Have You Seen Any of These?
Showing posts with label denman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label denman. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Fewer than usual Cetacean Sightings - But all Sightings are Good!

Short report today. The few Sightings reports include Orca, possible Humpback or Minke Whale and some Porpoise. There are a few links showing some Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Transient Bigg's Killer Whales in close proximity as well as Bryde's Whales and Basking Sharks. Lynne Cracknell is back in town, on stream and ready to type all your 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

Humpback Whale
2013
Susan MacKay, SG Images

TRANSIENT BIGG'S KILLER WHALES
(assumed Transient Bigg's)

November 20:
6:20 pm With the radio on still as I finalize the Sightings Report, I suddenly hear that there are some Orca somewhere off of Denman / Hornby Island. The people talking were hoping that they'd take a sea lion or two. It's assumed that these are commercial fishermen.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

November 18:
3:15 pm 3 Orcas with small fins sighted moving southbound by Davis Bay in Sechelt. Someone else said they had seen a big dorsal. There were lots of seals around at the time. The Orca we saw were a couple hundred yards off shore.
Danny Bakan, Roberts Creek, Sunshine Coast.

November 12:
5:00 pm There are several Orca northbound in front of the Campbell River Ferry Terminal. I saw four of them; there was one male and then three smaller fins. I just saw them surface once but it was getting dark. Don't know if there were any more.
Laura, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

September 12 (rec'd Nov):
I saw these whales (see photo) while sitting on the Rebecca Spit on Quadra Island on Sept 12th. Can you tell me anything about them? Thanks. (These Orca tie in with the Transient Bigg's that were reported at that time - SM)
Linnea Hansen
Orca off Quadra Island
Sept 12, 2013
Linnea Hansen

POSSIBLE HUMPBACK OR MINKE WHALE

November 13:
8:09 am Possible Humpback or might be a Minke whale northbound from Myrtle Rocks.
8:09 am, so too early to call you. Just been watching a lone orca slowly going up past Myrtle Rocks towards Beach Gardens. I wasn’t sure it was an orca as it has such a small curved fin, but it is much bigger than a dolphin. It’s definitely not the same Humpback from the other day; for sure. Hope you can see it shortly.
Holly Roy, Powell River

8:45 am Humpback or Minke Whale just passed by Powell River. Looked like it could be a Humpback, but can't rule out Minke Whale. It surfaced a couple of times and was definitely quickly on the move Northbound. Kept looking, but didn't see it again.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

November 13:
8:45 am Large, lone whale just south of the Powell River ferry terminal. It may be Crescent BCX1258? (without confirmation, it is very difficult to tell which whale it might be - SM)
Shirley Randall, Powell River

November 10:
11:30 am Possible Humpback whale southbound in Grenville Channel. That's located in the Inside Passage just south of Prince Rupert. When the captain of the ferry announced there was a whale off the starboard side, everyone went to look. It had a huge blow and a small dorsal.
Cameron Brant, Morristown, BC

DALL'S or HARBOUR PORPOISE

November 12:
I travel by boat from Fishermans Cove in West Vancouver to Gambier Island daily and quite often see dolphins right off Whytecliff Park. I saw 3 small black or dark grey ones today. I quite often see the larger pods of Pacific White Sided dolphins in Howe Sound between Bowen Island and Gambier Island, but these ones seem quite a bit smaller and have a smaller dorsal fin. They don’t come very high out of the water either and therefor are very difficult to get a good look at. I love seeing the dolphins and so am always scanning my eyes across the water in hope to see them. I am very curious as what the type of dolphins are that I am seeing by Whytecliff. I’ve seen them 3 out of the last 6 working days while passing through. Your help would be much appreciated. Thanks. (Based on the description, they could have been Dall's or Harbour Porpoise. There is information available to help identify them on the Whales and Dolphins BC main website - SM)
Earl Paxton, West Vancouver

Dall's Porpoise
2013
Susan MacKay, SG Images

LINKS

Rare new Sighting of Basking Shark off Brooks Peninsula on the west coast of Vancouver Island:

Dolphins and Transient Orcas - November 10, 2013 just below Victoria, BC:

80-year-old SRKW Orca 'Speiden' missing, presumed dead:

Bodies of gray whales wash ashore on Russian coast:

Genetics Used To Sort Out Poorly Known Bryde's Whale:


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

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
at
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Monday, June 17, 2013

Orcastravaganza! Speeding Orcas get top billing.

