Have You Seen Any of These?

Friday, May 31, 2013

WOW - Amazing Whale Encounters! Flying Orca, Humpbacks, Dolphins and some small Porpoise

Amazing whale encounters! Orca flying high, just because they were having a good time! Others, both Orca and Humpback, just sleepily floating with the tides. Nice to see the Humpbacks coming through our areas but they have not been as spectacular as the Orca the past couple of days. Some Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Harbour Porpoise round out this report.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales


Transient Orca T02C doing the most Amazing Leap
May 19, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 31:
7:30 am 7 Orca going North past WeWaiKai village (Cape Mudge) on Quadra Isl. Side. There's 1 Big fin for sure.
8:15 am The Transients are going back and forth zig zagging in front of the village still. Probably feeding.
9 am They're .5 mi off the Vancouver Island side by Rona Hardware, Storries beach. T18 and gang now Southbound slowly. T002C's and T123's too.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 31:
10:20 10-12 Orca .25 miles South of Cape Mudge close to the Vancouver Island shore headed slowly North.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

May 31:
10:55 am leaving the 10-12 Orca about 5 km off Willow Point close into shore splashing about and heading South.
11:11 am Two Big fins (Orca) by Whaletown, Cortez Island heading for Marina Island.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 31:
11:30 am 3 Orca, all small fins, Southbound by Steep Island cruise ship dock in Discovery Passage after kill.
Mario, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 31:
11:30 am Counted 10 Orca, 1 large fin, 1 calf and 8 females by Shelter Point south of Campbell River. By 11:46 am they were Southbound at around 4 knots and went into Oyster Bay.
Kurt, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 31:
1:56 pm 10 – 12 Orca are zig zagging all over the place out here. Hard to keep track of. They're 1 mile off the Vancouver Island shore 2 miles South of Salmon Point – they look like they're hunting. When I first got here I saw a seal fly 15 feet in the air and now it looks like they may be on something.
3:02 pm Now 1 mile off Salmon Point aiming for Cape Lazo.
4:48 pm They're 15 miles to the West of Sentry Shoal angling towards Grant's Reef, off Savary Island at a steady 7 to 8 knots. Only confirmed ID's are T18/T19's – don't want to speculate on the rest. They look like they're heading towards either Texada or Harwood.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 31:
6 pm Heard on the radio that Orcas now in Baynes Sound. DFO saying boats were too close to them and warning people about regulations. The Orcas are all over!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 30:
One large Orca heading north, Powell River townsite, seen from house on Laburnum Ave.
Marion Blank, Powell River

May 30:
9:45 am 5 or so Orca Northbound off the Sonora Resort dock.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

May 30:
12:52 pm Orca Southbound by Howe Island. Had no time to stay with them, so left them around 1:15 pm just North of Cinq Islands in Discovery Pass.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 30:
5:20 pm 5 Orca are at Steep Island, heading to Seymour Narrows, Southbound now. T18 and T19 in the gang.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

T02C Breaching Again!
May 29, 2013
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 29:
12:15 pm Report of 5 Orca by Marina Island no direction. From Way West Water Taxi boat.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 29:
2:42 pm T002C's and T123's are 1.5 miles off Francisco Point, Cape Mudge area sleepily Northbound. 3:40 pm Orca turned slowly South.
4:40 pm 7 Orca They're 1.75 miles off the Quadra shore towards Marina Island. They're Southbound, Northbound and just milling. And DID they wake up!!
We had a report of 5KW's off of Marina Island from a watertaxi. So all the vessels converged on the area. 2 had gone through, no luck, so we slowed down and had a good look. When my guest who was facing backwards spotted them she practically jumped out of her seat!
Submitted with some photos: They were being very social, some tail lobs, small spy hops etc. the Juveniles were doing small breaches. Then all of a sudden T002C came flying out of the water so high I couldn't believe it!! Still amazed I was able to capture it! She then jumped 4 more x back to back! T123A got in on the action and breached a few times as well! Every time we went to leave it started again! My 4 hour tour turned into 7, but you just can't leave when things like this are taking place! Please enjoy the pics, look forward to seeing the report!
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 29:
4 pm 5 Orca right in front of our house! Any closer and they would have been in our yard!They were very active with tail lobs, breaching and even vocalizing above the water. There were two small calves in the group. They stayed around quite a while on the SE side of Denman Island.
Chris Danks, Denman Island

May 29:
At approximately 5:30 pm May 29/13 heading south this pod of killer whales was spotted from my deck Powell River, south of town at end of Whalen road. (Sorry, photo got bumped this time, but will post another time – SM)
Myrna, Powell River South

