Orca, Dolphins and Porpoise - Last Report for 2012!

The Holidays limited time to provide updates, so this is a catch-up of the Orca, Dolphins and Porpoise reports received. Some photos, received recently, of Humpback Whales off the Saltery Bay ferry terminal a while back and also, just heard that there were still two Gray Whales at the top of Johnstone Strait...shouldn't they be gone to warmer waters? Hard to imagine that we're looking at the last update for 2012!

May you all have a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous 2013!

A big thanks to all those eyes out there who report what is seen. These reports are all about sharing and monitoring the Cetacean movements, and we couldn't do it without you. Please keep looking and the reports coming. They are all logged and posted.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Humpback Whales Double Breach

Saltery Bay

John McDowell

Transient (Bigg's) Orca – Killer Whales

December 30:

Report that a female, tiny calf and a male Orca headed North through Seymour Narrows. No time given.

Anonymous

December 25:

9:23 am 4 Orca Southbound off Atrevida Reef – just North of Powell River.

3 pm A Mom, Dad and young'un went by the foot of Penticton Street, Powell River headed South.

Grant Rainsley, Powell River

December 25: (rec'd Dec. 26^th)

Around 2 or 3 pm: 5 Orca including 4 females 1 tiny calf and 1 male milling about off the Powell River viewpoint.

Clyde Burton, Powell River

December 24: (rec'd Dec. 26^th)

Afternoon: Some Orca by Gibson's Beach, Powell River.

Clyde Burton, Powell River

December 22:

8 am 2 Orca Southbound a few blocks North of the Westview, Powell River ferry terminal.

Joseph McLean, Powell River

RE: December 21^st report:

Hi Susan. My guess for the 3 orcas, with the male and little one are the T123s. They had been hanging around Blackfish Sound, Johnstone Strait & Blackney Pass for awhile. Happy holidays!!
Leah, Hanson Island

(The only reason I do not think all the sightings are the T123's is because of the above reports, but it is possible. Without photos, it's hard to be sure. Dec. 25^th photos taken off Grief Point were anticipated, but have not seen them yet. Holidays have kept everyone busy! - SM)

Humpback Whale Breach

Saltery Bay

John McDowell

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

December 29:

Had 6 PWS Dolphins Southbound in Seymour Narrows. I never got any pics of the dolphins – elusive in the current.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Dall's Porpoise

December 29:

Saw various groups of 2 to 4 Dall's Porpoise in Nodales Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Humpback Whales

Saltery Bay

John McDowell

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Possible New Orca Calf

Possibly a new Orca calf.... Assumed Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales and a couple of Porpoise reports. Another photo of some of the Southern Resident Orca from a few days ago. And a news link to a Humpback Whale stranding – Somehow this needs commenting on - feel free to post your comments on our Facebook page at WhalesDolphinsBC or below.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Wishing you all the very

Best of the Holidays and a

Happy, Healthy 2013 !

photo: Susan MacKay, SG Images Dec. 2010

Orca – Probably Transients (Bigg's)

December 20:

8 am 3 Orca including one large male, one female and one very, very, small calf. So very small is it new?? They were Southbound passing Albion (Black) Point down Malaspina Strait very tight together. They were resting on the surface and taking their time moving. The big male gave one very large spy hop while the calf stayed tight to Mom.

Bill Taylor, Powell River

Southern Resident Orca

December 14, 2012

Dave Glaze, Powell River

Porpoise

December 18:

10:20 am 2 Porpoise headed South past Powell River. Couldn't tell which species, but definitely Porpoise and not Dolphin.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

LINK:

Humpback Whale Stranding link:

http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2012/12/stranded_whale_survives_euthan.php

NOTE:

A reminder to all that there are many photos, reports and information available by clicking on the Archived Pages links. I am working on easier access to these older reports, but for now, it's a few clicks.

Win a Four Day Cruise for Two Draw

Draw date: March 16, 2013

Click on the above link for details.

For those of you who do not want to use PayPal, or have run into problems trying to Donate through PayPal, please contact me to make alternate arrangements and ensure your name gets into the draw.

Flower Dolphin Fountain in China

photo credit: the internet

no name of photographer given

Southern Resident Orca and More Orca!

Southern Resident Killer Whales made their annual December trip up around the Powell River area. Other Orca, thought to be Transient, Bigg's Killer Whales also swung by. (Apologies for the delayed report.)

Remember ALL sightings reports are important!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Southern Resident Killer Whales

Southern Resident Orca Porpoising

by Grief Point December 14, 2012

Steve Grover, Powell River

December 14:

10:40 a.m. Watching a pod of orcas, heading north. Two of the smaller females were in quite close to Black Point (Albion) the pod is scattered, some mid strait. Saw two males, at least two other females. Think we have spotted a few more, but they are very scattered, can barley locate the blows in the moderate waves, northwest wind 10 knots.

11:10 a.m. more stragglers, in fairly close to Donkersley beach, half a km from shore, could hear the blows. Appeared to be all females; one juvenille and two young ones swimming quite close together with a male in the far distance.

Laura Johnson, Powell River

December 14:

11:15 am At least 4 Orca, didn't notice any big fins passing by. Really spread out, hard to tell for sure how many. They're doing long dives, I think as they work their way slowly North in front of us. (Albion Point area – SM) A couple of them are right in close to shore and a seal is popping up watching.

Bill Taylor, Powell River

Southern Resident Orca

by Albion Point December 14, 2012

Bill Taylor, Powell River

December 14:

Thanks for the advance notice of orca coming up the Malaspina Strait today.

At 12 noon we saw 3 or four orca, very spread out, slowly making their way north west up past Myrtle Rocks, Powell River. One was quite large and had a very long thin dorsal fin. Then we saw at least eight more, a lot further behind the first ones. These two second groups had about four or five in each group with two small ones. Unfortunately they were too far out from shore for us to get photos.

12:19 pm Large group heading north past Beach Gardens now.

Holly Roy and Bob Brooks, Powell River

December 14:

12 pm At least 6 including 1 big male about mid-channel between VanAnda (Texada Island) and Grief Point. There's one closer to the mainland side. Another group or two showed up closer to Grief Point.

12:20 pm Last group of 8 Orca just rounded Grief Point.

John and Joan Treen, Powell River

December 14:

12:15 pm Went down to the Powell River viewpoint, since the skiff is still in the shop, with the hopes of having the whales come closer after the heads up call received. But, they didn't come close; disappointing. I did see between 12 to 18 Orca heading North-West towards Rebecca Rocks and Harwood. They were in 2 or 3 groups with some tail slapping and at least three full breaches that I saw.

2:19 pm they're still off Rebecca Rocks heading towards Vancouver Island still really spread out. By 3 pm they had all turned South-West and I lost sight of them behind Texada Island.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

December 14:

Thanks for the heads up on the Orca passing by. I think they must be the same large pod of transients that passed by on Wednesday. (These ones turned out to be Southern Residents - SM) I think there were at least 20 animals in total that I could count. When my friend Dave and I got to Grief Point we could only see 5 or 6 on the far side of the Strait close to Texada Island. That group had a bull with them. Three more were cruising north about mid Strait and then a few minutes later we saw 3 more about 200 meters off shore. I actually heard their blows because I was trying to photograph the other group. I heard some more blows and saw at least 5 animals between Grief point and the Beach Gardens breakwater and about 100 meters off shore. This group seemed to be on the hunt as they were porpoising and changing direction quickly while near the surface. About 15 minutes later I noticed 2 more Orca at mid Strait one of which was a bull too. Lots of fun and it was a first for my friend Dave Glace, he got some nice shots too. I think some of the saddle patch is visible on the image of the bull's dorsal if you zoom in.

Steve Grover, Powell River

Southern Resident Orca J28 plus

by Grief Point December 14, 2012

Steve Grover, Powell River

Orca – Probably Transients (Bigg's)

December 12:

11:15 am 4 Orca 2 in closer to Westview, Powell River and 2 closer to the Blubber Bay light off Texada Island.

Grant Rainsley, Powell River

December 12:

From the call above till 12 pm I counted between 10 to 12 Orca with 2 males and one juvenile angling North-West towards Rebecca Rocks and Harwood while 2 females angled towards the Powell River mill.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

December 12:

2 pm The Orca are still between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood.

Steve Grover, Powell River

December 12:

3:45 pm Pod of Orca just off the Comox ferry terminal heading North. Seen from ferry.

Don & Karen MacAndrew

NOTE:

A reminder to all that there are many photos, reports and information available by clicking on the Archived Pages links. I am working on easier access to these older reports, but for now, it's a few clicks.

Win a Four Day Cruise for Two Draw

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Finally some Sightings - Orca and Dolphins

Just when you think there will be another minimal report, some Whales and Dolphins pop up. Today we had Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales, first reported off Savary / Lund this morning, and Pacific White Sided Dolphins in front of Powell River. Some very late reports also came in, but at least they were reported. A report from Hawaii too. Although I had hopes of the Southern Resident Orca who were seen Northbound by Victoria the other day, it was not to be – yet. They are due, every December in the Powell River to Comox area. Keep an eye out.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

off marina by Grief Point, Powell River

December 10, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Transient Orca – Bigg's Killer Whales

December 10:

9:47 am 5 or 6 Orca headed towards Powell River from Savary / Lund area.

Gordie Coles, Savary Island

December 10:

11:57 am The 6 Orca suddenly appeared just between the Powell River ferry terminal and the Viewpoint heading South in quite a hurry. There was one male and one juvenile in the group. Perhaps they were in pursuit of the Dolphins, but no Dolphins were sighted other than the report below. With the skiff in the shop, I drove down to Beach Gardens to hopefully catch them on camera. They slowed right down by the marina stopping briefly as if to check something out. A sea lion quickly made a bee line to shore. I left them at 12:45 pm continuing South towards Myrtle Rocks doing longer dives and moving slower.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

between Grief Point, Powell River and Texada Island

December 10, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

December 10:

12 pm Some Orca just popped up down by the viewpoint in Powell River. Just happened to look out and saw them.

Steve Grover, Powell River

December 10:

12:03 pm Killer Whales in front of the Powell River Ferry right now. 2 Orca Southbound – from friend on the ferry.

Stephen Mohan, Powell River

December 1: (late report)

1 lone Orca was seen chasing a bunch of sea lions onto the beach at Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island.

Dave & Nancy Gough, Powell River

October 19: (late report)

Shortly after 5 pm there was a large pod of around 20 Orca off the North-West side of Texada Island angling towards Comox. There were some splashes, tail lobs and breaches. Seen from the Powell River to Comox ferry.

Marc Salewski, Powell River

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

Looking towards one of the terraced mines

just South of VanAnda on Texada Island

December 10, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

December 10:

Between 10 and 10:30 am Around 30 Pacific White Sided Dolphins were foraging close in to shore by Willingdon Beach. They were running back and forth.

Ted Douglas, Powell River

Humpback Whales

December 5:

7:11 pm 2 Humpback Whales just passed Poipu, Kauai heading South.

Gordie Coles, on holiday in Hawaii

NOTE:

A reminder to all that there are many photos, reports and information available by clicking on the Archived Pages links. I am working on easier access to these older reports, but for now, it's a few clicks.

Win a Four Day Cruise for Two Draw

Draw date: March 16, 2013

Click on the above link for details.

For those of you who do not want to use PayPal, or have run into problems trying to Donate through PayPal, please contact me to make alternate arrangements and ensure your name gets into the draw.

Orca - Killer Whales by Powell River

Some Orca – Killer Whales sighted around Powell River. Winds and waves crashing on the rocks make it difficult to spot anything. While looking, some of the crashing waves can even look like blows. Watching for a few minutes will usually confirm if the 'blow' has a body and is moving. They are out there, it's just spotting them in this big ocean!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Orca – Most Likely Transients

December 2:

12 pm 2 Big Fins and at least one smaller one between Lang Bay and Texada Island heading North up Malaspina Strait. Lots of bird activity in the area too.

Michael Stewart, Powell River

December 2:

1 pm With hopes of managing a photo or two for identification, drove down to Grief Point and friend, Judy Brant was the first to spot a confirmed blow just off VanAnda across the Strait from us. Once we located where the Orca were, I managed a count of 6 blows in two groups not too far apart from one another and finally saw a couple of dorsals between large waves. With the waves crashing against the jagged Texada shore, confirmation of more blows was impossible. The whales stayed closer to Texada so photos were not possible. Watching through binoculars, Judy managed to see 2 breaches off the light by Blubber Bay as they angled towards Rebecca Rocks; I was disappointed to miss them. At 2:47 pm they turned and angled towards the Powell River Mill when I finally could confirm 6 dorsals – then I lost them.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Regarding November 28 report:
CORRECTION TO PREVIOUSLY POSTED SIGHTING REPORT: This California Transient sighting was NOT on November 28; however, the T18s WERE sighted on November 28.

"November 24: Transients CA172 with another female and juvenile were traveling quickly west bound in the middle of the Juan de Fuca Strait. I previously documented CA172 in the same region in December 2010 with 6 -8 other individuals. Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales"
Alisa Schulman-Janiger, California Killer Whale Project

(Thanks again Alisa for the Correction – really appreciate it. SM)

Win a Cruise for Two Draw date: March 16, 2013

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For those of you who do not want to use PayPal, or have run into problems trying to Donate through PayPal, please contact me to make alternate arrangements and ensure your name gets into the draw.

Thank you to those that have contributed so far.

A note about the December 2^nd Orca reports above:

With a hydrophone, underwater listening device, established in a strategic location or two, we could have confirmed whether or not these Orca were Transients or Residents through their unique vocalizations. Every 'clan' has their own dialect. This is on the Whales and Dolphins BC wish list – see the Support – Enter Draw page.

Links in the News:

Received a CNN link to a very lucky dog with an Orca chasing him. Worth a look as this one looks legitimate:

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/living/2012/11/22/orig-jtb-distraction-orca-dog.cnn

Japanese Whaling Survey Results from International Fund for Animal Welfare:

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/more-back-whaling-than-not-japan-survey/story-e6freoo6-1226525219817