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

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Sightings and Link to Missing Email Report

Previous report didn't go out to email subscribers for some unknown reason!! I do apologize to you all. It was posted too late for overnight feed since it took so long to compile the day after Sea Fair, and am not certain why it didn't make it out the following day. Here is the direct link to it: http://whalesanddolphinsofbc.blogspot.ca/2013/07/very-long-cetacean-report-catch-up.html

The Humpback Whales are still in the Powell River to Savary Island area with a blow off Rebecca Rocks as I type (7:45 pm). There are a total of 4 different animals at least. I can confirm seeing three different animals, but not the fourth and have not had time to investigate. Transient Bigg's Killer Whales have shown up again, and lots of Pacific White Sided Dolphins are in the inlets with a few having spread out.

Additional bit of news was the need to rescue a seal pup, a bit smelly but extremely cute. My unexpected overnight guest caused a bit more delay in the million items on the to-do list which included responding to all your emails. I am not ignoring you, so please bear with me. The pup is now at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center thanks to Pacific Coastal Airlines who donates these rescue flights. These pups are frequently left on shore while the Mom goes off to feed, but monitored in case the Mom doesn't get back after 24 hours. They should be left alone and protected from human and animal intervention. If there is a serious threat, please call the the Marine Mammal Incident Reporting line at 1-800-465-4336 and the Rescue Center will send someone, such as myself out to evaluate and help.
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 Whales

Humpback Whale off Vivian Island
July 31, 2013
Chris Park, Powell River

July 31:
9:35 am Humpback Whale off of Savary Island.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

July 31:
2 pm Humpback Whale off Vivian Island Westing. My friend says the humpback had something that looked like blood on its abdomen. When he said the Whale left fast he said he meant more determinedly and swimming on a straight course West. (Photo showed barnacles with some reddish seaweed growing on the edge of a tail fluke. This is quite normal for Humpbacks, but there is still concern that there is new injury - SM)
Michael Stewart, Powell River

July 31:
7:30 pm Humpback Whale just off of Rebecca Rocks.
Jessica Dohm, Powell River

July 30:
9:45 am Humpback Whale(s) off Powell River.
Radio

July 30:
12:08 pm Humpback off Powell river today btwn 11:30 am and May still be there.
Diane Romer, Powell River

July 30:
1:30 pm Humpback Whale couple miles towards Vancouver Island from Grant's Reef off Savary and Harwood Islands.

July 30:
1:47 pm There are a total of 4 Humpback Whales in the area 2 close to Grant's Reef 2 between Grief Point and Myrtle Rocks, Powell River.

July 30:
2:45 pm Humpback Whale off Savary with Aaron, Flyguy, Webber another off Blubber Bay, Texada.

July 30:
3:28 I've got the Humpback Whale off Powell by Harwood Island to the Mill. Confirmed this is a different whale, but left camera behind...oops!
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

July 30:
4:15 pm Left Humpback Whale Manson Pass, between Savary and Hernando Islands 2 miles out from pass.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

July 31:
11:53 am Humpback Whale off Manson Passage, between Savary and Hernando Islands.
Geord, Discovery Marine Safaris

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

Transient Bigg's KW off Hornby Island
July 24, 2013
Ray Hogan

July 31:
10:44 am Report of Orca at Port Neville, Johnstone Strait. No direction.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

July 31:
11:53 am T020/21 Eastbound at Vansitart Point, Johnstone Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

July 31:
3:57 pm T020 and T021 are at Chatham Pt. now.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

July 31:
4:10 pm Left T20/21 150 Mtrs off Chatham Point light. Committed to Disc Passage by the looks of it.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions Cheers Fr nick

July 31:
5:36 pm Transients T20/21 again at the South end of Elk Bay.....Moriarty Point.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Pacific White Sided Dolphin
July, 2013
Garry

July 31:
7:23 am PWS Dolphins at Hall Point, Nodales Channel this morning.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

July 31:
7:23 am PWS Dolphins Denham Island now.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

July 31:
11:08 am Approx. 20 PWS Dolphins Deepwater Bay, by Campbell River.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

July 31:
3:45 pm Leaving 75-100 PWS Dolphins foraging bottom end of Denham Bay
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

July 30:
9:45 am 100+ PWS Dolphins milling Granite Point by Okisollo Channel.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

July 30:
9 am Titan saw 75 PWS Dolphins at McMullen Pt., Campbell River area.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

July 30:
11:25 am 100 PWS Dolphins Southbound with tug and tow between Deepwater Bay and Eagles Cove, just above Campbell River.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

July 30:
12:16 pm PWS Dolphins Okisollo Channel and Discovery Passage.
John, Discovery Marine Safaris

July 30:
2:45 100 PWS Dolphins Bodega Point Southbound.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching

July 30:
5:41 pm PWS Dolphins still at Bodega Point no direction.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching

July 30:
5:41 pm at 2100 last eve. Left PWS Dolphins just south of Browns Bay jumping like popcorn.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

In The News

Seal pup rescue – too cute! Calling for his/her Mom just before heading out for the flight.

Seal pup in the kennel prior to shipping down to rehab at Vancouver Aquarium.
July 31, 2013
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!

Whales and Dolphins BC is officially the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)


Sunday, March 24, 2013

A Few Gray (Grey) Whale Sightings and Last Minute Orca Update

After posting this we got word of some Orca, so here's the report:
Unidentified Orca
March 24:
Hi there,
Tracked two killer whales heading south off Rathtrevor Beach this afternoon – between 3:15 and 4:30.  Appeared to be a mom and baby as the little one still had some pink.  They were very slow – perhaps feeding as they would stay in one area for a while, there wold be lots of splashing and commotion and then they would move on.  At one point the adult appeared to be chasing something through the water as it was moving very fast. It was an amazing experience! Thanks
Jill


Sightings are very few...odd for this time of year. But between the rough weather on the west coast of Vancouver Island, there are some Grey Whales showing up for the Pacific Rim Grey Whale Festival in the Tofino – Ucluelet area; see reports below. There are also a few Greys showing up just South of Vancouver Island around Whidbey Island and Transient Bigg's Killer Whales also in the US San Juan Island area. No word on where those Pacific White Sided Dolphins got to. They may still be in the Sechelt - Jervis Inlet area. Keep your eyes open – there must be more whales, dolphins or porpoise out there.
To report your sighting, call our new toll free hotline: 1-877-323-9776
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Gray (or Grey) Whales

Gray Whale blows are low and heart shaped.
Feeding in shallow water, they are easy to watch from shore.
Susan MacKay, SG Images

March 23:
I didn't give a report yesterday because it was practically the same as Thursday. (rough on the water).
Today was different, we were off Salmon Beach watching two, likely male, Grey's rolling in shallow water close to the shore. They were having a great time, not sure if they were eating much or just having fun. No herring here yet so not likely that they were eating that much.
Don McBain, visiting Ucluelet

March 21:
5 greys making their way west from Sail Rock towards Mara Rock about 1:30. Mainly just backs but one tail, and fairly close to the "Lady Selkirk". More tomorrow I hope.
Don McBain, visiting Ucluelet

Gray Whale back
Blotchy patches of pigment, barnacles and mites,
the orange coloured spots, cover the whole whale.
Susan MacKay, SG Images

LINK
Zoom Sunshine Coast Magazine Spring 2013 issue just out and in digital version too. Whales and Dolphins BC has a piece in it with a few photos:

Gray Whale head
Their head shape gives them a prehistoric appearance.
Susan MacKay, SG Images

Toll Free Sightings Hotline: 1-877-323-9776

Monday, November 19, 2012

Breaching Humpback Whales and Orca Report

What a great sight while having morning coffee! After so few reports of any Cetaceans and stormy weather making them difficult to even spot in the white caps, seeing Humpback Whales breaching certainly set the tone for the day. And a smile on my face. As anticipated, we are getting these huge animals coming down the inside between Vancouver Island and the Mainland. I believe the earthquakes off the West side of Vancouver Island have something to do with that. Keep your eyes open. A quick scan of the water can sometimes provide a great treat and Whales or Dolphin sightings to report.
Win a Cruise for Two Draw date: March 16, 2013
I apologize for the delay in getting this report out.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Humpback Whales
Breaching Humpback Whale
Spectacular leap from such a large animal
Susan MacKay, SG Images

November 18:
7:45 am One Humpback blow and back was spotted Southbound off the Northwest tip of Texada. It was a brief sighting as the island obstructed my view.
A few minutes later, as I watched a tug taking huge sprays in front of Powell River, a huge Humpback Whale breached a short distance behind. It was an enormous splash! Then another huge leap, totally out of the water and splash, then another. Wow! Then two Humpbacks breached side by side....what a show.
Within ten minutes, I counted a total of 15 breaches between the two Humpbacks. These two were between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island slowly working their way towards Vivian Island. Until 8:50 am there were around six more breaches as I watched the blows from these two together and at least one, possibly two other blows farther apart. They rounded the tip of Harwood angling North-West with the tide.

Not wanting to call anyone too early on a Sunday morning, I sent out a text message feeling that someone else needs to enjoy this incredible sight. I heard back from Stephen Mohan, Powell River who said “Cool! I'll have a look.” And shortly after one of the full breaches, “Holy cow!” and “Wow that was great!” Unfortunately, no other reports came in about these Humpbacks.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

November 10: (late report)
Between 11 am and 12 pm Two Humpback Whales were seen from the ferry off Saltrey Bay towards Hardy Island.
Carol Adamack, Powell River

Breaching Humpback Whale
Leaping more than once!
Susan MacKay, SG Images

Orca – Killer Whales

November 17:
Possible Orca sighting by the Powell River mill. The 'fins' would roll very slowly and change direction and seemed animate. Depth would vary too and sometimes they'd seem to sink out of sight only to pop back up again soon thereafter. The air spouts were probably not more than a foot tall using the nearby gulls as a reference but scale is so hard to judge from such a distance. Not much in the way of answers I know. If it made sense to me then I may not have even thought to have asked you though I can see now that any report is probably better than none. (We are still sorting through some information and photos to determine if these were Orca or what with the sea lions.n And yes, any report is better than none! - SM)
Peter Harvey, Powell River

November 14:
4:25 pm Report of a pod of between 20 to 30 Orca by the red can buoy off of Cape Mudge, Quadra Island was announced over the radio. Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys took a drive and walked his dog along the shore hoping to catch sight of them. Between us, we couldn't locate the vessel that had reported them by radio. Unfortunately, even though it was a calm day, he didn't spot them before having to call it a day in the fading light.

Link:
I have been asked a number of times if Humpback Whales lunge feeding ever catch birds since birds are also feeding close by. I had seen one this past year open his mouth to let a Rhinoceros Auklet, a small diving bird out. Here is a link showing a Pelican inside the mouth of a Humpback!

Breaching Humpback Whale
Landings are impressive too!
Susan MacKay, SG Images