May 29:
What a performance the Orca put on! Best performance I've ever witnessed. Got some great shots too. They started out sleepy then they came to life.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 29:
6 pm Transients off Cortez Reef Southbound. Relayed to me.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 29:
They were very happy whales, and one amazing manoeuvre: a dolphin like leap, a horizontal hang, and a tuck over and beautiful slick re-entry. Just like a giant PWS Dolphin. WOW!
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

May 26: (rec'd 31st)
3 pm 3+ Orca heading South in Lambert Channel. Very active: breaching tail slaps etc.
Chris Danks, Denman Island

May 21:
no time given – 3 Orca by North Rocks hunting by South end of Hornby Island then headed South in Georgia Strait.
Chris Danks, Denman Island

May 20:
not time given – 6 Orca Northbound in Lambert Channel about mid-channel.
Chris Danks, Denman Island

Here's Looking at you!
May 29, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

Humpback Whales

May 30:
8:43 am 2 or more Humpback Whales out in front of the Campbell River marina. No direction.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 30:
8:49 am 2 or 3 big puffs – Humpbacks right off the Grouse Island Light by the ferry terminal Campbell River – call from Dick Summer.
9:39 am I can see the HB's now. Northbound by April Point closer to Quadra Island.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 30:
9 am 2 Humpback Whales announced on ferry – I'm looking. They said mid-channel in front of Discovery Harbour Marina. 9:46 am Humpbacks Northbound by April Point now.
4 pm 2 Humpbacks Northbound by Chatham Point.
4:50 pm 1 Humpback Whale by Brown's Bay – no direction.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 29:
7:52 pm Humpback Southbound off Whilby Shoals, Cape Mudge area.
Radio

May 28:
10:40 am Humpback Whale Southbound mid channel in the current in front of April Point, Discovery Pass. Info came from the April Point Connector.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 31:
8:49 am 150 PWS Dolphins in Hole in the Wall at Orca Point.
11:30 am The Pacific White Sided Dolphins are still around Hole in the Wall at the East end of Calm Channel.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

May 29:
10:45 am 6 PWS Dolphins Northbound in Seymour Narrows by Menzies Bay.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 28:
10:30 am 20-ish Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Hall Point, Nodales Channel Southbound.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

May 28:
3:06 pm 7 PWS Dolphins by Horn Point by Dent Rapids. They're pretty shy right now.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

Harbour Porpoise

May 29:
Afternoon (no time given) 3 or so Harbour Porpoise mid-channel foraging around Cyrus Rock in Okisollo Channel between Octopus Islands and Beazley Passage.
Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

Hanging Airborne T02C
May 29, 2013
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise? Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report. Every sighting report is valuable!

The official governing non-profit society of Whales and Dolphins BC is
Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Monday, May 27, 2013

Orca Chasing Dolphins, Humpback Whales and other Cetacean Sightings

Humpback Whales are starting to move through and back up the coast. Transient Bigg's Killer Whales chasing Pacific White Sided Dolphins and some Dall's and Harbour Porpoise round out this report.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!


Transient Bigg's Killer Whales Chase Pacific White Sided Dolphins into Sechelt Inlet

Transient Bigg's in Porpoise Bay
May 26, 2013
Sam Nisbet, Sechelt

Reminder: There are Whale Watching Guidelines to protect the whales.

May 26:
around 11:30 am I don't know if you have been informed yet but there was probably 50-60 porpoise heading down to the head of Porpoise Bay and followed by several killer whales today at around 11-30. I don't know exactly how many (Orca) there were but it looked like 10-15. The funny thing is I never saw as many porpoise or whales go back out. They were down at the end of the bay for a good 40-50 minutes so I would imagine someone has some photos or videos. I have included the only photo I got. I thought I was taking a video. I should read the camera instruction book first lol.
Sam Nisbet, Sechelt

May 26:
Two orcas observed yesterday, May 26, in Porpoise Bay, Sechelt Inlet pursuing dolphins.
Bert Carswell, Sechelt

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

May 26:
1:52 pm 6 Orca Southbound by Maurelle Island/Okisollo Channel. There's 1 big male. They headed out through Hole in the Wall into Calm Channel.
Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 26:
3:57 pm Just about to leave the Orca the T02C's and T123's. They went right into Whiterock Passage. They just turned around and are heading North towards Calm Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 26:
5:27 pm So we are now Northbound at the top of North Rendezvous Island (Calm Channel) now. Still sleepy and rolling along. We have just left the Orca.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 25:
6:30 am Report of 3 Orca Northbound past Quathiaski Cove across from Campbell River. From a friend. With the big ebb tide, they're probably going to be way up the channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

