What an exciting start to 2013! At
least two new Orca calves. Report of one for the Transient (Bigg's)
T036's and one for the Northern Resident A8's. Seeing such a tiny
calf is always exciting, and being able to photograph them is even
better. See the A8's Baby photos below. The orange tinge is typical
of newborns.
Other reports include a short video
clip of what appear to be Transient (Bigg's), a late report of
Dolphins and some interesting information on Gray Whales.
Susan MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins BC
NRKW A42 and New Calf
Baby Photo
January 2, 2013
Steve Grover, Powell
River
Northern
Resident Killer Whales
January 2:
10:45 am 3 or 4 Orca spotted half way
between the Mystery Reef Buoy (South-East side of Savary Island) and
the mainland. They spread out a couple of times, but working their
way South. There's 1 big male and one small calf. Later: Saw 5 Orca
for sure.
John Treen, Savary Island
January 2:
Around 11:30 am Thanks to John's call,
I found the 5 Orca, photo identified as the A8's, between Savary and
Harwood Islands. Definitely a new calf!! From there we came back
towards Powell River with the whales looking undecided if they wanted
to head towards the ferry terminal or towards Texada Island. Set the
hydrophone down a number of times, but they remained quiet
throughout. There was possibly a few echolocation clicks, but with
ferry and tug noise interfering maybe it was just boat noise. Had
they been vocalizing, we would have heard it. The pod stayed close
together for the most part, then separated to feed a bit before
carrying on towards the Blubber Bay light on Texada. After checking
the photos, I could confirm Male A66 born 1996, Female A42 born 1980,
Juvenile A79 born 2004, Juvenile A88 born 2008 and the newborn calf
which may be a New Year's Baby since it's so tiny. From the A8's, we
appear to be missing Female A28 born 1974...
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
NRKW A66's Dorsal dwarfs
Tiny New Calf
January 2, 2013
Susan MacKay, SG Images
Transient
(Bigg's) Killer Whales
January 1:
Report via Facebook that the T036's
have a new calf. (This has not yet been confirmed as being newer than
T036A2 – SM)
Ron Bates via Orca Network, WA
January 1:
We had the T30's and T124's heading
north yesterday and the T36's, T37's and T99's heading north today.
Maybe they will show up your way soon.was a large group of Transient
(Bigg's) heading Northward from Friday Harbour, WA.
Ivan Reiff, Friday Harbour, WA
NRKW A66 and A42 ride
outrigger with Tiny Calf
January 2, 2013
Susan MacKay, SG Images
Orca
– Probably Transient (Bigg's)
January 1:
Video Clip Link to Orca seen from
Denman/Hornby ferry:
Dianne Radmore, Denman Island
Bulletin Board via Graham Blake
Dolphins
– Probably Pacific White Sided
December 28: (late report)
We were on the 4:00 pm ferry from
Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, on a very cold, rainy, darkening Dec 28th,
when about 15 minutes out of the harbor my husband, Den spied a
couple of fins. I only caught a dark rippling of the water but the
word was "Dolphins". Having just driven from Salmon Arm in
the thro's of the flu we didn't pursue further searching out on the
deck where I usually spend a good amount of time on the ferry rides.
This is the only sighting from the ferry that we have experienced.
Can't wait till summer to come north and take a whale watching
charter.
Thank You so very much for sending
images and reports of the whale & dolphin & porpoise
sightings all year. Each image thrills, so you know what the impact
of actually seeing in person is for me. This last image of the whales
is like a beautiful ballet. (December 31 update – SM) Keep sending
images and reports.
Sonja Billard, keeping the eyes on
the waters
Gray
Whale Information
I’m actually not surprised to hear
you have some errant gray whales up there! I went to a conference a
few years ago regarding gray whales (as sentinels of climate change)
and was surprised to learn that not all of the whales make the annual
migration each year. Researchers listening with hydrophones for
bowhead in Alaska discovered gray whales hanging out each winter that
never went south. Oregon and Washington both have areas that a small
number of gray whales visit each year to feed, instead of heading
south.
It turned on its head everything I
thought I knew about gray whales! I guess if you don’t “need”
to make a 12,000 mile trip, why would you!! I’m sure I’d be happy
to hang out with a bunch of friends and have a few snacks, than just
go because it’s what everyone else is doing!!
Thanks for keeping us connected with
everything going on up there. It’s nice to feel, just for a few
minutes a day, we’re up there with you and the whales!
Alison Barrat, Monterey Bay
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