the Orca have departed out West, but Humpback Whales are appearing more frequently in our inside waters. There are some Pacific White Sided Dolphins staying in the inner channels, and a few other Cetacean reports.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca T10B

September 9, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Northern Resident Killer Whales

September 10:

10:34 am Found the A36's (two brothers) foraging off of St Vincent Bight close to Kelsey Bay. Slowly headed East.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 10:

1:30 pm The A36's are the only ones still apparently in the Strait and are still slowly Eastbound by Kelsey Bay.

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

Transient Orca T10

September 9, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 10:

Day: The T10's who we had in our area, and by Campbell River yesterday have been reported as continuing West out of the upper Johnstone Strait.

September 9:

2 pm 4 Orca reported by Quathiaski Cove, across from Campbell River in foraging / hunting mode.

3:26 pm 3 or 4 Transients heading North by Plumper Bay including 1 male, 1 sprouter, and 1 female.

6:22 pm The Orca are at at Granite Point Northbound slowly.

September 9:

3:30 pm Orca's off Browns Bay. Looks like only 3. Large male, female and a little one. I could not see anymore than that. It is really raining hard. Heading up Island

Jacquie Nevinger, Brown's Bay

September 9:

3:45 pm The Transients are T10, T10B and T10C – Westing at Deepwater Bay.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 9:

4:55 pm Just left the T10's Orca at Eagle's Cove Northbound.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Humpback Whales

Humpback 'Yogi' BCY 0409 Tail Flukes

September 8, 2012

Lee Ovaltine, Campbell River

September 10:

8:25 am 2 Humpback Whales angling Northbound by Deepwater Bay....no, headed South.

9 am 2 Humpbacks headed South towards Seymour Narrows. Foraging!

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 10:

2:20 pm 2 Humpbacks still around Separation Head.

2:54 pm Another Humpback spotted by the Campbell River Pier.

3 pm Another Humpback off of Francisco Point off of Cape Mudge.

This makes a total of 4 Humpback Whales around Campbell River!

September 10:

4:30 pm 2 Humpback Whales at Granite Point Northbound.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 9:

8:25 am 2 Humpback Whales heading North bucking the tide by Greensea / Kanish Bay.

Scotty, Painter's Lodge

September 9:

9:45 am 2 Humpy's Westing at Chatham Point.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

September 10:

11 am 2 – 6 PWS Dolphins by Chatham Point.

11:50 am 100 - 150 PWS Dolphns between Thurston Bay and Howe Island in Nodales Channel.

Scotty Painter's Lodge

September 10:

3 pm The large group of Dolphins are at Harding Island, by Nodales Channel still.

September 9:

9 am Around 100 PWS Dolphins are in Frederick Arm.

10:42 am 100 or so PWS Dolphins are heading out of Frederick Arm headed to Gomer Island.

September 9:

10:56 am 100 PWS Dolphins in Freddy's Arm.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Harbour Porpoise

September 10:

8:18 am Couple of Harbour Porpoise off Quathiaski Cove along the Quadra shore.

September 9:

Bute Inlet: some Dall's Porpoise, and rain.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Unconfirmed Whale Species

September 7:

Fishermen report of pilot whales about 1/4 mile up Island from Browns Bay. September 7....

Jacquie Nevinger, Brown's Bay