Southern Resident Killer Whales from K-pod made one of their few Autumn forays into the upper Georgia Strait. They didn't stay for long, but we can only hope they had a good feed. Transient Bigg's Orca are being conspicuous by their absence, while we have a number of Humpback Whales still hanging around our inside waters. We can't help but wonder if some of them will continue to stay in the area all winter, some of them have been here since Spring. A number of Dall's Porpoise made a splash or two around a ferry feeding close to a couple of the usual Humpbacks. Although this report does not have any Pacific White Sided Dolphins or Harbour Porpoise, we are sure that there are some out there. A reminder that we continue our monitoring and publishing of these reports year round, and many of our sightings are from shore. Every sightings report is valuable so please remember to let us know!
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Society News
Volunteers are needed!
As we expand our reach, Sightings Reports, Maps and the new Magazine section, we are offering a greater quality and opening eyes and hearts to these amazing mammals.
We would like to maintain a weekly publishing schedule which is difficult without more volunteers to share the load. Last Friday's issue was skipped due to this lack of volunteers while two of our Directors, Susan MacKay and Judy Brant took on the role of orphaned bear cub rescuers. Taking time away from these reports and other society workings, they sent three tiny cubs into Critter Care's rehabilitation facility.
Would you like to Volunteer and be a part of our growing Society?
1. Assist with the preparation of these Sightings Reports - this is our number one current need - your location does not matter
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If you are interested, please send us a message by clicking VOLUNTEER in the sidebar or at the bottom of the page and we'll be happy to contact you.
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Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP 2015-042
Unique look at leaping Humpback Whales during the Storm off Texada Island.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Unique look at leaping Humpback Whales during the Storm off Texada Island.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sun Nov 22 2015
15:14 • SRKW Orca heading South between Willow Point and Mitlenatch Island in Stait of Georgia. ◦K-pod◦ Orca were travelling 5 to 7 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Roger McDonell, Stubbs Island Whale Watching
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Sun Nov 22 2015 - 6 Images / Media Files
Roger McDonell, Stubbs Island Whale Watching
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Sun Nov 22 2015 - 6 Images / Media Files
Roger McDonell, Stubbs Island Whale Watching
14:23 • SRKW Orca turned, heading South-East in a resting line from Wilby Shoals towards Mitlenatch Island in Strait of Georgia. ◦K-pod◦ Orca turned around and headed East. They are now resting in a line near Wilby Shoals that points towards Mitlenatch Island.
14:11 • 10 SRKW Orca heading West off Cape Mudge on Quadra Island in Strait of Georgia. ◦K-pod◦ The Orca were heading towards Discovery Passage. Two big fins were sighted in the group.
14:02 • 2 SRKW Orca heading South in Wilby Shoals. ◦K-pod◦
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sat Nov 21 2015
13:00 • 2 Orca heading North off Rebecca Rock in Strait of Georgia.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
Fri Nov 20 2015
17:19 • Orca North of South Thormanby Island in Welcome Passage. There were several Orca in the area, with no specific direction of travel.
Geordie Harrower, Sechelt, BC
Wed Nov 18 2015
10:23 • 10 Orca off Oyster River in Strait of Georgia. ▫ Radio Report
09:38 • Orca ▫ Radio Report
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Nov 14 2015
11:20 • 6 or 7 Orca doing circles, off Higgs Point on South Pender Island in Boundary Pass. They were going back and forth several times over a half a mile section in the ocean. They were in the area for about 15 minutes. Large male, two to three smaller adults, and two smaller whales. ▫ Observed from Shore
Bill McMullen, South Pender Island
First of the two video clips of leaping Humpback Whales during the Storm off Texada Island.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
First of the two video clips of leaping Humpback Whales during the Storm off Texada Island.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sun Nov 22 2015
12:06 • 2 Humpback Whale South-West of Savary Island off Grant Reefs in Strait of Georgia. ◦Chinook and friend◦ ▫ On Scene
Roger McDonell, Stubbs Island Whale Watching
Humpback Whales
Sun Nov 22 2015 - 5 Images / Media Files
Roger McDonell, Stubbs Island Whale Watching
Humpback Whales
Sun Nov 22 2015 - 5 Images / Media Files
Roger McDonell, Stubbs Island Whale Watching
11:48 • 3 Humpback Whale off Squirrel Cove on Cortes Island in Desolation Sound.
Jay Feaver, Powell River, CCG
Sat Nov 21 2015
16:12 • 2 Humpback Whale breaching, heading West off Powell River in Malaspina Strait. One of the Humpback Whales breached 15 times and then, did huge tail lobs. They were slowly heading towards Harwood Island.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
13:30 • 2 Humpback Whale breaching, South of Grief Point. One large whale and one smaller one. Nice tail stand from large one; seemed to be feeding or milling about. ▫ On Scene
Bruce Simonar , Powell river
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whale near Pocahontas Bay on Texada Island in Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River
09:00 • 2 Humpback Whale off Rebecca Rock in Strait of Georgia.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
08:58 • 2 Humpback Whale West of Texada Island. This was another two Humpbacks!. ▫ From Ferry
08:15 • 2 Humpback Whale off Powell River in Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Steve & Susan Grover, Powell River, BC
Fri Nov 20 2015
17:14 • 2-3 Humpback Whale between Harwood Island and Scuttle Bay in Malaspina Strait. The Humpback Whales were heard but not seen. Possibly, going West. ▫ Observed from Shore
Heather Armstrong, Powell River
13:37 • 2 Humpback Whale off Coho - Kiddie Point on Texada Island in Strait of Georgia.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Thu Nov 19 2015
16:07 • 3 Humpback Whale off Rebecca Rock in Strait of Georgia.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
10:05 • 2-3 Humpback Whale foraging, between Harwood Island and Powell River in Malaspina Strait. ◦Chinook and friend◦ I think there were two or three Humpbacks between the lookout at Westview and Harwood. Kept changing direction - I assume fishing, a bit far out to see good. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell river
08:29 • 2 Humpback Whale off the South end of Harwood Island in Strait of Georgia. ◦Chinook and friend◦
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
Humpback Whales
Thu Nov 19 2015 - 2 Images / Media Files
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
Humpback Whales
Thu Nov 19 2015 - 2 Images / Media Files
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
??:?? • 1 Humpback Whale foraging, off the North end of Galiano Island. I am pretty sure it was a Humpback. It had a dorsel fin and when it dove, I saw its fluke. ▫ Observed from Shore
Irene Astell, .
Wed Nov 18 2015
13:57 • 3 Humpback Whale between Vivian Island and Rebecca Rock in Strait of Georgia. The Humpback Whales were active and were waving their pectoral flippers. Large spouts and tails were also observed.
Jay Feaver, Powell River, CCG
Sun Nov 15 2015
16:21 • 1 Humpback Whale off Kiddie (Coho) Point on Texada Island in Strait of Georgia.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sat Nov 14 2015
10:21 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North off Steep Island in Discovery Passage. The Humpbacks were riding the ebb current.
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
DALL'S PORPOISE
Sat Nov 21 2015
08:58 • 20 Dall`s Porpoise West of Texada Island in Strait of Georgia. ▫ From Ferry
Steve & Susan Grover, Powell River, BC
SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2015-042
The Magazine
The WOWs Magazine welcomes reader submissions of links to Published Articles and Media. We also welcome submissions of original: Articles, Letters, Notices, Photography, Video and Audio.
Please look for the Magazine Submissions Button at the bottom of the page and in the top sidebar, and for our Original Material Guidelines at the bottom of the Magazine.
Vancouver Sun / Times Colonist
An orca spotted three weeks ago entangled in a rope and float appears to be free, the Pacific Whale Watch Association says.
T77A, as the 19-year-old killer whale is known, was photographed off the Thetis Island-Chemainus ferry in Stuart Channel on Nov. 4, prompting a search by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Article: Forest Ethics
Video: Pacific Wild
Check out this stunning footage of whales and orca off the coast of The Great Bear Rainforest.
The area may be famous as the home of the Spirit Bear, but hundreds of other beautiful creatures also call this stunning place home.
Vancouver Sun / Times Colonist
The major newspapers are starting to take notice of what we our readers have noted all Summer, the Humpback whales are frequenting our waters in greater numbers..and may be choosing to stay in the area to reproduce.
Post and Courier, DC
The first seasonal sighting of a Right whale off the coast of Georgetown, one of a worldwide population of only 700. The article looks at the dangers faced by the East Coast Right whale population and efforts to protect this and other cetacean species.
AlJazeera
The demand from aquatic theme parks in Russia, China is fueling a new market for wild Orca, marine experts say
Wired
The Cascadia Research Group is teaming with the US Navy's Submarine listening microphones to find and tag Beaked whales, the most elusive of deep sea whales, and the largest group of cetaceans...
Imagix Dental
Read about Whale Teeth. This article was submitted by Libby a future Marine Biologist, and currently a student in Allison Harmon's homeschooling class. Allison's class use the Society website resource pages when researching the aquatic animals project they are working on for the rest of the month. Thanks for your submission Libby, on behalf of our readers.
Singapore Straits Times
Read the background to this prize winning image, taken in South Africa in 2011, which shows a Bryde's whale, a highly endangered creature, ripping through a swirling ball of sardines, gulping a huge mouthful in a single pass.
The Idealist
This volunteer opportunity supports a research project that is the longest ongoing study of a resident population of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Mediterranean Sea. and is based in Croatia.
New Zealand Herald
A breakthrough by Kiwi and Australian researchers has revealed amazing new insights into the patterns of southern Right whales, which could aid efforts to preserve the endangered ocean giants.
Earth Touch News Network
Work is underway by students and researchers to strip and prepare the skeleton of a 78-foot Blue whale that washed for display in Newport, OR.
Gizmodo
An international team of marine biologists has made the first-ever field observations of rare Omura’s whales—one of the least known species of whales in the world — while working off the coast of Madagascar.
See more video and images of the Omura's whales.
Monterey County Weekly
All along the Pacific Coast of N. America the El-Nino effect has made this an exceptional Summer for new whale species appearing. A Naturalist and Marine Biologist list off the new visitors who have shown up on the coast of Monterey CA this Summer.
Deadline News
Read the article accompanying this increadible video taken by the crew aboard the Grampian Protector who managed to witness the once-in-a-lifetime moment at the weekend when stationed 155 miles east of Aberdeen.
The eleven minute clip shows the school of Orca – including a mother and her baby – bashing their tails against the choppy waves and leaping in and out of the water.
The WOWs Magazine welcomes reader submissions of links to Published Articles and Media. We also welcome submissions of original: Articles, Letters, Notices, Photography, Video and Audio.
Please look for the Magazine Submissions Button at the bottom of the page and in the top sidebar.
Original Material Guidelines: Notices: max. 100 words; Letters & Articles: max. 500 words. You or your organization must be the Authors of the work and are solely responsible for its content.
The WOWs Magazine gives no assurance material submitted will be published.
For our DONATE page click here
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call
1-877-323-9776