Have You Seen Any of These?

Friday, November 30, 2012

California Transient Orca Around

Sightings of California Transient Orca from the Victoria area is the only report over the last few days since the last update. We have seen California Transients by Powell River as they cruised up Georgia Strait last year. They made their way to the top of Vancouver Island and farther North. These are Transient “Bigg's” Killer Whales that are most often seen in California, hence the name. Keep a lookout, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them along the Sunshine Coast.

New Links page is now up on the main website, and don't forget we're on Facebook too at WhalesDolphinsBC

I've added a few other links of interest, in the news at the bottom of this report.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC


Transient Orca – Bigg's Killer Whales

November 28:
Transient T18s and California transient Ca 172 were sighted near Victoria BC Canada. I ran into California female Ca 172 in 2011 alongside other Southern transients.
Josh McInnes


Win a Cruise for Two Draw date: March 16, 2013
Click on the above link for details.


Links in the News:

The story behind the new “Bigg's” name for Transients:

Endangered Species:

White Humpback Whale off Norway:

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Transient Orca, Dolphins and a Humpback

Transient Orca popped up by Campbell River and disappeared while Pacific White Sided Dolphins worked their way to Powell River. A Humpback Whale sighting rounds out this short report.
Sightings reports are few, but do keep looking – they are out there!
Happy Thanksgiving to our US friends! We all have a lot to be thankful for.
Watch for the new Links Page on the main web site – should be up in the next day or two.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca – Bigg's Killer Whales

Transient Orca
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

November 24:
12:26 pm 4 to 5 Transient Orca Southbound by the Tyee Spit off Campbell River. There are 4 small fins and one calf.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

Humpback Whale

November 25:
11:00 am While fishing off cape Rodger Curtis, Bowen island, there was what I assumed to be a Humpback Whale at rest. The whale was about 200 meters of the point and stayed there for about 15 to 20 minutes after my arrival. It then slowly moved off in what seemed to be a southerly direction.
John Clothier, West Vancouver

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

November 24:
4 pm Dolphins!! Finally! 100 to 150 PWS Dolphins are working their way Southwards to Powell River from the East spit off Harwood Island. They seemed to be foraging in one direction, headed towards Grief Point. As the Comox ferry arrived in Powell River, the dolphins made a sudden turn off the Viewpoint and did their fast foraging manoeuvres towards the ferry. They use boats quite frequently to help corral feed – the first time they used my skiff, I was surprised to have them charge towards me. One of the photos is used in the rotating images of the Whales and Dolphins BC web site.
The Dolphins foraged back and forth till around 5 pm when it was getting far too dark to see them, they had made their way somewhere between the Powell River Mill and Willingdon Beach. They were not spotted after.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Win a Cruise for Two Draw date: March 16, 2013
Click on the link for details.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Breaching Humpback Whales and Orca Report

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.
Win a Cruise for Two Draw date: March 16, 2013
I apologize for the delay in getting this report out.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

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

Monday, November 12, 2012

Humpback Whales, Transient Orca and Dolphins

Humpback Whales are moving South between Vancouver Island and the mainland, while Transient Orca are meandering about stopping to take the occasional sea lion. Some Pacific White Sided Dolphins were also reported off Savary Island. I have sworn I've seen some blows and then nothing, but since I can't confirm, these are not reported below. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I don't think so.
Most of the Sightings reports below have come in late after the fact, but still are important, so a reminder to all to please keep them coming.
Win a Cruise for Two Draw date: March 16, 2013
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

Transient Orca
by Harwood Island
Susan MacKay, SG Images

November 12:
11 am At least 8 Transient Orca were spotted heading North-West by Shelter Point, close to Vancouver Island. There was at least 1 big fin (male) and it's believed that it was the same group that was around Cowichan on November 11th seen taking a sea lion. (Rumour has it that the whales included T93. - SM)
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

November 10:
Late report that earlier in the day, there were some Orca just off Lund. No direction or numbers.
Geri Batchelor, Savary Island

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale
Lunge Feeding
Nick Templeman

November 7:
10 am Saw a big animal and blow, assumed to be a Humpback Whale off the Powell River viewpoint headed towards Grief Point.
Steve Grover, Powell River

November 1:
This is a picture of my whale sighting. I was standing on the rocks of the Saltery Bay campsite and the whales are breeching over by Hardy Island. You have to zoom in the picture and those white dots are the splash. When I saw the splash I heard boom boom 2 seconds later. (When Humpbacks land their breech, it can sound like an explosion. Especially if there are hills to echo off of. - SM)
Jeannette Russell, Powell River

November (last week sometime):
No time or actual numbers, but there was a report that there were Humpback Whales by Oyster River, Vancouver Island.