Spy Hopping Transient Bigg's Orca
May 26, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 25:
11:20 am Orca Southbound by McMullen Point. Left them at 12:20 pm at the Narrows running at 7 knots South.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 25:
12 pm 5 Orca Southbound by Brown's Bay, above Campbell River. T023's
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 25:
1:28 pm Found the Orca T023's just off Quathiaski Cove Southbound.
1:40 pm 2 groups of 3 Orca, all small fins, still Southbound 1.5 miles off shore heading towards Salmon Point.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 25:
The Bigg's Transients, a family of 4 , the T 77's were in our area, Albert Head (Victoria) Saturday May 25th, dining on harbour seals.
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca Magic

May 24:
11:22 am 3 Orca spotted just South of Lund – looked like they were headed South, but never showed.
Elizabeth Tenhoeve, Powell River

May 24:
Whilst we were all at Friday's Savary Island Dock Committee meeting, held on the dock, Rick Shanaman pointed out breaching whales. Meeting was at 11am, so it was about 11:30 am. They were out toward Major Rock.
Rick Thaddeus, Savary Island Real Estate

May 24:
12:35 pm Heard there are 3 Orca off Savary. Saw 1 fin looking over towards the East end of Savary. Looks like they're Northbound.
Gordie Coles, Sevilla / Savary Island

Transient Bigg's T023C3 with many scratches
most likely from a Sea Lion fighting back.
May 25, 2013
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Humpback Whales

May 27:
10 am Just saw a couple of blows from a Humpback, but no flukes. He/she was heading towards Atrevida Reef. Snuck past Powell River.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 27:
12:04 pm Humpback Northbound by Middle Point, Copper Bluffs in Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 27:
2 pm The Humpback is still lazing about in Seymour Narrows.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 25:
10:20 am Humpback by Copper Bluffs (Campbell River) Southbound on the Quadra Island side.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 25:
1:45 pm The Humpback is now by the Tyee pool in front of Campbell River.
Oak Bay boat

May 19:
Hi Susan, These three Humpbacks were around Victoria Sunday May 19th. Interesting Dorsal of one of them...the light coloured one. I have cropped in close so one can see what I believe is the results of possible killer whales, the mighty T's, leaving scars on that dorsal, and possibly Cookie Cutter shark mark, white circular patch on the darker one near the dorsal fin. Let me know what you think. One of the Humpbacks was Split Fluke as we call her/him. That was the only one that lazily raised its fluke for us, x 1
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca Magic
Sorry, not enough room in email feed to post all photos, but the one round mark, I would say is from a Cookie Cutter shark (see photo) and the other possible Transient rake marks actually look more like entanglement marks, but can't be certain. SM

Humpback with Cookie Cutter Shark bite
May 19, 2013
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca Magic

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 27:
1:31 pm Some PWS Dolphins at the East end of Hole in the Wall.
Radio

May 27:
2 pm 20 to 25 PWS Dolphins mid-channel by Brown's Bay heading North.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 26:
See Transient Bigg's opening report.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 24:
1:40 pm We had 7 PWS Dolphins in Teakerne Arm, Lewis Channel Northbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 22: (rec'd late)
A pod of about a dozen pacific white sided dolphins in Sechelt Inlet near Tuwanek on Wednesday (may 22nd) morning. Alas, nothing happening on the return home today.
Joan Bech, Roberts Creek

Dall's and Harbour Porpoise

May 27:
2 pm There are some Dall's and Harbour Porpoise at the entrance to Nodales Channel.
Radio

May 27:
3:42 pm 8 Dall's Porpoise Southbound by Deepwater Bay, Discovery Pass.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 25:
2:40 pm 1 or 2 Harbour Porpoise in the tide rips off Cape Mudge.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise? Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report. Every sighting report is valuable!

The official governing society of Whales and Dolphins BC is Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Cetacean Sightings: Killer Whales, Dolphins Everywhere and a few Other Species

Transient Bigg's Orca spent 4 hours in front of Powell River then did their usual disappearing act! Pacific White Sided Dolphins are in numbers up the inlets with a few Dall's Porpoise close by. There was also a possible Humpback or Grey Whale. A reminder to please call or submit your sightings reports. We'd rather hear twenty times about the same sighting than not at all.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

Breaching Transient Bigg's Orca off Powell River
May 20, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 21:
11:56 am two pods of Orca by Quathiaski Cove, Campbell River northbound.
Jos Kryjnen, Eagle Eye Whale Watching
Note: This was a second or third hand report and the whales were never spotted again from shore or whale watching boats on the water throughout the day. Did YOU see them? Please report it! SM

May 21:
1:30 pm We had an encounter with 5 members of the T 124A's around 1330hrs. A tiny calf was present. We found this group on the Canadian side of Haro Strait, heading north.
Marie O'Shaughnessy, 'Orca-Magic'

May 20:
12:19 pm 3 at least Orca just south of Grief Point heading Northward. From a tugboat skipper talking to another boat.
Radio

