Amazing day with T's today. Dave Ellifrit was also there representing the Center for Whale Resarch, so I'm sure you will get a fantastic report from him too. When our boats passed close, he was just grinning from ear to ear and rattling off ID's. I think he was in T heaven!
A group of approx 8 Transient Orcas was located on the east side of Prevost Island at approx 12:30 today. T102 was clearly recognizable in the group, along with several females and juveniles. They were travelling at about 8 knots, heading south. Then, off a ways to the south there were many more blows spotted. We had heard that J Pod was headed North, and the immediate reaction was that we were going to have a near pass of Resident and Transient Orcas. As we approached, the pointy tips of the dorsal fins, and the unmistakable lean of T19B's fin revealed there were even more T's in the area. I can't give you an exact count of the number as the various groups kept joining up, then seperating, but I would estimate there were about 20 whales altogether. The whales we ID'ed on scene and after the fact from photos were the T18's, T20 & T21, T100's, T101's and the T124's. A photo of T124D and company travelling together is attached. The Center for Whale Research was also on scene, so I am positive they will have a complete list of the whales that were present. We did see one kill during the time we spent with the T's - likely a seal as there was not much fuss at the surface, except for the seagulls looking for scraps. There was some social activity, some breaches and tailslaps, however, no vocals were heard. When we left the whales, most of the group was headed southwest, along the south side of Saltspring Island. What a magnificent show of power to have so many T's travelling together.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch
May 15
After leaving J pod and the K13's off Mitchell Bay, we recieved a report of 20 plus transients off Beaver Point on Saltspring Island B.C.At approximately 1:30 p.m., the T18's, T20's, T101's, T100's and the T124's were encountered by Dave Ellifrit and Erin Heydenreich of the Ctr. for Whale Research, the whales were traveling in a tight group (see photo) up Satellite Channel (48° 44 329N, 123° 22 990W). The encounter ended with the whales split up into groups heading toward the Swanson Narrows at 3:23 pm(48° 45 350N, 123° 34 163W).
From Center for Whale Research
MANY Transients!
Salt Spring Island
May 15, 2009
Photo by
Dave Ellifrit,
Center for Whale Research