Humpback Whales
by Hardy Island
Jeannette Russell

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

November 1:
8 am 6 to 8 PWS Dolphins were jumping around our boat and bow rode for 20 minutes or so 100 yards off the beach at Indian Point, Savary Island. Great experience.
Jim and Shelly, Savary Island


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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Rumours of Whales and Sightings of 'Winter' Hummingbirds

Rumours have it that there have been 2 more Humpback Whales other than 'Maude' around the Powell River area as well as some Pacific White Sided Dolphins between Savary Island and Lund last week. Orca reports are also sketchy and rumour has it that there were a couple, at least, of them headed down Johnstone Strait around Sunderland Channel.

I'm told that people made the assumption that these sightings had been reported by someone else. I heard about them third hand and a long time after the fact, so details are too sketchy to post as actual reports. I have included some links below to at least provide you with your whales and dolphins fix for the past few days.

A reminder to all; Please do not assume that sightings reports are passed on. Every sightings report IS important! Rather 10 reports of the same animal(s) than none at all. Also, frequently there are bits of detail that are noted by one reporter and not by the other, which can help in identification.

Work has been progressing on the various media outlets and new links on the main web site. Of major note, when it was brought to my attention, the Win a Cruise for Two Draw date had to be moved up to March 16, 2013 to allow enough time for people to make proper arrangements. I apologize for the confusion and thank the people who have both brought this to my attention and have contributed to Whales and Dolphins BC's Projects and Wish List. Good luck in the Draw! I am looking for volunteers to help out! If you are interested, please contact me.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Whale Sightings Reports

No actual reports from November 2 to November 7, 2012

BUT:
For those of you who enjoyed the 'Winter' Hummingbirds last year, I am so fortunate to have 4 Anna's Hummingbirds right now. There are three females and one male at the moment. I did have one other male, but he may have just been passing through. Will keep everyone posted. These birds, at least some, will stay all winter long.
See the Archived posts for more info and photos of them in the snow. Anyone wanting to put up a feeder for these birds are reminded that the colder it gets, the richer the food needs to be. My mixture is listed on the same post.

Since there are no actual Whales, Dolphins or Porpoise reports, here are a few links for you:

Humpback Whales off Hawaii interacting with Bottlenose Dolphins:

Orca taken from the Wild in Russia:

Transient Orca – T059's
2012
Nick Templeman

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Few Cetacean Sightings include Orca and Humpback Whales

Cetacean Sightings have been few over the past few foggy and rainy days, but Transient Orca, identified as the T02C's made an appearance and a Humpback Whale, most likely 'Maude', was again spotted just below Powell River. No reports on October 31 or the first day of November.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

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Humpback Whale BCY027 'Maude'
October 28, 2012
Susan MacKay, SG Images

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

October 30:
12 pm Possible Orca spotted in Discovery Passage on a web cam by Nodales Channel.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

October 30:
1:20 pm 4 Transient Orca at Hall Point, Nodales Channel easting into Cordero Channel. Looks like the T02C's doing long dives. The calf is getting bigger. I've only got my phone for photos today – it isn't the greatest.
2:04 pm They just came through the Dent Rapids. Looks like they're going seal or sea lion hunting.
2:50 pm Lost the Orca by Jimmy Judd Island. The currents started running pretty good.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Orca T02C's
October 30, 2012
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Humpback Whale

October 29:
Humpback continuing its path, spotted 11 a.m. between Donkersley beach and China Bay, mid Malaspina Strait. (just below Albion Point, but above Lang Bay) It seemed to be heading east. At one point it sounded, with flukes up, disappearing for several minutes.
Laura Johnson, Powell River

Humpback Whale BCY027 'Maude'
October 28, 2012
Susan MacKay, SG Images