Transient and Other Cetacean Sightings

Transient (meat eating) Orca still in the area, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, one taken by Transients while others spread out, and a few Dall's Porpoise spotted. A couple of missed reports as well as a few that arrived late. Lots of activity around so keep your eyes on the water!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca – Killer Whales

Transient Orca

May 19, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 22:

6 am 3 Orca Northbound by Seymour Narrows.

Radio transmission – unknown source

May 22:

12 pm 3 Transients by Squirrel Cove, Cortez Island. No direction, milling around. Kurt & Scotty are with them...I'm the messenger.

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 22:

12:24 pm The 3 Orca just became 7 about half way between Squirrel Cove and Mary Point angling towards Cortez Bay. There's at least one calf – this year's. Am leaving the area.

A couple of minutes later: Another 6 to 8 Transient Orca just popped up at the South end of Twin Islands heading towards the other two groups and Cortez Bay area. This is where they were the other day when they took a sea lion.

Kurt, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 22:

3:20 pm Orca still between Twin Islands and Cortez Bay.

Radio

Transient Orca

May 19, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 21:

11:40 am 4 to 6 Transients heading Southwards towards Powell River. They were about center strait and between Harwood and the Powell River mill, they stopped to take a sea lion. I lost track of them around 1:20 pm.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 21:

Around 12 pm 8 Orca including two calves, one still with orange tinge close off Westview ferry terminal in Powell River. There were some really nice spy hops as the Comox ferry pulled out and the Texada ferry came in. (they were behind a tree for me during this time – SM)

Steve Grover, Powell River

May 20:

4 pm Some Orca were Southbound travelling quickly in Discovery Passage by April Point.

Scotty

May 20:

6 pm 1 Pacific White Sided Dolphin killed by about 5 or 6 female Orca in Bute Inlet across from Bear Bay. There were more Transients in the area including a large male, but it was only the females on the hunt. (partial repeat from Dolphin Report)

Brian Gage, Bute Inlet Lodge

Humpback Whale

May 22:

8 am Humpback Whale just below Seymour Narrows. Unknown on Radio – later, no tours found the whale.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 22:

8 am Pacific White Sided Dolphins just by the red can buoy close to Campbell River. No numbers or direction.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 22:

12 pm Around 20 or so Pacific White Sided Dolphins are moving really quickly Southwards past Grief Point, Powell River.

John Treen, Powell River

May 22:

12:24 pm Dolphins headed South by April Point, Campbell River. No numbers or direction.

Scotty

May 22:

2:30 pm 12 PWS Dolphins Eastbound in Okisollo Channel.

Eagle Master

May 22:

3:20 pm A number of PWS Dolphins moving fast Southwards at Race Point, Campbell River Area.

Radio

May 20:

6 pm 500+ Dolphins in Bute Inlet. 1 Pacific White Sided Dolphin killed by about 5 or 6 female Orca in Bute Inlet across from Bear Bay (partial repeat from Orca Report)

Brian Gage, Bute Inlet Lodge

May 18:

9:35 am 6 to 8 Pacific White Sided Dolphins moving quickly Northwards past the Powell River viewpoint.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 18:

1:20 pm Large number – in the hundreds – of PWS Dolphins heading into Bute Inlet.

Radio

Dall's Porpoise

May 21:

12 pm A couple of Dall's Porpoise foraging by Elk Bay.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Orca Reports submitted by our friends at Orca Network, Whidbey Island, Wa

May 21

Myself and Ron King picked up 6 or 7 transient killer whales a mile and a half off race rocks light house. They were breaching and lots of spyhops as well as high speed porpoising. We found them making a kill on a group of harbor porpoise. Pretty sure the identification was the T100s and a brand new calf still bright yellow. Photographs on transient killer whale research blog and orca network. Josh McInnes

May 19

Transient orcas located today in the more northerly portions of Georgia Strait. We found T10 with her sons T10B and T10C, plus T26 with her daughter T26A northwest of Winchelsea Island, heading west. They continued in this direction until we left them at approximately 2 PM northwest of the Ballenas Islands. For those unfamiliar with this part of Georgia Strait, we were northwest of Nanaimo. Nice to have some orcas around again. Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch

May 19

Located 4 transients off Mistaken Island, near Parksville, about 20 miles northwest of Nanaimo. They were traveling north, and included in the group was T26 and T26A. They were with the T10s, T10B and T10C. Shortly after we left the scene, the four were joined by at least 9 other transients. Wow, what are they up to?? They were taking 2 minute dives, and swimming just under the surface, as we could see the their white eye patches and flank patches flashing just under the waves. They were making a slow and steady pace north, and were not exhibiting the "super stealth" mode of hunting transients. Tasli Shaw

May 18

7:00 pm. Four Orcas were swimming east through Active Pass. Got a great look at them. Beth Triggs

May 18

WOW... We had an epic day on the water yesterday! We traveled over 110 nautical miles or 200 km to see a group of transients. When we first arrived with the transient orcas off Parksville, we sighted 5 transients the T10's and the T26's. After spending time with them we saw more transient orcas appear in the distance. Then more and more appeared from almost every direction. We ended up with at least 17 transients socializing and having a big party. It was a truly amazing day!!! Here are the transients I managed to i.d.- T10's, T87, T26's, T90's, T86A's, T100's. Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching - Cowichan Bay

May 12

The transient orcas in Georgia Strait on this date were T87 and the T90's near Valdez Island and the T100's with T102 in the mid-strait, west of Vancouver Airport. Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch

May 10

Pod heading north....seem to be feeding on seals to the north of mistaken island at the entrance to "northwest bay, in Georgia Straits, Canada, near Parksville, about 20 miles NW of Nanaimo. About 6 in the pod. Reg Hawkes 

 

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.

Humpback Whale and Transient Orca

Humpback Whale and Transient Orca in calm seas and sunshine! Reports and photos below. Some Pacific White Sided Dolphins by Powell River too.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca

Transient Orca

May 3, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 3:

10:27 am Morning! Just got a report of Orca heading west at Rendezvous Islands. Word came from a water taxi buddy.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 3:

12:46 pm 11 – 12 Orca Southbound by Separation Head, by Campbell River. Unknown if these are the same whales as reported above.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Orca

May 3, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 3:

2:29 pm All the T002's just coming up to Cape Mudge. T019B for sure. And the 123A's

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Humpback Whale

May 3:

1:57 pm Humpback Whale at April Point Southbound. Received report from Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures and Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Humpback Whale

May 3, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 3:

Hi Susan We left the Orcas and the Humpback Whale heading south about 3 miles south of Cape Mudge at 3:45 pm. I’m attaching photos for you.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 2:

9:20 am Around 30 Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging between the Powell River viewpoint and ferry terminal.

Steve Grover, Powell River

 

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.

Lots of Sightings Activity

Lots of activity out there. More Transient Orca. These same Whales were in the US by Whidbey Island a couple of days ago. Dall's Porpoise and smaller groups of Pacific White Sided Dolphins as well as a Humpback sightings reports.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca – Killer Whales

Transient Orca, Sutil Channel

May 1, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 1:

2 pm Orcas off Francisco Point, bottom of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. No numbers or direction. Information came from a water taxi friend.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 1:

5 pm report: Sounded like 7 Orca near Read Island Northbound.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 1:

Hi Susan, Here is our gang from today. We got the call at 1400hrs of Orca off of Fransisco Point on the East Shore of Quadra and got off the dock at 1425. We found the gang westbound in a zigzag pattern about 1.5 miles off of fransisco. We stayed with them for approx 2 hrs. Not much for action in this time, just your usual zigzag transient pattern starting at 5-6 knots and resting after. They came together at Viner point on Reid Island at about 1630 for some socializing. Nice gang to see, not much for action! We then went over to Centre Island where we found the branded juvenile Stellar sea Lion.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Transient Orca, Sutil Channel

May 1, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Humpback Whale

May 1:

11 am Call came in from Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys that there's a Humpback Whale sighted at Brown's Bay, Campbell River heading South.