Orcastravaganza! Transient Bigg's Killer Whales certainly reappeared in numbers; although the ones that went Vancouver's Burrard Inlet did not come back up this way, many others appeared in the upper Georgia Strait. Humpback Whales, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, Dall's and Harbour Porpoise round out the sightings, while there are a few links of interest after the 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

Young Orca Breach
June 17, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

June 17:
10:46 am 3 Small fin Orca at Breton Islands, just off Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island Southbound.
Found larger groups in afternoon and left them at 3:52 pm heading for Lund. 3 Orca from the group split off and going on the West side of Hernando Island Southbound.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

June 17:
12:45 pm A couple of groups of Orca including T19B in one group of 7-8 Orca. The T19B group are angling towards Marina Island from Quadra while another group of Orca are farther up by Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island.
12:49 pm Another 4 Orca angling towards Marina Island now so probably 12 Orca at least.
1pm They're Southbound running 1 nautical mile off the North end of Marina Island shoreline.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

June 17:
3:10 pm 2 or 3 groups of Orca worked their way down Marina Island towards Baker Pass and Hernando Island.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

June 17:
4:52 pm Orca heading for Kinghorn Island from friend.
5:15 pm Found 5 Orca, T18's/19B between Sarah Point, above Lund and Squirrel Cove, Cortez Island. Heading up Lewis Channel.
6:14 pm 3 more Orca just showed up – we're almost to Teakerne Arm. So the count is up to 8 Orca.
7:14 pm 2 more Orca just came smoking in!! They came from below us somewhere. So total is now 9 or 10 Orca. We're leaving them now at Bullock Bluff, the top of Lewis Channel. Don't know which way they'll turn.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

June 16:
7:45 am 5 to 6 Orca heading South at the fishing Hump off Cape Mudge.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

June 16:
10:57 am 3 Orca – one very large male out in front of the Powell River Harbour.
Elizabeth Tenhoeve, Powell River

Transient Bigg's On the Move
June 16, 2013
Susan MacKay, SG Images

June 16:
10:48 am Orca Northbound in front of Powell River! Grabbed camera and gear and out the door (after answering Elizabeth's called in report above). As we, Elizabeth came with me, headed out of the harbour, we spotted T020 the big male first, just off the Powell River Mill. There were 10-12 Orca spread out and later ID's proved to include the T077's. They took their time slowly picking up the pace once they were on the South side shoals of Savary Island. The call from Dee (report below) came in just as the whales we were with started to pick up the pace. A number of whale watching boats from Campbell River came down to check out the whales and while one headed back towards Campbell River came upon yet another group of Orca (report below). All the Orca met up and turned South speeding up as they went.
3:10 pm Around 22+ Orca sped Southwest past Harwood and Vivian Islands towards Denman and Hornby Islands. They were running about 10-12 knots, so actual counts were difficult, even with photos as they seemed to just keep coming and popping up as they porpoised along.
3 pm Noticed that T020 was continuing Northbound up the mainland shore towards Lund, well away from the rest of the whales. I didn't notice any others with him.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

June 16:
11:18 am There is a pod of Orcas heading south east, should be around the top end of Grants Reef (between Savary and Vivian Islands) about now. We never got close but in the binoculars we could see them breaching, doesn't look like a huge pod, maybe 5-10. Hope they continue south and I see them on the way home!
Robin Buckley, Prawn boat; Lora Jan
June 16:
1:16 pm 5 – 6 Orca are breaching and tail lobs right in front of our place! The little one did some head stands that looked like he/she was figuring out that the tail needs to be below the water to swim. It looked like they were having a great time.
Dee Ingraham, Savary Island