May 20:
12:56 pm Just spotted 3+ Orca Northbound past Grief Point including 2 large males – also a big blow from either a Humpback or Grey Whale (see separate report below). By 1:20 pm they stalled on a kill half way between VanAnda and Blubber Bay, Texada. I watched till almost 2 pm while they breached and threw their tails high in the air. I saw a total of 5 breaches and a bunch of tail lobs. Unfortunately, again, I had no chance to get on the water.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 20:
1:50 pm Picked up the Orca just finishing up on a meal.
3:14 pm They're now at Rebecca Rocks, Powell River Northbound very slowly. I saw 6 Orca for sure including T02C's.
4:10 pm Left the Orca still slowly Northbound past Vivian Island looks like they're going to Grant's Reef. It was a great tour with an Eagle swooping in to pick up some of the scraps. It was the best performance of the season, so far!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 20:
Wasn't too far behind Garry. T02C's and T123's heading out towards Vivian Island now. Left them at 4:10 pm angling slightly towards Grant's Reef off Savary Island
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Transient Bigg's Orca T123, T02C, T02C3, T123B
May 20, 2013 Texada / Powell River
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 23:
8:00 am Just seen a small group of dolphins, about five, close to shore off Pebble Beach near Myrtle Rocks. I believe they are feeding as they are not really going anywhere, just long dives and milling around. How do they stay down for so long? Amazing!
P.S. On our trip to Vancouver last Thursday, May 16, from the Saltery Bay 9:20 am ferry we were alerted by the captain that dolphins were coming up on the starboard bow. There were lots of them, maybe about fifty, but hard to count, as they were going by so fast. They were leaping right out of the water and putting on a fine show! Sorry for the late report.
Holly Roy, South Powell River

May 23:
10 am Large group of PWS Dolphins heading into Bute Inlet by Johnson Bluff.
Radio

May 23:
11:30 am A dozen PWS Dolphins just East of Aran Rapids, Bute Inlet.
12 pm Large number of PWS Dolphins heading up Bute Inlet spread out from Aran Rapids to Fawn Bluff.
Arron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

May 23:
3:46 pm 100 PWS Dolphins at the mouth of Aran Rapids in Bute foraging all over.
4:47 pm 25 more PWS Dolphins Northbound by Deepwater Bay.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 21:
1:18 pm Half a dozen PWS Dolphins on the way up towards Bute Inlet.
3:30 pm 100 PWS Dolphins spread out in different groups between Henrietta Point and Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet. They're foraging.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 20:
9:45 am 50 PWS Dolphins by McMullen Point, Discovery Passage Northbound.
Oak Bay boat on Radio

May 20:
10:55 am The Dolphins are now at the mouth of Okisollo Channel.
Radio

May 20:
12:44 pm About 25 PWS Dolphins scattered and moving quickly Northward. I expect the Orca (see above) aren't too far behind.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 20:
1:49 pm 10 PWS Dolphins by Deepwater Bay in Discovery Passage.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

May 19:
5:30 pm PWS Dolphins near Brown's Bay. Elvis had them, not sure how many or direction.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

Pacific White Sided Dolphins
May 21, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

Dall's Porpoise

May 23:
4:10 pm 4 Dall's Porpoise Southbound by Hole in the Wall.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 21:
3 pm 4 Dall's bow riding at the mouth of Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours


Humpback or Grey Whale ?

May 20:
12:56 pm As the Orca headed towards Texada I spotted a large blow that came from either a smaller Humpback Whale or a Grey Whale.
The blows I saw headed South. Didn't see any flukes. Guess he/she just wanted to get out of the way of the Transient Bigg's KW's
May 21:
9:12 am Just saw a big blow Northbound past the Westview ferry terminal heading towards Atrevida Reef. I think it's a humpback, but again, the blow is shaped more like a Grey Whale. Possibly the whale figured it was finally safe to head North.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Bigg's Orca T124's
May 21, 2013
Marie O'Shaughnessy, 'Orca-Magic'

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise? Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report. Every sighting report is valuable!

The official governing society of Whales and Dolphins BC is Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Cetaceans Everywhere!

Lots of Cetacean activity. This is a long report due to lack of time to post yesterday. Any Volunteers to help out with compiling reports? Report includes Transient Bigg's Orca, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, Dall's and Harbour Porpoise and a Link in the News about a Humpback Whale collision with a boat. Reminder again to keep eyes open when on the water.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!


Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
May 18, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 19:
9:02 am Orca are Southbound past Brown's Bay right now.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 19:
10:10 am Leif left the 4 Orca mid channel in front of the marina Southbound going about 8 knots.
Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 19:
12:18 pm 4 Orca a mile off shore parallel of Saratoga (south of Campbell River) heading South.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 18:
8:50 am Orca off the fishing hump by Wilbey shoals – Cape Mudge Northbound. Two big bulls for sure, maybe more.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 18:
11:25 am Orca now right outside of Discovery Marina, Campbell River.
12:05 pm Orca just passed Painter's Lodge.
Radio

May 18:
2:24 pm 4 Orca total 1/2 mile back from Brown's Bay. Includes T63 (Chainsaw) and the T65's.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 18:
4:38 pm Picked up the 4 Orca again on the way back. They're still Northbound by Chatham Point doing about 7 knots.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 17:
2:24 pm 5 – 6 Orca by Cortez Bay, between Hernando and Cortez Islands – 1 large, 1 medium and 2 smaller.
2:54 pm They headed through Baker Pass and are now by Marina Island.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 17:
2:40 pm 2 Orca not too far off the Hernando Dock.
Cam M.

May 17:
4:15 pm 4 Orca including T19B are still Northbound about 1/2 mile off the beach by Marina Island. Just leaving them in Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 16:
I was at the park at Grief point yesterday (May 16) at about 3 p.m. First I saw a BIG Orca, then 3 fins to the south west about mid channel, maybe porpoises, and then what I suspect was poor little seal, very very close to shore in front of me (maybe 150 ft. away), staying as low in the water as possible and every once in a while coming up for a breath of air, the tip of its nose barely out of the water. It worked its way toward Beach Gardens, and hopefully found its way to safety among the boats anchored there. Two pairs of smaller smaller orcas, maybe 5 minutes apart, followed. In mid channel there were two boats, one big zodiac and an aluminum boat which I wondered, was that one yours? (No, I was too busy to get out on the water – SM) I hope the seal is still alive. Quite a drama.
Jack McGuire, Powell River

May 16:
We saw T 63, affectionately called Chainsaw among us around Victoria. ;-)
He was seen traveling with the T 65's , three of them on May 16th, 2013 at 2pm, heading along the shoreline of Saturna Island in Boundary Pass.
Marie O'shaughnessy ' Orca-Magic '

Transient Bigg's T063 'Chainsaw'
May 16, 2013
Marie O'shaughnessy ' Orca-Magic '

May 16:
5:11 pm 4 or 5 Orca have been in and Greensea Bay, above Campbell River around 45 minutes. They're headed to Elk Bay now.
Tug Yuculta

May 16:
5:30 pm At least 3 Orca out from ferry terminal in Powell River. Noticed that the sea lions had been barking a lot and suddenly stopped when the Orca came closer.
Leah Stewart, Powell River

May 16:
5:40 pm After Leah's call, I finally saw 5 Orca when they came out from behind a tree that has grown a bit too tall from my vantage point. There were 1 or possibly 2 big males. Looks like they're VERY slowly Northbound.
7:32 pm These 6 Orca by Powell River are taking their time. They're just now half way between Harwood Spit and Atrevida Reef, still Northbound.
8:30 pm (time approx) last blows reflecting in the sunset angling towards Mace Point or Mystery Reef, Savary Island.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 16:
6 pm 4 Orca Southbound by Brown's Bay, Campbell River area.
Radio

May 16:
6:19 pm 6 or possibly more Orca just off the Harwood (Powell River) spit. There's definitely, at least, 1 Male and 1 Juvenile. They've been rolling around and lots of tail slaps.
Steve Grover, Powell River

Pacific White Sided Dolphins
May 17, 2013
Steve Grover, Powell River

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 19:
10:18 am large group of PWS Dolphins at McMullen Point, Seymour Narrows.
Radio

May 18:
12:55 pm Scattered PWS Dolphins reportedly in Ramsay Arm, lower Toba Inlet area.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

May 18:
7:50 pm 4 Dolphins right in Finn Bay, off Lund.
Gordie Coles, Sevilla / Savary Island

May 17:
Hi, this is Robin on the Lora Jan. At about 5:50 am we saw a large number of pacific white sides dolphins about 5 minutes straight out of the Westview harbour. I would estimate there being around 100 and they were travelling north.
Robin, FV Lora Jan

May 17:
There were 2 small groups of dolphins this morning at 7:55 swimming through Lang Bay. I hear there were dolphins at Grief Point before noon today. I saw some funny activity yesterday about the same time, wasn’t sure what it was but in the end, I think it was fish about 18 inches jumping in a tight group. I kept watching to see if there were a seal, sea lion or dolphin chasing them up but didn’t see anything right then. A seal did swim by quite a bit later.
Michael Stewart, Powell River South