May 1:

Just the two Humpback Whale reports. One was at about 1000 am from Arron from Sonora resort on a town run. HB was mid channel on the Quadra shoreline (just South of Kanish Bay). Second report was at 1600 hrs at small creek North of Browns Bay on the Van Isl shoreline with his nose pointed South.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 1:

4 pm Humpback Whale Southbound Browns Bay.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Apr 30:

2:30 pm 30 Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Calm Channel, by Rendezvous Islands.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 1:

7:40 pm Large numbers of birds caught my eye as they swooped down to the water to pick off fish. I grabbed the binoculars to see what might be chasing the fish up. Just as I spotted around 30 Pacific White Sided Dolphins, the phone rang with a call from neighbour Steve Grover to let me know about them. While watching, there were three large Bald Eagles taking advantage of the fishing with all the other birds while the Dolphins continued to chase and feed, with the occasional leap thrown in. They were back and forth close to the Powell River viewpoint till a bit after 8 pm, at least.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Dall's Porpoise

April 30:

3:13 pm 10 Dall's Porpoises foraging in Bute Inlet.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Orca, Sutil Channel

May 1, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Orca Network Reports from Washington State:

April 29

Cascadia Research undertook a survey out of Westport, Washington, and encountered a group of ~25 southern resident killer whales including individuals from both K and L pods. The whales were traveling rapidly to the north. We were able to photograph many of the individuals present and the photos are being sent to the Center for Whale Research and Northwest Fisheries Science Center to confirm identity of those whales present.

April 27

Calm seas, sunshine, and ORCAS! Upon leaving the harbor we traveled along the east side of San Juan Island and found members of the J-Pod at the southern end of the island. For much of our encounter, the whales were spread out over a large distance but would then regroup and spend time within close proximity of each other. Whales were traveling, milling, and exhibited foraging behavior, although no fish were seen. We heard amazing vocalizations using our underwater hydrophone; squeaks, squeals and percussive sounds. Naturalists Colleen and Amy, San Juan Safaris

April 28

A few orcas did their own Tour de Lopez this afternoon coming past the south end of Lopez. A small, slow-moving, tightly packed pod of 5 - 7 orcas traveled east past Iceberg Point, turned and headed out further in the Strait in a westerly drift with at least a dozen boats in pursuit.
Sally Reeve

April 28

One day the Residents, and the next the Transients, and then the Residents and then the Transients... We are soon to finish the best April that I can remember for Orca sightings. Orcas have been seen about two out of three days this April. Amazing. Yesterday it was the Ts off of Iceberg Pt. Lopez Island, with the Cascade Mts. in the background. We left them late, headed in the direction of Deception Pass including T49C and the T124As and T86A and her kids.
Capt. Jim Maya

April 28
We encountered a group of about 12 transients Orcas, including T49As & Bs, at Iceberg Pt on our trip this afternoon. These are the same transients we encountered about a month ago hunting seals near Yellow Island. Today, they were grouped tightly together in a resting pattern.
Captain Brian Goodremont and Naturalist Kevin Culmback, San Juan Outfitters

April 27

We had the T086A's with the T124A's and T049C east bound heading towards Race Rocks on the afternoon of April 27th. Thanks to Russ from Sooke Coastal for the heads up.
Mark Malleson

April 30

Karen Morton called to 10 am with a report of 1 or 2 gray on the east side of Port Susan, at Country Club, headed south after feeding for about an hour. She said this is the first time she's seen one so far north in Port Susan.

April 29

My husband and I were in the South Sound (Case Inlet) and saw a whale today around noon. We couldn't tell if it was a grey what or a humpback. We saw it moving North toward Allyn and since there's no outlet going that way we thought we would see it going South but we never did. It was a very cool experience!
Thanks!
Beth Benson

April 29

One gray whale between Gedney Island and Camano Head at 11:30 this morning.
Stephanie Raymond

 

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.

Whale Sightings Reports

A few Whale sighting reports below, but it's been very quiet in the northern part of Georgia Strait. Reports have it that at least some of the Transient Killer Whales we had close to Powell River have gone out West past the Port McNeill / Sointula area, while some were still being spotted down by Whidbey Island off the Olympic Penninsula in the US. Keep your eyes open, they may still just pop up to surprise us.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca – Killer Whales

Transient near Myrtle Rocks, Powell River

Susan MacKay, SG Images April 10, 2012

April 12:

6:30 pm around 6 Orca including one big male were seen heading towards Heriot Bay by the Cortez to Quadra Island ferry.

And:

6 pm there were 4 to 6 Orca, all small dorsals seen close to South Rendezvous Island heading towards Raza Island by a broken down prawn boat.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

April 12:

Between 12noon and 2pm on April 12th, we saw about 20 Killer Whales playing. they came by our boat within 15 feet. They were Spyhoping splashing about for the first hour. Later when we went to the North side of the Island they started to Breach. We saw 6 breaches in about 30 seconds. they continued to swim about and around our boat... At one time we had Orcas on all sides of the boat. At one time we saw 8 fins out of the water at the same time. We do not know how many whales were there we only guessed by seeing whales out each side that we could count 20.