June 16:
2:01 pm Another large group of active Orca close to Sentry Shoal – breaching.
Shaun, Discovery Marine Safaris
June 16:
3:10 pm T020 was still Northbound on the East side of Savary Island. He picked up the pace to 6-7 knots by Lund where we left him still alone at 4:38 pm.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

June 16:
Around 7 pm 3 Orca - T020, T021 and T077A just off Teakerne Arm in Lewis Channel. Left them around 9 pm still Westbound up Lewis Channel. Sleepy travel with some searching, but no kills.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

June 15:
Our dream came true today. When travelling to Narrows Inlet this morning, we saw Killer Whales in Sechelt Inlet, south of Storm Bay around 10 am, and then on our return journey around 1 pm they were on the west side of the inlet across from Tuwanek. It was wonderful! I never thought we would get to see them in Sechelt Inlet. We videotaped them and have sent it on to youtube (see link below). They may be the same group that was spotted near Stanley Park yesterday? (How exciting for you!! These were the same Orca I had in front of Powell River in the last report, and no, these ones did not go to Vancouver. Did you see them head out the inlet? - SM)
Joan Bech, Roberts Creek

June 15:
4 pm Fishing Guide reports he saw 7 Orca Westbound from Sutil Island towards the Southern tip of Reid Island.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

June 15:
At 8:40 PM mother and calf orca and maybe another are 3km E of Grant Reefs (between Savary Island / Harwood)buoy and going SE. It is too far for me to see much detail.
Ron Johnston, Savary Island

June 10 (rec'd June 15):
Evening I subscribe to your web site and was one of the lucky people out fishing near Lund when the whales came through. I had my canon rebel with zoom lens and took a lot of pics of them. I have good shots of the male who swam with a female always by his side, a ways beside them was, I believe 3-4 females and a younger one and then a real baby. I was so busy taking photos that I never really counted them. We followed them for three hours all the way to Atrevida reef. At one point when they passed Savary Island another pod I think with 3 for sure a male and a female and not sure if the other was smaller, they all came together and then travelled down the coast towards Powell River in two groups. I have lived here for over 50 years and always was on the coast or water in a boat, and I have never seen a performance of such happy whales. So I was just wondering if anyone has identified this group and if I showed you a close up of the male and his saddle would you be able to tell what group they are? (see Photo) This was Monday evening June 10 2013
Dymph Vander Maeden, Lund

T020 and Breaching Calf
June 10, 2013
Dymph Vander Maeden, Lund

Humpback Whales

June 17:
9:20 am Humpback Whale just off Cape Mudge, not sure which direction he/she is heading.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

June 17:
10:18 am Humpback Whale right in front of Big Rock in Campbell River; Northbound.
Geord, Discovery Marine Safaris

June 17:
11:50 am Humpback Whale about half a mile off the beach off the Cape Mudge Village was Northbound towards Seymour Narrows.
12:05 pm Left the medium sized Humpback just above Quathiaski Cove slowly Northbound.
10:47 am got a Facebook message from a friend in Toba Inlet that there are Humpbacks and Porpoise in the inlet today.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

June 17:
3:43 pm Humpback Southbound by Browns Bay above Campbell River.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

June 17:
4:20 pm Humpback by McMullen Point Westbound towards Chatham Point.
Steve, FV Sleepwalker relayed through Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

June 16:
10:30 am No confirmation, but 2 Humpbacks reported West of the fishing hump off Cape Mudge – heading North.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

June 15:
9 to 9:30 pm Observed Humpback whale heading west; 1 km out from Douglas Bay (Brew Bay South of Powell River).
Bob and Laura Johnson, Powell River