May 17:
9:52 am between 100-150 PWS Dolphins foraging off the Westview, Powell River ferry terminal. They all grouped up and looked very undecided as to direction (based on the Orca reports above; little wonder)
11:03 am They would fast forage and turn to feed on the fish they chased staying for many hours right out in front. Darn, no time to go out with them!
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 17:
11 am About 100 Dolphins in mouth of Bute Inlet.
Jos, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 17:
11 am 100+ PWS Dolphins just out in front of Westview, leaping and running back and forth.
2 pm I've been watching those Pacific White-sided dolphins for about 3 hours now and followed them down past the Beach Gardens just before noon. It was raining so hard I didn't even get the camera out. They headed back north at that point and by the time I got home and ate lunch I could see them again so I went back out and got a few shots from the shore. Image 4 has some sea lions heading out to join the pod for some lunch. A friend of mine and I watched from the safety of my dining room with the spotting scope around 11:00 am and saw a lot of jumps and a very impressive high speed run of the whole pod. Christa was pretty excited to see these beautiful animals putting on a show. Must be a lot of food around for them to stay here so long.
Steve Grover, Powell River

May 17:
Somewhere around 150 or so Southbound towards Grief Point...........Friday May 17th, 11:30 And now they are Northbound, from the foot of Penticton..........I think they lost their map. May 17, 12:30
Grant Rainsley, Powell River
May 17:
1 pm Large group of Dolphins just out in front of Powell River leaping all over the place.
Stan Tupper, Powell River

May 17:
1:53 pm Just watched a pod of PWS Dolphins that were quite spread out and moving quickly south from Westview Terminal. It looked like a pod of about 50 all in with the stragglers.... Hardly breaking the surface.
Lindalu Forseth, Powell River

May 17:
2:13 pm 150 PWS Dolphins milling about and really spread out wide by Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 16:
11:45 am Just got a quick glimpse of about 10 dolphins just off Pebble Beach near Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. I guess they were feeding as they suddenly
charged about and dived, then came up slowly and charged around and dived
again. They were heading north in a hurry. Sorry, not much of a photo, but
best I could do.
Holly Roy, Powell River South

May 16:
2:12 pm 6 to 8 PWS Dolphins by Cooper Point in Okisollo Channel Southbound towards either Beazley Pass or Hole in the Wall.
2:47 pm 50 to 80 PWS Dolphins in Bute Inlet by Lawrence Point.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 16:
4 pm Just left the 60 or so PWS Dolphins milling at Henrietta Point in Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 16:
5:36 pm Big group of PWS Dolphins in Bute according to folks here. Didn't see myself.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

Pacific White Sided Dolphins
May 16, 2013
Holly Roy, Powell River South

Dall's and Harbour Porpoise

May 18:
6 Dall's Porpoise bow riding by Jimmy Judd Island in Gillard Pass.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 16:
1:48 pm 3-4 Harbour Porpoise by Greensea Bay, just above Campbell River. They disappeared pretty quickly. (This is usual for these small usually boat-shy Porpoise – SM)
Mario, Campbell River Whale Watching

Branded Sea Lion

May 17:
During our tour around Mitlenatch Island we saw two Steller sea lions with brands. One Steller Sea Lion has 952R branded – photo submitted – the other was lying on the branded side so couldn't see the number.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

I asked Jos, Eagle Eye Adventures when he was out by Mitlenatch to see if he could see the other number – it was 693R. Photo was to follow.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 18:
Dead Sea Lion with no obvious signs of trauma at Horn Point.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Links in the News


Canadian whale watching guidelines details click here or go to the Links Page on the main Web site.


Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise? Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report. Every sighting report is valuable!

The official governing society of Whales and Dolphins BC is Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Transient Super Pod is Back! A few Dolphins and Porpoise Too

WOW – Super Pod of Transient Bigg's Killer Whales back in the Powell River Sunshine Coast area! First only a few were seen, then their numbers kept increasing... They headed down towards Jervis Inlet or maybe as far down as Sechelt, so please remember to report your sightings. Some others even popped up by Big Bay/Sonora Lodge area. Pacific White Sided Dolphins and a couple of Harbour Porpoise complete today's report.
This is also a good time to remind boaters of the Canadian whale watching guidelines. For details click here or go to the Links Page on the main Web site.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

Big Spy Hop from a Transient Bigg's Orca T19B
May 15, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

May 15:
7:54 am 4 Orca Southbound by Lund.
Gordie Coles, Lund/Savary Island

May 15:
10 am I kept an eye out in front of Powell River and all the way up towards Lund, waiting for the Orca to show up. Then I spotted some animals, but couldn't tell for sure if they were Orca heading North-West towards Vivian Island. They must have come up by Texada.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 15:
11:13 am 7 to 8 Orca on the South-West side of Savary Island chowing down.
11:18 am There's another group so more Orca – haven't seen that many together around here before.
11:54 am One group had 9 Orca, another had 4 Orca, another had 5 Orca and another had two or three and there may have been more.
Dee Ingraham, Savary Island