Gord Chouinard, Lund Seaside Inn ....on Sevilla Island

Transient Killer Whale Malaspina Strait

Susan MacKay, SG Images April 10, 2012

Transients and Grey Whale

Reports submitted by Orca Network, Whidbey Island, US

April 16

3:40 pm - Sandra Pollard just called from the Clinton/Mukilteo ferry. She's seeing 4 or 5 orcas, including two adult males, heading east a bit north of the ferry lane. At the same time the captain of the ferry just reported a gray whale off the bow.

April 15
7:00pm - We are watching the orca still north of the Clinton ferry making their way south. See blows, dorsal of male and couple of breaches. General movement southbound. Also 6-10 harbor porpoise off Mukilteo mid channel.
Alisa Lemire Brooks

April 15

6:55 pm - Just observed a pod of orcas swimming south from Camano Head past the west side of Hat Island down to the Mukilteo/Columbia Beach ferry crossing. They are still frolicking just north of the ferry crossing. There was one, maybe two full size adults and at least 3, maybe 4 very small juveniles! SO SPECTACULAR!!!!!
Melanie J. Sceva Hill

April 15

6:30pm - gray whale right in front of our place at whidbey shores! We are just south of the spit on the cliff. Headed south! Slowly!
Sara Young

April 15

5:46 pm - Two greys between Cama beach & the State park. Closer to Whidbey. Moving s...l...o...w...l...y
Danelle Murphy

April 15

4:54 pm - Orca just past baby island, headed south, two for sure:) from where I stand on Camano Island between Cama beach and the park.
Danelle Murphy

April 15

4:39 pm - One gray south bound 2.5 miles north of North Bluff Rd.
Deception Pass Tours

 

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.

Valentine's Day Orca by Powell River

It was a lovely Valentine's gift to see Orca back in the inside waters and along the Sunshine Coast. Although I spent a short time out with them, there's nothing like sitting there and hearing their blows even when it got too dark to see them. They decided to arrive in the neighbourhood almost too late to see them at all. I managed a few very poor quality photos of them, see below. After my last report wondering where the whales got to, I received a couple of Humpback Whale reports, see below. I look forward to the Humpbacks and Dolphins (other than Orca, which are actually of the Dolphin family) also coming back to our coverage areas.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Orca – Killer Whales

(Transients?)

February 14:

Orca Tail Lob between Powell River and Texada Island

February 14, 2012

Photo: Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

4:40 pm A call came in of 6 or 7 Orca off Armour Road, south of Powell River heading Northward – my way. Thanks to Nina Falls for the sightings report!

I had little time to grab gear and head out into the calm waters in front of the Powell River Harbour. It didn't take very long to spot them, but as they headed close to shaded East side of Texada Island, the light wasn't in my favour to get ID photos. I managed to count at least 6 and possibly up to 9 Orca. As for vocals, I set the hydrophone down a number of times, but there was far too much boat noise from the ferries and tugs transiting the area to hear anything other than boats. I thought I heard a couple of squeaky calls, but they were not conclusively Orca calls.

Orca (possibly T20) between Powell River and Texada Island

February 14, 2012

Photo: Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

I'm pretty certain one of them was the Transient Orca T20 with his distinctive notch in that big dorsal, but they were distant and my photos were just too poor of a quality to be 100% certain. The females and the baby calf, merrily porpoising beside Mom, were also too far off; not to mention it was getting rather dark, to see clearly. I left them around 6:15 pm heading between the reef marker and Blubber Bay at the top of Texada Island.

5:43 pm Telephone message about the Orca out in front of Westview from neighbours Steve Grover, who suddenly realized he was also watching me, already out on the water with the Orca as he left the message. He also called my cell phone at one point to tell me that there were some Orca behind me which I did not see. Thanks Steve.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Orca Breach off the top of Texada Island

February 14, 2012

Photo: Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Humpback Whales

The following reports came in February 13, 2012 after my previous posting asking where the whales are. Most Humpback Whales are in Hawaii, but there was also a report of one in the Puget Sound area.