Humpback Whale
June 17, 2013
Garry

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

June 17:
no time given. 6 PWS Dolphins by Seymour Narrows.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures

June 17:
5:15 pm Dolphins by Hole in the Wall, Sonora Island.
5:50 pm Playful PWS Dolphins by Chatham Point Lightstation.
Radio

June 16:
11:50 am 20+ PWS Dolphins by Hall Point in Nodales Channel.
Radio

June 16:
6:19 pm 20 PWS Dolphins by Deepwater Bay, Campbell River area.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

June 15:
12:32 pm 25 PWS Dolphins just milling about in Brown's Bay, North of Campbell River. Just left them.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

June 15:
2:50 pm 20 PWS Dolphins Brown's Bay milling and foraging – no direction.
Mark, Discovery Marine Safaris

Dall's and Harbour Porpoise

June 17:
5:50 pm Some Dall's Porpoise by Chatham Point Lightstation.
Radio

June 16:
Time: One little Harbour Porpoise just off Mystery Reef Northbound getting away from the Orca.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC


Links

Orca in Sechelt Inlet June 15 from Joan Bech:

Some photograph work by Bryant Austin on underwater shots of whales.

9 Types of Dolphins You Didn’t Even Know Existed:

Orca (T86's and T101's) in Vancouver Harbour June 14:
BCTV:

CBC:

Global BC:

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)
at
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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)
at
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Saturday, March 16, 2013

The Winner is....

Short post - with the link to the video clip of the draw. Congratulations to Graham Blake of Denman Island!


Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
at
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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Bigg's Killer Whales, Herring and Links in the News

With the herring spawn started, it was only a matter of time before we started to see some Cetaceans close by. Great 'spawn' report below. Lots of chatter on the radio about it too. The Orca, some unidentified, finally did make their presence known. Also a couple of links in the news.

10 days left to enter the Draw
Draw to be held in Powell River March 16, 2013
All contributions till midnight March 15, 2013 are being entered in the draw.
The winner of the cruise for two can transfer their winning to another party, should they wish. 
Good luck to all!

Although Beazley the cat would love to draw the name, it was decided that he'd probably either pull more than one name, or not pull a name at all. So, we have a young, non-contributor from out of town coming to pull the name. There will be photos and, barring technical difficulties, a video clip of the draw.

Society, budgets, and official charity status are all being worked on. It's time consuming work to produce all official and legal documents. This has caused the delay in reports being posted and responses to emails. There have also been glitches with Facebook postings. Please bear with me and continue to pass on sightings; they are all important. The web site and domain name has just been renewed for three more years. Thank you!
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
April Point – Campbell River
March 5, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

March 5:
4:50 pm T18/T19/T19B and the rest of the gang are by Walcan, Campbell River still Northbound. left them at Brown's Bay still Northbound at 5:30 pm. They did a cool, over 10 minute dive, at slack tide on Ripple Rock. Never seen that before....
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Watching

March 5:
4:25 pm 4 Orca Northbound by April point across from Campbell River. Nick found them and said they're T18/T19's. These are the best photos I got today. They were far away. Thank god for my zoom lol
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
April Point – Campbell River
March 5, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Unidentified Orca

March 4:
8:33 am Hi Susan ... there are some Orcas reported off of Harmac (Nanaimo) right now ..I'm at work there and I have a camera so I'll see if I can get a shot of them.
Derek Crook

February 25 (Rec'd Feb 28)
I got a note yesterday from one of my friends at the Bay. (Brown's Bay, just NW of Campbell River) She woke up to a Pod of Orca some morning this week in the Bay...So they are not all in the strait... Think it was Monday.
Jacquie Nevinger, via Florida