May 15:
11:28 am 4 groups of Orca there's at least 20 whales! Just out in front of our place (SW side of Savary). Some are heading towards Harwood and some angling towards Grant's Reef.
Lesley Roberts, Savary Island

Transient Bigg's T02C and her calf T02C3
May 15, 2013
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 15:
2:30 pm Garry just found the Orca still heading South approximately 1 nautical mile North of Grief Point...right in front of Powell River. Wow is T02C1 ever getting big! What a trip this afternoon! Over to Malaspina Strait area, Grief Point for a large gang of Transients. I believe we had the 002C's, 18-19's, 63, 100's, 101's 102, 123's and possibly more!
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 15:
2:51 pm 2 pods of whales off Grief Point, Powell River - one pod has about 7 whales in it.
Joanne Brough, Powell River
May 15:
3:29 pm 25 Orca Southbound by Myrtle Rocks, South Powell River. There's 2 big groups mid-channel T101's, 102's, T123's, T063 (Chainsaw), T19B and gang. Some headed closer to Texada and T19B was closer to Myrtle Rocks earlier. There were between 25 and 30 of them!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

Transient Bigg's KW T063 aka 'Chainsaw'
May 15, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

Unidentified Orca – Assumed Transient Bigg's

May 15:
2:45 pm 2-4 Killer Whales heading North up Lewis Channel (not far up from Lund). From brother-in-law on tug. They're everywhere!
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

May 15:
7:30 pm 6 Orca including 2 calves Northbound by Sonora Lodge. Did not see them myself.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 15:
11:45 am Large group of PWS Dolphins, guessing around 100, at the mouth of Raza Passage, just above Desolation Sound. There was also a similar group in lower Bute yesterday (May 14) evening.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Resort

May 14:
4 pm 150 PWS Dolphins by Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet. They're just milling back and forth.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

Pacific White Sided Dolphin
May 14, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

Harbour Porpoise

May 14:
2:30 pm 2 Harbour Porpoise foraging in Nodales Channel as we went through.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours


Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise? Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report. Every sighting report is valuable!

The official governing society of Whales and Dolphins BC is Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOW)

Saturday, May 11, 2013

More Transient Bigg's Orca, Dolphins and Porpoise

Appearing / disappearing Orca again, but a few were seen again. Confirmed were the T18/19B's and T23's from today. We still have some Orca in the area, even if the larger group went South the other day. Keep your eyes open. People were looking and yet managed to miss a few, even though they were right in front of their location. They are stealthy sometimes. We also have some Pacific White Sided Dolphins, a few Dall's and Harbour Porpoise managing to evade Orca. Also some Links that were missed earlier this month showing some pretty neat video of Orca surfing in the wake of a boat. This is not as unusual as you might think, but very special to capture it on video.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

Transient Bigg's Orca T18
May 11, 2013
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale & Bear Excursions

May 11:
11:35 am Orca in Seymour Narrows Southbound towards Campbell River. No numbers yet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 11:
1:30 pm Another 6 Orca by Harding Island in Nodales Channel just milling.
Boat: Nightdrifter

May 11:
2 pm We were the last to leave the Orca we first pickup off Campbell River. We left them by Willow Point heading South at a fast pace.
Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 11:
2:53 pm After leaving the first group of Orca picking up the pace Southbound close to Willow Point, we headed up Nodales Channel and found the 6 Orca by Davis Point still milling about. Didn't stay long with them, but on the way back down found them again, now headed East up the inlet at Sonora Point. Left them again at 4 pm.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Jurneys

May 11:
Here are a couple pics from our first official trip of the season. We spent approx 1 hr with T018 and T019-19B-19C, as they made there way south with the flood tide. Nice to see this gang, first time this year for us!
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale & Bear Excursions

Transient Bigg's Orca T23's
May 11, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 10:
10:40 am 7 to 10 Orca cruising from Grant's Reef to Mystery Reef off Savary Island. There's 2 Large males and a small one headed SE towards Atrevida Reef or Powell River. 11:34 am they turned North up towards Dinner Rock and Lund close to the Mainland side – now headed out of sight. Stayed down a long time after DFO boat ran up on them.
John Treen, Savary Island

May 10:
11:45 am 4 or 5 Orca passed Lund and Sevilla Island heading towards the Raggeds (local name for the Copeland Islands). There was one large male for sure and a calf in the group. Looked like they headed up Thulin Passage.
Gord Chouinard, Lund Seaside Inn

May 9:
I got an exciting gift at the end of my birthday yesterday, May 9th, siting a pod of Orcas. We had just crested the hill at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo around 8:00 pm when a considerate man brought attention to a distant pod of active Orcas. They were quite busy, breaching,splashing and diving in the Salish Sea, not close enough to count accurately but it looked like perhaps five. This is only the second siting for us in a 17 months of living in Nanaimo and both sitings have been from Neck Point Park. It was a magical evening with a totally calm ocean surface, the setting sun tinging all pinks and purples and mist rising on the horizon.
Sonja Billard, Nanaimo (Happy belated Birthday Sonja!)

