Orca, Dolphins, Grey Whales and
Humpbacks. After my computer failure, I'm back on line with the
sightings reports over the past week. This new system is not quite
set up for the photo editing required to post, but I have managed to
include a few smaller ones that have been submitted. The Cetaceans are coming back
to our area!
Below this more current report, you'll
find the report that was about to be posted when my system totally
failed.
Susan
MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins BC
Humpback Whale Tail
Flukes – Mexico
Janice Parker
Grey
Whales
April 1:
5:30 pm 2 Grey Whales from
around 5pm. I thought I'd seen something, but every time I grabbed
the binoculars, I saw nothing or a couple of sea lions. Finally I
managed to catch one of the two whales lifting it's head high enough
as it blew and took a breath to see clearly that it was a Grey Whale.
The two were between Texada Island and Westview, Powell River
heading Northward. I last saw their blows heading NW towards
Vancouver Island around 6:45 pm. Unusual to see them on this side of
the strait.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Orca
– Killer Whales
April 1:
Orcas Northbound by Campbell
River at 6 pm. Apparently some at Menzies Bay, near Seymour
Narrows now. Not sure how many. I'll text you if I get a number
of Orca at Menzies. Not sure if we had 2 groups here or just one –
seems pretty quick for them to get to the Narrows in 1 hour.
Later info: Sounds like the number of
Orcas Northbound past Campbell River at 6pm was 4 to 6. Not
sure about Menzies Bay numbers yet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
April 2:
Sounds like there were between 10 to
15 Orca in Menzies Bay last night (April 1). Just milling about.
Lots of seals in there – unusual.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Note: Will post some of the Menzie
Bay Orca photos from Jack Springer, CR Whale Watching as soon as
possible. Susan
Humpback
Whales - Mexico
Been on a couple of whale watching
trips. These Humpback photos were taken just a couple of weeks ago.
The mommas were teaching the babies how to swim, getting ready to
head back north.
Janice Parker & Tom Howe
Janice Parker & Tom Howe
Humpback Whale Tail
Flukes – Mexico
Janice Parker
Humpback Whale Flipper
– Mexico
Janice Parker
Minke Whale - Mexico
Minke Whale - Mexico
Janice Parker
Delayed Report to March 31, 2012:
Hundreds
of Dolphins and Orca too!
After
so few sightings on the Mainland side of the Sunshine Coast, it was
great to hear of the Pacific White Sided Dolphins and then some Orca
by Powell River.
Susan
MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins BC
Pacific
White Sided Dolphins
March
30:
11:20
am a call came in that there were Hundreds
of fast moving Pacific White Sided Dolphins between
Black Point and Myrtle Rocks heading Northward towards Powell River.
The ocean was a massive foaming boil from their fast maneuvers. They
just seemed to disappear.
Bill
Taylor
Orca
– Probably Transients
March
30:
3:45
pm Three Orca
two large dorsals and one small one were very slowly moving Northward
right where the Dolphins (above) had been. They were doing long dives
and just taking their time.
Bill
Taylor
March
30:
Hi
Susan, Just spotted ( 4:10 pm ) about 8
orca of all sizes coming
north up the middle of the Malaspina Strait past Myrtle Rocks. They
were rolling and diving and tail slapping and one breach. Too far
away for a photo unfortunately. Regards,
Holly
Roy
Just
to let you all know, I had intermittently scanned the waters in front
of Powell River, as well as getting a few neigbours to scan also, and
no-one reported seeing the Dolphins or the Orca in front of Powell
River or towards Lund. There are reports of more Sea Lions moving
into the area, which would attract Transient Orca. Keep your eyes
open all – they're out there.
Susan
MacKay
2012
Charter Cruises
Enjoy a personalized week long
Charter Cruise in the pristine wilderness of the Great Bear
Rainforest. Information can be found on the 2012
Charter Cruises pages of Whales
and Dolphins BC.