Herring Spawn

March 5:
In the meantime, a Denman "sighting", if you will. Not whales sadly, but the herring spawn began this week on March 3. A sure sign of spring around these parts. Here are a few photos. Feel free to share one or all or none wherever you wish. Hope to get some more wildlife instead of just fishing fleet shots before the spawn is over. The sea lions, seals, eagles, and sea birds come in droves for this event. Unfortunately they weren't in the immediate vicinity of the fleet when I was out with my camera. I honestly wonder why the herring spawn doesn't bring in the Biggs. It is a sea mammal buffet.
Graham Blake, Denman Island

Herring Fisheries off Denman Island
March 3, 2013
Graham Blake, Denman Island

Additional information heard through radio chatter is that there have been huge schools of herring in Comox harbour, Qualicum, and mostly over on the Vancouver Island side of Georgia Strait.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Links in the News

Marine Protected Areas and Protecting our oceans: On February 5, 2013, the federal government’s environmental watchdog released a report suggesting that Canada has a long way to go to protect our coastal ecosystems and oceans. Canada has only protected one per cent of our oceans, while Australia and the United States are well on their way to meeting ocean conservation goals (at 40 and eight per cent respectively). Video clip and more on the David Suzuki Foundation website at: http://action2.davidsuzuki.org/spend-a-little-save-a-lot

The longest of the video clips of Orca, sea lions and surfers in close to shore off the West Coast of Vancouver Island. There were reports on the news that these Orca were hunting the sea lions, but I have yet to see sea lions swimming towards and with Transient Bigg's Killer Whales..... They usually get as far away and as high up onto rocks as they can when T's are in the neighbourhood and on the hunt. They all, except for the surfers, appear to be chasing herring close in to shore. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOtntDW0KnM

The Countdown is on:
Whales and Dolphins BC needs your support through sightings information, volunteering, and financial contributions to ensure continued growth and web presence. To assist with fund raising, there will be a Random Draw for a 4 day, 3 night Cruise for Two! Every $5 worth of Donation enters your name for the draw. Support and you could win this cruise! Draw date: March 16, 2013

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Thanks to those who have contributed already – Good Luck!

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Monday, January 14, 2013

Orca Sightings, News Links, Photos

Northern Resident Orca with calf still around Powell River to Stuart Island, while Transient (Bigg's) Killer whales are spotted by Nanaimo. Bit of fog is making scanning waters a bit difficult, but for those walking beaches in the fog, stop to listen, you might be surprised by hearing a blow.
A few links in the news at the bottom of today's report.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Northern Resident Killer Whales
(most likely)

Underwater Orca glides by boat
January 12, 2013
Cheryl Borgfjord

January 12:
4 pm 5 Orca two large with a small calf in between and two other were right close in to shore. A neighbour alerted me after he heard their blows. They were slowly heading North-West from Savary's SW shore. (This is unconfirmed A8's - SM)
Lesley Roberts, Savary Island

January 12:
My husband, son, uncle and myself I were out on our boat today and saw what I think is the newborn orca that was born in Powell River. We were going along the front side of Harwood Island towards the Spit, then turned around to follow them. I was able to take some photos. What an experience. One went on his side and swam right alongside our boat...There were 5 in total. When we left them, they were headed between Harwood and Texada. We went back around the back side and on our way back to the Beach Gardens, and they were swimming around Vivian Island. (This is unconfirmed A8's - SM)
Cheryl Borgfjord, Powell River

January 10:
A8's were reported by Stuart Island at some point during the day.
Leah, Hanson Island

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

Transients off Chrome Island Lightstation
January 1, 2013
Anne Baker

January 13:
4 pm Transient Orcas spotted 15 minutes from our office. Just off Saltspring Island. Sounds like possibly the same group from yesterday...
Simon Piddock

January 12:
10:30 am I was kayaking and spotted 4 orca's at Neck Point in Nanaimo. There were two larger ones and two small one's. I thought maybe two mom's with their young ones. A boater told me half an hour before I arrived on the scene they were tossing around a seal. The two big ones were leaping right out of the water several times in the 30 min that I was watching them.
Kathleen

January 1:
Here is my belated report on some orcas we spotted on January 1, 2013:
Time: around 4:10 p.m. Where: Between Denman and Hornby (Lambert Channel) on ferry (MV Kahloke) Number: 6 - 8 Direction: going from South to North Comments: we had a spyhop!
Mike Nestor
Transient (Bigg's) Tail Lob
January 1, 2013
Anne Baker

Links in the News:

Carl Petersen was found guilty of harassing whales see article:

Powell River Peak newspaper article January 9, 2013 about new Orca calf:

Video clip of close Orca underwater:


Whales and Dolphins BC needs your support through sightings information, volunteering, and financial contributions to ensure continued growth and web presence. To assist with fund raising, there will be a Random Draw for a 4 day, 3 night Cruise for Two! Every $5 worth of Donation enters your name for the draw. Support and you could win this cruise! Draw date: March 16, 2013

Thanks to those who have contributed already – Good Luck!
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Saturday, January 5, 2013

Multiple Pods of Orca in Upper Georgia Strait

There appear to be multiple pods of Killer Whales in the area. The differences in the reports coming in are difficult to sort out as to who is who and where. More Orca reports, both Transient (Bigg's) and Northern Resident sightings, even with some Dolphins. Spectacular photos taken in Lambert Channel, off Chrome Island Lightstation, of the New Year's Transients (Bigg's) punting a very large, heavy Steller sea lion. They weight around 2,000 pounds! Since we have a few groups of whales with calves, and sightings have varied in numbers and big male dorsals seen, the report below is blended with notations as to which are confirmed Resident vs. Transient (Bigg's).
Orca Calf Birth Notes: Northern Residents (NRKW) A8's: A42's calf was confirmed spotted on Dec. 25th off Grief Point, Powell River. On Dec. 20th the calf first spotted off Albion Point (Black Pt.) by Bill Taylor looked like it didn't have much of a dorsal fin at all. This would be typical for a newborn whose dorsal fin would be soft and bent over at birth.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC


 Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whale Punts Large Steller Sea Lion
January 1, 2013 by Denman / Hornby Island
Anne Baker, Powell River

Killer Whales – Orcinius Orca

January 4:
3:30 pm Call came in that someone posted a note on Facebook (I couldn't locate it nor see the whales – SM) that 2 Orca a female and calf were just passing Emmonds Beach by Atrevida Reef heading Northward towards Lund.
via Steve Grover, Powell River

January 3:
3:40 pm Friend at Donkersly Road, just past Albion (Black) Point saw 2 male Orca. (Timing-wise, this report would continue from below and there is only one big male in the A8's. Was this another pod? No confirmation – SM)
Michael Stewart, Powell River

January 3:
3 pm The 5 Northern Residents A8's with the new calf stopped to forage and continue very slowly Southward passing Albion Point (Black Pt.)
Bill Taylor, Powell River

January 3:
2 pm 2 large Orca, 2 appear to be juveniles following behind beside Myrtle Rocks heading towards Saltrey Bay. (These would be the 5 NRKWs A8's - SM)
Michael and Diane Dunn, Powell River

January 3:
Today at 1:50 pm we had a good sighting in calm waters off Myrtle Rocks in the Malaspina Strait. One very large orca with a tall, thin, pointed dorsal fin heading south, along with one small calf and another one, presumably it’s mother. Then some short way behind , another medium sized one. All taking long leisurely dives. As always, too far out from shore for any photos. (These would be the 5 NRKWs A8's - SM)
Holly Roy, Powell River

January 3:
12:29 pm 4 – 5 Orca off Westview just passing in front of Texada ferry. Saw a small calf with orange on it. (The 5 NRKWs A8's – SM)
George Belyer, Marine Traders store, Powell River

January 3:
12:20 pm Spotted Orca just off Willingdon Beach Southbound passing viewpoint, and Grief Point then Beach Gardens Marina. Confirmed all 5 of the NRKWs known as A8's. Watched from shore till around 1:35 pm joined by a few people.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

January 3:
9:30 am 3 – 4 Orca Southbound from Atrevida Reef towards Powell River. One big male and a small calf for sure. (These would be the NRKWs A8's - SM)
Grant Rainsley, Powell River

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whale Acrobatic Attack on Large Steller Sea Lion
January 1, 2013 by Denman / Hornby Island
Anne Baker, Powell River

January 2:
3 pm 5 Orca close to Coho Point, NW tip of Texada, heading between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island.
Ron & Anne Baker, Powell River

January 2 Notes:
I had left the A8's at 2:15 pm headed towards Coho Point, so the above whales assumed to be them. From photos received for ID's from Anne Baker, A66 is confirmed in the photo, but there appears to be another Orca in the photo that doesn't fit the A8's – will update when I confirm who. Could just be a weird angle.
Speaking with John Treen, who had given us the heads up on the A8's off Savary, he thought there were possibly 2 other Orca that headed towards Vivian while seeing us with the A8's..... curious.
Someone had said they had seen some Pacific White Sided Dolphins with Orca just off Savary Island – my apologies, but I cannot locate any specifics on the report other than it was stated.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins

January 1:
I just GOTTA share this....... (photo above) We just got back from 3 days boating (about 40 miles south west of Powell River.......... and we are still in massive AWE....... we happened to be in the perfect place at the right time...... We spied some major splashing about a kilometre away so we raced over to investigate........to find a pod of about 8 -10 (Transient (Bigg's) meat eating) Orcas that had segregated a large sealion and were in the process of overwhelming, confusing, exhausting, disorienting, pummelling, punting and finally drowning to have for dinner........we watched this for about an hour! in our boat (no one else around!) IT WAS AMAZING!! Sad of course for the sealion but that is nature in it's rawest - OMGawd! Words just don't do it justice..... we learned/witnessed how the sealion's safest place and hardest for the whales to get him was on the surface, and it could get it's breath easier there too (even tho we think of them as being good swimmers etc.). The strategy of the orcas by the time we got there was to pummel it and then leave it and swim away for a a couple of minutes and then come back at it again. Multiple times the orcas jumped fully out of the water, were totally circling the sea lion and causing surprisingly large waves........ We were surprised the process took as long and are unsure how long it was to the stage at which we arrived. The Big Daddy huge dorsal fin stayed out of the 'hunt' until the very end. The punt at the end made the sealion look featherweight but typically they are 1000 - 1500 lbs we believe. Then the water finally was eerily calm and the seagulls arrived to scavenge morsels on the surface (we couldn't see anything of uneaten pieces from our position - surprisingly clean/not obvious). Then after only about 2 minutes the orcas appeared again on the surface and then headed elsewhere........! We wonder how often in a day or ? this happens to feed that many orcas. They were totally unbothered by us. IT WAS SOOOO INCREDIBLE! We keep shaking our heads and reliving the video in our minds - WOW WOW WOW! There was also several small rock islands about a 1/2 mile behind us with about 200 sealions on it at the time of this event all yelling at the tops of their lungs! Not the usual sealion bark but all of them crying/ angry/complaining and hoping 'their family member' could survive the ordeal....
What an incredible gift - better than any New Year's Eve fireworks or t.v. show!!
Ron and Anne Baker, Powell River


Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whale and Last Sight of Large Steller Sea Lion
January 1, 2013 by Denman / Hornby Island
Anne Baker, Powell River

I am frequently asked why only three photos in a post. The RSS feed for emails is restricted to size and has, a few times previously, bumped the post due to it being too large. If the report is kept to three photos, it goes without problems. SM

Whales and Dolphins BC needs your support through sightings information, volunteering, and financial contributions to ensure continued growth and web presence. To assist with fund raising, there will be a Random Draw for a 4 day, 3 night Cruise for Two! Every $5 worth of Donation enters your name for the draw. Support and you could win this cruise! Draw date: March 16, 2013

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