May 8:
Bill and I returned to Powell River on the 4:30 p.m. ferry to Saltery Bay Wednesday. There was a pod of whales, maybe 4, one of which was a male just outside of the ferry terminal. We have not seen any whales on our side of the island since we got here a month ago.
Bill & Dee Ingraham, Savary Island

May 6:
10:20 am 4 Orca at the entrance to Blind Bay (Nelson Island). There were 2 adults and 2 small ones near Fox Island.
SV Clio, relayed through Powell River Harbour

Transient Bigg's Orca T23's
May 11, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 10:
12:45 pm Around 15 to 20 Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging in front of Powell River. I had popped out to find the Orca reported above, but when they turned North, I realized there was no point in attempting to find them. I had dropped the hydrophone in case I could hear them, but only heard some dolphins chatter with the boat noises, so kept scanning and finally found them right outside the harbour! They wake rode a very short time, and continued to forage – there have been a fair number of herring in the area.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Harbour Porpoise

May 11:
2 pm 4 to 5 Harbour Porpoise looking relieved that the Orca had missed them by Willow Point, south of Campbell River.
Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

Dall's Porpoise

May 9:
Yesterday, (May 9) we saw a couple of Dall's porpoises coming and going between Indian Point and Lund.
Bill & Dee Ingraham, Savary Island

Links in the News

Orca Surfing



Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise? Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report. Every sighting report is valuable!

The official governing society of Whales and Dolphins BC is Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOW)

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, Humpback Whale, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Harbour Porpoise

And poof, they disappeared - again! This report covers: Transient Bigg's Orca in large, super pod numbers (for them), made an appearance in the San Juan's together and a few others trailing the rest of the group disappearing in the wind driven waves; a lone Humpback in the upper Strait, who also seems to have disappeared; a few Pacific White Sided Dolphins who hid beneath a large swarm of seagulls feeding on presumed balls of herring; and a few Harbour Porpoise, who always disappear since they are usually very shy. It's been an appearing / disappearing sort of few days. It's hard to imagine these very large animals just disappearing, but as I always say, “It's a big ocean out there.”
Links in the News below reports.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!


Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

Transient Bigg's Orca
May 2, 2013
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Prince of Whales. Victoria BC

May 9:
Sounds like the big group of Orca we had here, went South. T63 'Chainsaw', T101's, T123's T02C's, and others were in the San Juan's.
Mellisa Pinnow relay through Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 8:
9:35 am 5 to 6 Orca tight up against Rebecca Rocks, in front of Powell River. It looked like they took a seal off the rocks and were in feeding mode. I quickly headed out to see about some identification photos, but being down on the water with a lumpy sea and wind, I couldn't locate them.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 7:
4:30 pm 3 to 5 Orca Southbound past Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Anonymous

May 6/7:
Yesterday (May 6) I found T020 & T021 northbound off Porlier Pass, Galiano Island. Today (May 7) there is a group of 7 Transients in the same place. I know T020 & T021 are there plus 5 others, it sounds like the T124A's to me..."
Simon Piddock, Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching

May 5: (rec'd May 8)
around 10:00 am 3 to 4 adults and 2 small calves (1 tiny) into west Blind Bay, (Nelson Island, entrance to Jervis Inlet) frolicked for half hour and left north toward Powell River.
Becky

Humpback Whale
May 6, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Humpback Whale

May 6:
1:32 pm Small Humpback Whale headed South close to Plumper Bay by Campbell River. Last spotted close to Deepwater Water, still in Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 8:
12:30 pm 12 Pacific White Sided Dolphins were being quite playful from Hall Point to Phillips Arm.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 8:
Day: 50 or so PWS Dolphins were in Bute Inlet by Clipper Point. Second hand report.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 7: (late report)
Early afternoon, around 20 or so Pacific White Sided Dolphins were feeding with a huge bunch of gulls just off the Powell River Mill.
Prawn vessel, Laura Jan, Powell River

Harbour Porpoise

May 9:
10:25 am Harbour Porpoise spotted between April Point and Quathiaski Cove headed South in Discovery Passage.
Radio

May 5:
am a couple of Harbour Porpoise cruised by us fishing off Harwood Island.
Mike Filewich, Powell River

Humpback Whale
May 6, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Links in the News

Orca vs Sperm Whales:

Hawaiian Fishermen want humpback whales off endangered list.

ICELAND plans to resume its disputed commercial fin whale hunt in June with a quota of at least 154 whales.


Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise? Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report. Every sighting report is valuable!

The official governing society of Whales and Dolphins BC is Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOW)