Unknown transients in JS with A36s

Photo credit: Jackie Hildering

Stubbs Island Whale watching reports

This is the second day in a row that Nature has provided us the opportunity to see both "transient" (mammal-eating) and "resident " (fish-eating) killer whales in the same area. This was another group of transients though - 4 mature females and a calf that were extremely challenging to identify as individuals. At the time of this report, we are still scrutinizing the photos to try to conclude who they were. The opportunity to identify transients is of such interest that we have sent through the images to Dr. John Ford and Graeme Ellis who are currently conducting whale research with his team on the Coast Guard vessel the J.P. Tully.

It was interesting to see the transients change their dive patterns when the A36 matriline of fish-eating killer whales become vocal. The transients started taking much longer dives and seemed to move to stay clear of where the A36s were foraging. The transients did not appear to be interested in feeding as many (lucky) Dalls porpoises were in the area oblivious of the presence of the stealthy transients.


Orcalab reports
Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A36s with A12 carried on past critical Point and just now we have heard someone in on the Beaches. They may be turning back west from there. Also, a group of 5 transients went south in Blackney pass and entered Johnstone Strait by 2:10pm. They have gone east.
Helena
24 Jul 2009 14:57:29 PDT

T2s

Stubbs Island Whale Watching reports
The word came in this morning, killer whales at Boat Bay! The first sighting was of a group of 6 Pacific white-sided dolphins moving very slowly, from their perspective, quietly, out of Boat Bay. A couple of minutes later a group of killer whales appeared, likewise moving with stealth. These were the T02 group of transient (marine mammal hunting) killer whales.

The remainder of the morning was spent following these transients who were on course to meet a group of resident fish-eating killer whales who were entering Johnstone Strait from Blackney Pass. A fascinating encounter for our guests, with both groups appearing to be aware of the others presence and consequently taking evasive action to avoid contact.

T2s

The T2s off Campbell River today.. :)
Aaron Webber@Campbell River
14 Jul 2009 21:43:20 PDT

Transients T020 and T021 in JS

No calls but orcas nearby

It is possible that the group of transients who were in Queen Charlotte Strait have appeared in Blackney Pass. There are 6, in two groups o 4 and 2. They are moving very slowly towards Johnstone Strait.
Helena
12 Jul 2009 19:45:43 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The male and female pair of transients has doubled back through Blackney Pass. They are on their way to Blackfish Sound. So far there is no sign of the other four. A12 gave a couple of calls before the transients exited Johnstone Strait. We have not heard her since so we don't know if she has kept going west. The tide is ebbing and so might encourage her to do so.
Helena
12 Jul 2009 21:33:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The evening gets more and more interesting. We heard transient calls briefly in Johnstone Strait. We were not able to source the calls other than generally.
Helena
12 Jul 2009 22:12:04 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Those last transient calls, a short while ago were in Johnstone Strait. This probably means, the group of four (two females, two juveniles, stayed straitside while the pair travelled north in Blackney Pass. We do not know where A12 might have gotten to..
Helena
12 Jul 2009 23:10:45 PDT

Seasmoke reports
With a report of possible inbound orcas from the Numas Islands we headed in that direction and were thrilled to see their dorsal fins ahead of us and west of the Foster Islands. The six orcas were traveling slowly together in a line and were very relaxed for Transient orcas. T020 and t021 were among those orcas sighted.

Transient T40
"Captain Hook"
off Juneau, SE Alaska
July 11, 2009
Photo by Eric Ogren

July 5 - 11
Last week saw T40 and four to five other transients in Endicott Arm two miles from Ford's Terror and a day later more transients in Endicott searching for seals. May have some good I'd shots of them as well as of a pod of at least 20 residents off Point Coke on our way to Juneau. Several babies who played in front of us until mama came and with audible vocalization appeared to be chastising them and took them away. Pictures when I return to Friday Harbor.
Shannon Bailey, MV Catalyst.

July 2009
My wife, daughter and I went out of Juneau on the Adventure Bound glacier tour boat and came across a couple of orcas on our way back to town. They appeared to be a male and female with the male having a large bend in his dorsal fin. We weren't able to get any saddle pics but thought his uniqueness might give him away.
Eric Ogren

Researchers at the Center for Whale Research confirmed my suspicion that this was Transient T40, or Captain Hook - sb

July 2009
A little more info. on this photo & report of T40 from yesterday's report:
The picture was taken 7/11 at approximately 5:25pm just outside of Taku inlet south of Juneau.
Eric Ogren

T40

Transients
Endicott Arm,
SE Alaska
July 10, 2009
Photo by
Shannon Bailey

July 9 - 10
Group of transients, with Captain Hook T-40 in lead on July 9 and on July 10 two hunting alone for seals among the ice bergs (with the eagle and the seal hiding out) - see photo above. The orcas hunt this area around floating ice coming from Dawes Glacier where the seals have pupped and are now molting.
Shannon Bailey, MV Catalyst

Uncatalogued Transients

No orcas present.

There weren't any resident orcas today but there was some transient activity near Port McNeill. These whales headed off to the west. The Department of Fisheries reported that these were unusual, uncatalogued, transients. This doesn't happen very often so this was exciting and interesting.
Helena
03 Jul 2009 23:19:40 PDT