Hi Susan

It seems like a long time since we have had a visit but I do love your Blog and just wanted to let you know that we had many whale sightings while in Maui. Lots and lots of Humpbacks. There was not a day that went by without our seeing many breaches, especially against the darker background of Molokai. We had many sightings on our morning walk at Kapalua. We were smart enough to take our binoculars this time. While we were driving Erin back to the airport we had our closest sighting, just below the cliff edge, and huge! So we have been very lucky this past January. Hope all is well and you Anna hummingbirds are still okay.

Cheers Dulcie

And:

Want to report 3 Humpback whales breaching. Saw them off our deck.....of course, we are in Kona, Hawaii! See you in the spring
Dee

February 5

Just saw the humpback in Hood Canal today, from 4:15-6 pm off the Bangor navy base!
Emma Willoughby

Hummingbird Update

Still have the same four fighting over the feeder in Powell River. The male Anna's are in their breeding plumage and have even redder heads than a few weeks ago. They are also going through a lot more food even though it's warmer.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

 

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.

Southern Resident Orca in Powell River

The following are photos of some of the Southern Resident Orca in front of Powell River, BC. It's interesting that these whales take a trip up this way at least once per year in the winter months. Last year, J-Pod showed up just before Christmas, in the sunshine and gave some wonderful breaches. It's not often they come up this far so it will be interesting to see what happens. Keep your eyes open everyone – there are whales and dolphins out there!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

J27 in front of Powell River, BC

January 11, 2012

photo taken off video clip by Susan MacKay, SG Images

Southern Resident Female Orca (ID ?) in front of Powell River, BC

January 11, 2012

photo taken off video clip by Susan MacKay, SG Images

J26 or is it L79 ? in front of Powell River, BC

January 11, 2012

photo taken off video clip by Susan MacKay, SG Images

The Marine Mammal Response Network sent me a link to a video regarding Sea Lion entanglements that is very interesting and worth watching.  

Entanglement of Steller Sea Lions in Marine Debris: Identifying Causes and Finding Solutions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dy2kepJvOM&feature=youtu.be 

Please help prevent entanglements. A reminder that if you spot a marine mammal or sea turtle (we've had a few in BC recently) in distress, injured or dead, please call the hotline at: 1-800-465-4336 immediately.

Sunshine - Calm Seas – Orca !

After over a month of no whale, dolphin or porpoise sightings out in front of Powell River, we finally had some Orca – see report below. Other reports from the past few days have indicated there were Northern Resident Orca at the top of Johnstone Strait as well as Southern Residents in Puget Sound.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

January 11:

12:30 pm just after discussing the lack of sightings with a regular contributor to Whales and Dolphins BC Sightings Blog in a store, I received a call from Bill Taylor that there were around 7 Orca just south of Powell River headed in my direction.

1:15 pm By the time I got down to the skiff, I spotted blows by VanAnda, Texada Island. There were a couple of breaches as the Orca slowly made their way towards Powell River. They were quite spread out with some closer to Grief Point and others hugging the Texada shore when a couple of them popped up in the middle of the strait. The two big males in the lead disappeared pretty quickly, but there was at least one other male and two juveniles. With the spread, it was very difficult to get a definitive count, but there were between 11 to 14 whales total. I dropped the hydrophone and through the boat noise, I did hear a few calls as well as some echolocation. They sounded more like Resident Orca, than Transients, but with all the boat noise, it was not enough to be sure of who. Once the video clip (my still camera is in the shop) is reviewed, I'll be able to pull a photo for the blog and get a proper identification. The majority of the Orca headed out between Texada and Rebecca Rocks towards Vancouver Island while the last two went out closer to Harwood around 3 pm. Once home, I spotted a few of their blows heading North-West towards Sentry Shoal.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

January 10:

Around 12 pm A call came in that there was just one blow spotted behind one of the shrimp draggers working out in front of Powell River. There were no dorsals or additional blows seen.

Steve Grover

Transient Orca by Savary Isl. 'KC' the Humpback Whale and Dall's

Transient Orca by Savary Island and Dall's Porpoise in our upper Georgia Strait. 'KC' the Humpback Whale in the lower Johnstone Strait and Discovery Passage area. Dolphins are mostly in the upper Johnstone Strait area.

Stormy weather and very few people out on the water, or even being able to see much from shore, over the past few days has meant fewer sightings. Northern Resident Orca have not made an appearance for quite a while now. It is a big ocean and if they have gone above Vancouver Island, there are even fewer people watching for them in the storms that have been passing through. They are out there though so keep looking!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

T-055A2

October 2, 2011

Photo: Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Transient Orca

October 4:

9:30 am A couple of Orca were breaching in front of (North side) Savary Island. Murray was working on the front row and asked if I had spotted the whales. At 11:20 am The Orca went around Mace Point, Savary Island looking like they were headed towards Powell River.

Gordie Coles, Savary Island

3:10 pm Some Orca were in front of Campbell River headed West. Unknown who or how many.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

October 2:

T-55s found them coming out of Chancellor channel at bottom of Wellboure. They passed within 200meters of a HB..(Humpback - SM)<> and are now headed for the Sealions haulout on Helmken Island.

3:40 pm Just left them headed west after doing a circuit of Helmken island and taking a couple of Harbour seals

Nick

T-055B

October 2, 2011

Photo: Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

These are some pics of our encounter with the T055's and "KC" the HB...at least I think that's who it is! We found KC with some help from a fellow boater who gave us a call as we were headed up past Vansittart Pt. We found him on the Vancouver Island shoreline......right in the kelp bed! We spent some time keeping him company as he was sort of snoozing on the surface a lot and and there was quite a few seine vessels headed for the opening. From there we did a loop of Hardwicke Isl. searching for the T's. We didn't think we were going to find the only 4 orcas in the entire Johnstone Strait! As we slowed down to check the bear beaches in Wellboure Channel I caught speedy movement in the distance! It turned out to be the juvenile travelling at 15+ knots to catch up to the 3 dorsal fins in the distance! There were cheers on the boat when we found them! as they slipped slowly out of Chancellor Ch. we ran almost directly back into KC who was entering Chancellor........we held our breath as they passed each other within 150 meters. There were some scared looking Sealions on Helmken Island as they did a full sweep down one side, taking I think one harbour seal on the way. They actually went right into Billy Goat Bay it was very cool! It was a chilly but fantastic day on the zodiac!!

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

October 1:

2 pm Very broken radio transmission that sounded like Orca were close to Phillips Arm.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

At 14:30 a single male orca was at Beachy Head inbound. A Prince of Whales boat arrived moments later and probably got a ID. At 16:08 I saw the orca again, at Race Rocks. All these whales were observed from the Beachy Head lookout in East Sooke Park. Vincenz Eberl

Group of 5 transients played their way along the Victoria waterfront yesterday afternoon, including several spectacular breaches. Val Shore submitted by

Susan Berta and Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island, WA

Humpback Whales

'KC' Tail Flukes

October 2, 2011

Photo: Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

October 2:

See Nick's report on 'KC' short for 'Kelp Creature' close to the Transients under the Transient Orca report.

October 1:

From 11:45 to 16:40 at least 4 humpbacks were hanging out about 2 miles south of Race Rocks. I did not see any humpbacks breach in this time period. At about 16:30 one of them was occasionally putting its pectoral fin into the air but not slapping it down. Vincenz Eberl submitted by

Susan Berta and Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island, WA

2:50 pm Very broken radio transmission about a Humpback Whale Southbound, but couldn't hear where.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

September 27:

60 Dolphins by McMillen Point Southbound at 10 am (my apologies – missed posting this previously - SM)

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Dall's Porpoise

October 2:

9 am Couple of active Dall's Porpoise by Greensey Bay, Campbell River

Fog Horn Jeff

October 1:

10:15 am Group of very active Dall's Porpoise by Turn Island, across from Chatham Point.

Joel, Tenacious 3

Southern Resident Orca Reports

submitted by

Susan Berta and Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island, WA

Orca action abounded in Admiralty Inlet today and yesterday, and along San Juan Island and points between. While Js and Ks and some Ls were making their way up Whidbey Island Sunday morning from Bush Point to Admiralty Head to Partridge Point, the L2s were shuffling along the west side of San Juan Island, joined in mid-day by the L12s, in from Race Rocks, south of Victoria.

October 2

Just before 6pm this evening, Sunday 10/2, sitting in my house I heard the beautiful whoosh sound of their breathing, loud enough through the closed double-pane windows that I knew they had to be very close to shore. As I was getting up to get my camera, I heard a thunderous splash. And just as I opened my door to begin taking photos, one of the whales, which I lovingly call our "floating pandas," bolted up into the air completely out of the water, in a full sideways-oriented second breach right in front of me, as if to say hello (it's fun to artificially personalize these things!). The whole pod spent about 15 minutes foraging at Eagle Point before heading northwest. There was at least one youngster with them. Whales were here at Eagle Point several times on Thursday and Friday (9/29 and 30), and were also at Lime Kiln at sunset on Friday evening, between 6:30 and 7:30pm. It's always a joy to be close to these creatures, and as the season wanes, I feel a particular good fortune to have what is one of the last encounters for many months

Alex Shapiro, Eagle Point, San Juan Island

October 1

From 4:45pm until sunset there were 9 L pod whales along the west side of San Juan Island. Two had gone a good distance north past Lime Kiln lighthouse. Gaia L-78 and Grace L-2. Wave Walker L-88, Ino L-54 and 10 month old L-117 didn't quite make it to the light when they turned back sown island. Tanya L-5 and Coho L-108 were spotted as L-54 and L-117 were coming back south. About a mile to the south were Nyssa L-84 and Indigo L-100. During my listening time, one call I heard sounded like a K pod call, but no K pod whales were present.

Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island

More Baby Orca Photos, Humpback and More

More photos of the New Transient Orca Calf. Humpback Whale 'KC' or 'Kelp Creature' has been doing his/her kelp play. A couple of other Transients, Dall's and Harbour Porpoise sightings. Looks like the Pacific White Sided Dolphins went to Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait and above while the Northern Resident Orca are still above Johnstone Strait somewhere.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Baby Transient Orca Spy Hop

September 28, 2011

Photo: Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Transient Orca

September 29:

8:30 am 4 Transient Orca were by North Bluff, Campbell River towards Maude Island, Discovery Passage.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

11 am Found T20 and T21 in Seymour Narrows doing long dives and fighting the big ebb tide.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Newborn Calf

(about the size of a dolphin)

September 28, 2011

Photo: Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

2:45 pm Transients were by Cape Mudge heading Southward.

Aaron, Campbell River Whale Watching

Sometime around 2 pm 4 – 5 Orca, one tall, male dorsal were headed North between Cortez and Quadra Islands.

BC Ferry Tanaka

September 28:

Here are some pics of the T002C Gang with the new calf! These were taken today during our encounter starting at 1030hrs and ending at approx 1300hrs.They were travelling up Discovery Passage Northbound then went right thru Kanish Bay at the top of Quadra Island. There may have been a seal kill near the end as there was some feeding activity and birds around after. The calf is the smallest I have seen for sure, looking more like a dolphin! Also a shot of T002C2 that i thought really showed her scoliosis (This photo of T02C2 will be in the next Sightings posting - SM). They are my favorite gang of T's, love that T002c had the new calf, cheers!

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Humpback Whales

September 30:

9:15 am A Humpback was by Eagle's Cove to Elk Bay slowly heading North.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

In between these two reports I was listening to a few comments about this whale rolling, slapping it's pectoral fin and playing in and with the kelp – possibly 'KC' again.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

12 pm The lone Humpback Whale only made it as far as Rock Bay, by Chatham Point.

Aaron, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 28:

This beauty (photo below) was doing doughnuts in Plumper Bay (Campbell River) this afternoon at approx 1600 hrs. Is it one we know? Cheers,

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

I wondered where he was! This is "KC" BCY0291 born in 2002. Again, really value getting this data! Jackie Hildering.

('KC' stands for Kelp Creature. He's regularly seen in the upper Johnstone Strait area. Susan MacKay)

'KC' Tail Flukes

September 28, 2011

Photo: Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Dall's and Harbour Porpoise

September 30:

12:30 pm 5 Harbour Porpoise were in Chameleon Harbour, Thurston Bay Marine Park.

3 pm 5 to 6 Dall's Porpoise were foraging in Bute Inlet.

Aaron, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 29:

11:50 am 3 Dall's Porpoise were foraging by Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Around 12 pm 2 Harbour Porpoise were bow riding (possibly Hybrids from behaviour – SM)

Fog Horn Jeff

2:30 pm 6 Dall's Porpoise by Jimmy Judd Island in the Yuculta Rapids.

Joel – Tenacious 3

Puget Sound Reports

Submitted by:

Susan Berta and Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island, WA

September 28

Today around 2pm we found members of our resident pods K and L, almost 50 whales, spread out in Haro Strait heading up to Turn Point. We were able to identify K20, L87, L41, L88, and K40. We got to see a wide range of behaviors and all our passengers were very excited. On the way home we stopped along Spieden and saw many harbor seals on the rocks, as well as four-legged mammals grazing on the hillside including some bucks and a few rams. The icing on the cake was the Bald Eagle standing on the shore line with a salmon in its talons, and a handful of Steller Sea Lions lazing in the water at Green Point.

Mike, San Juan Safaris

September 28

Beam Reach students were with resident orcas off Hannah Heights, southwest San Juan Island at 11:01 am to northern Haro Strait between Henry Island and Stuart Island at 3:30 pm.

Baby photos of New Orca Calf plus more Sightings

Baby photos of the newest Transient Orca calf born! The main comment everyone had was that it was the smallest Orca they had ever seen. It says a lot when these reports come from the Whale Watching Tour community. The Baby was around 6 feet long when first seen – the size of a small Harbour Porpoise. Do whales really know that a storm is coming? I don't know, but they disappeared the day before it hit. September 26, 2011 was a major storm day where no-one was, or wanted to be out on the water. So we have Transient Orca, Humpback Whales, some Pacific White Sided Dolphins and some Dall's and Harbour Porpoise making appearances after the storm. The Resident Orca had gone out into Queen Charlotte Strait, above Johnstone Strait, just before the Storm Day hit.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

First Photo of Transient Calf

Looks like Mom's back is a good Ride

September 27, 2011

Photo: Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Northern Resident Orca

September 25:

All the Resident Orca had gone out into Queen Charlotte Strait.

Transient Orca

September 28:

9:30 am T02C's with new calf (total of 4 animals) slowly headed Northwards by Separation Head.

FogHorn Jeff

11:15 am The Transients chased a couple of Dall's Porpoise who seemed to evade them close in to shore.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

3:50 pm Transient Orca by Orange Point close to the Vancouver Island Side heading South.

AJ to Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures on Radio

5 pm – 6 pm The Orca were close to Shelter Point close to Vancouver Island still headed south to Oyster Bay. There were two other whales who joined the 4 Transients. No ID's on the joiners. But they all continued slowly Southbound. There were a couple of Harbour Porpoise around also, but they didn't seem to pay attention.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 27:

8:40 am 4 Transient Orca with a tiny Orca calf by Brown's Bay heading North.

Carl

10 am The Orca (T02C's) were slowly headed North. By 11 am they were by McMullen Point and 12 pm by Cinque Islands headed towards Greensey Bay.

Raido and Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

3:15 pm The T02C's in Nodales Channel. By 5 pm the report was they were by Dent Rapids.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Humpback Whales

September 28:

10:30 am Humpback was spotted northward bound by the Campbell River fishing pier.

Radio

Humpback Whale

Septtember 17, 2011

Photo: Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

11 am A Humpback whale was by Kanish Bay above Campbell River Southbound. (uncertain if it was the same whale or not – SM)

Benito

4:10 pm Humpback Whale by Plumper Cove doing circles.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

September 27:

8:45 am A Humpback Whale was Southbound by Brown's Bay. (Later reports of the whale was missed – my apologies. SM)

Carl

September 25:

11:45 am Humpback Whale Northbound by Vansittart Point.

Elvis

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

September 28:

3:45 pm 6 Pacific White Sided Dolphins who did not want to have anything to do with us, were by Surge Narrows.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 27:

9 am 50 to 60 Pacific White Sided Dolphins were active around Kanish Bay, just above Campbell River.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

September 16, 2011

Photo: Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

September 25:

12:20 pm Pacific White Sided Dolphins were reported by Kelsey Bay.

Radio

Dall's and Harbour Porpoise

11:15 am The Transients chased a couple of Dall's Porpoise who seemed to evade them close in to shore.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

5 pm – 6 pm The Orca were close to Shelter Point close to Vancouver Island stil headed south to Oyster Bay. There were two other whales who joined the 4 Transients. No ID's on the joiners. But they all continued slowly Southbound. There were a couple of Harbour Porpoise around also, but they didn't seem to pay attention.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 25:

12:10 pm Around 12 Dall's Porpoise were Southbound by Greensey Bay.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures