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

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

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Orca, Porpoise and Grey Whales


Transient (Meat Eating) Orca snuck past Powell River overnight or early today and were spotted late this afternoon. Photos below of a calf and Transient T020. Also some more Harbour Porpoises in the reports. No whales reported at the top end of Johnstone Strait over the past while nor any Southern Resident (Fish Eating) Orca in the Puget Sound area, but they do have some Grey Whales.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca - Killer Whales

Young Transient Calf – note the orange tinge
Albion (Black) Point area Malaspina Strait
April 12, 2012
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

April 12:

5 pm Call came in around 20 Orca by Mitlenatch Island, just off Savary Island. They were milling about, splashing, doing spyhops and generally cavorting about. No specific direction, but there are lots of sea lions on Mitlenatch for them to chase. Report was passed on from the new owner of Sevilla Island Resort in Lund.
Gordie Coles, Lund

Transient T020 April 12, 2012
Albion (Black) Point area Malaspina Strait
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Harbour Porpoises

5 pm Some small Harbour Porpoises were doing their usual, being boat shy, by the Ragged (Copeland) Islands, just off Lund.
Gordie Coles, Lund

Grey (or Gray) Whales

Reports below submitted by Susan Berta and Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island, US

April 11
Gray whale still near bluff on west beach and fort nugent road (west side of Whidbey Island, just south of Naval Air Station Whidbey)----just watched for a while--still unsure what it is--dark with a fine--seems to be eating for last two days--heading south at time 6pm and will turn north in a bite---anyone else reported it.
Sandy Blondin

April 11
Gray whale sighted slowly swimming northwest toward Langley off of Sandy Point, Whidbey Island about 12:30 - 1:00 PM today!
Melanie J. Sceva Hill

April 11
5 of them (gray whales) there again this morning. And late last nite. Right off Priest Point (north of Everett)--maybe 100-200 yards off our dock. We heard them last nite around 11pm & saw all five of them at 8 am this morning.
Susan Stedman

April 10
Grays off Everett from 1:05 pm. Many gray whales off of Everett now! Beautiful!
Shelby Snyder Keyser



 
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