What a great sight while having morning
coffee! After so few reports of any Cetaceans and stormy weather
making them difficult to even spot in the white caps, seeing Humpback
Whales breaching certainly set the tone for the day. And a smile on
my face. As anticipated, we are getting these huge animals coming
down the inside between Vancouver Island and the Mainland. I believe
the earthquakes off the West side of Vancouver Island have something
to do with that. Keep your eyes open. A quick scan of the water can
sometimes provide a great treat and Whales or Dolphin sightings to
report.
I apologize for the
delay in getting this report out.
Humpback
Whales
Breaching Humpback
Whale
Spectacular leap from
such a large animal
Susan MacKay, SG Images
November 18:
7:45 am One Humpback blow and back was
spotted Southbound off the Northwest tip of Texada. It was a brief
sighting as the island obstructed my view.
A few minutes later, as I watched a tug
taking huge sprays in front of Powell River, a huge Humpback Whale
breached a short distance behind. It was an enormous splash! Then
another huge leap, totally out of the water and splash, then another.
Wow! Then two Humpbacks breached side by side....what a show.
Within ten minutes, I counted a total
of 15 breaches between the two Humpbacks. These two were between
Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island slowly working their way towards
Vivian Island. Until 8:50 am there were around six more breaches as I
watched the blows from these two together and at least one, possibly
two other blows farther apart. They rounded the tip of Harwood
angling North-West with the tide.
Not wanting to call anyone too early on
a Sunday morning, I sent out a text message feeling that someone else
needs to enjoy this incredible sight. I heard back from Stephen
Mohan, Powell River who said “Cool! I'll have a look.” And
shortly after one of the full breaches, “Holy cow!” and “Wow
that was great!” Unfortunately, no other reports came in about
these Humpbacks.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
November 10: (late report)
Between 11 am and 12 pm Two Humpback
Whales were seen from the ferry off Saltrey Bay towards Hardy Island.
Carol Adamack, Powell River
Breaching Humpback
Whale
Leaping more than once!
Susan MacKay, SG Images
Orca
– Killer Whales
November 17:
Possible Orca sighting by the Powell
River mill. The 'fins' would roll very slowly and change direction
and seemed animate. Depth would vary too and sometimes they'd seem to
sink out of sight only to pop back up again soon thereafter. The air
spouts were probably not more than a foot tall using the nearby gulls
as a reference but scale is so hard to judge from such a distance.
Not much in the way of answers I know. If it made sense to me then I
may not have even thought to have asked you though I can see now that
any report is probably better than none. (We are still sorting
through some information and photos to determine if these were Orca
or what with the sea lions.n And yes, any report is better than none!
- SM)
Peter Harvey, Powell River
November 14:
4:25 pm Report of a pod of between 20
to 30 Orca by the red can buoy off of Cape Mudge, Quadra Island was
announced over the radio. Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
took a drive and walked his dog along the shore hoping to catch sight
of them. Between us, we couldn't locate the vessel that had reported
them by radio. Unfortunately, even though it was a calm day, he
didn't spot them before having to call it a day in the fading light.
Link:
I have been asked a number of times if
Humpback Whales lunge feeding ever catch birds since birds are also
feeding close by. I had seen one this past year open his mouth to let
a Rhinoceros Auklet, a small diving bird out. Here is a link showing
a Pelican inside the mouth of a Humpback!
Breaching Humpback
Whale
Landings are impressive
too!
Susan MacKay, SG Images
