August 26 2006, Seasmoke reports:
This afternoon MV Cetacea saw all the same animals plus a group of 4 Transient Orcas known as the T18 group while SV Tuan saw the Transients as well as some of the I31 pod foraging nearby. The Orcas were vocal off and on all day long and engaged in relaxed social behaviour and some foraging. Guests aboad Tuan had 2 very unexpected wildlife encounters on the way home, 1 being bowriding Dall's Porpoises, and 2 being another group of Transient Orcas right between our departure points of Alder and Alert Bay. These animals were T2B, and the T60's. Their blows were clearly illuminated against the bright low sun on the calm sea. A beautiful way to end the day.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
26 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
While most of the resident orcas were at the beaches the T18s plus maybe T124C passed by on the Cracroft Island side. When they were opposite Boat Bay Jared Towers witnessed the I33s pop up just 200 to 300 metres away. The transients sped away to the west and into Blackney Pass. As they reached Blackfish we could hear the I31s (the I33s) leading the rest of the resident groups to the west. Just before dark they were off Telegraph Cove. Where they have gone since is a but of a mystery. The last faint and very distant calls were heard just after 8pm. Did the strong ebb tide encourage them to leave via Weynton? A fishing opening today has increased the boat noise in the Strait making it hard to hear any distant calls.
Helena
26 Aug 2006 22:52:21 PDT
No orcas present.
While most of the resident orcas were at the beaches the T18s plus maybe T124C passed by on the Cracroft Island side. When they were opposite Boat Bay Jared Towers witnessed the I33s pop up just 200 to 300 metres away. The transients sped away to the west and into Blackney Pass. As they reached Blackfish we could hear the I31s (the I33s) leading the rest of the resident groups to the west. Just before dark they were off Telegraph Cove. Where they have gone since is a but of a mystery. The last faint and very distant calls were heard just after 8pm. Did the strong ebb tide encourage them to leave via Weynton? A fishing opening today has increased the boat noise in the Strait making it hard to hear any distant calls.
Helena
26 Aug 2006 22:52:21 PDT
Monday, August 21, 2006
21 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
After the resident groups met & socialised they headed east out of the Reserve and continued with the flood tide. Just recently a small group of transients were spotted off Blinkhorn in the Strait. They crossed to the Hanson side and then through Blackney Pass and "up" Baronet Passage. We caught a glimpse of them as they moved along the Blackney pass side of Cracroft Island before disappearing.
Helena
21 Aug 2006 17:24:06 PDT
No orcas present.
All is pretty quiet. The transients (the T12s) turned around and went back out to the Strait and carried on to the west around 6pm. We have not heard the residents return.
Helena
21 Aug 2006 22:45:59 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
After the resident groups met & socialised they headed east out of the Reserve and continued with the flood tide. Just recently a small group of transients were spotted off Blinkhorn in the Strait. They crossed to the Hanson side and then through Blackney Pass and "up" Baronet Passage. We caught a glimpse of them as they moved along the Blackney pass side of Cracroft Island before disappearing.
Helena
21 Aug 2006 17:24:06 PDT
No orcas present.
All is pretty quiet. The transients (the T12s) turned around and went back out to the Strait and carried on to the west around 6pm. We have not heard the residents return.
Helena
21 Aug 2006 22:45:59 PDT
Sunday, August 20, 2006
20 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
Multiple pod calls audible.
To catch up: the A12s,A4s and the A5s are westbound in Johnstone Strait. After quick, on the fly, rubs they past the Ecological Reserve and Boat Bay. CP watched the A24s and the A35s pass on their side . The whales are spread out across the Strait still pretty much in the Kaikash Creek and CP area. And they are having a bite to eat. The surprise of the day were the transients (T11,T11A and possibly two others) who turned up suddenly at the eastern end of Hanson Island. They went west quickly ahead of the advance of the resident orcas who were passing Critical Point at the time. They have since been sighted in Bauza Cove. The Cs and Ds and the I35s have been reported eastbound by the Roller Bay nearPort Hardy.
Helena
20 Aug 2006 16:16:17 PDT
T11 and T11a Photo made by Jared Towers
Multiple pod calls audible.
To catch up: the A12s,A4s and the A5s are westbound in Johnstone Strait. After quick, on the fly, rubs they past the Ecological Reserve and Boat Bay. CP watched the A24s and the A35s pass on their side . The whales are spread out across the Strait still pretty much in the Kaikash Creek and CP area. And they are having a bite to eat. The surprise of the day were the transients (T11,T11A and possibly two others) who turned up suddenly at the eastern end of Hanson Island. They went west quickly ahead of the advance of the resident orcas who were passing Critical Point at the time. They have since been sighted in Bauza Cove. The Cs and Ds and the I35s have been reported eastbound by the Roller Bay nearPort Hardy.
Helena
20 Aug 2006 16:16:17 PDT
T11 and T11a Photo made by Jared Towers
Friday, August 11, 2006
11 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
The resident orcas who came during the night have remained east all day. A fairly large group of transients (the T100s) turned up off Donegal Head this morning. The went west toward Alet Bay and Port McNeill and then turned around and headed for Alder Bay and Beaver Cove. They were identified by DFO. The fishing opening will close at 6pm so we anticipate the area to be a little less busy tonight.
Helena
11 Aug 2006 16:40:01 PDT
Superb sounds!!
The Ds, Cs & A30s have returned from the east and are now off Robson Bight. Nick Templeton of Painter's Lodge reported tonight that the I15s were on their way through Seymour Narrows (north of Campbell River) on the slack tide while the A12s, A24s & A11s had been in Frederick Arm (also very far east). The Bs were in Nodales (also very far east) The A36s and the Gs were also seen in the east today. The T100s continued to tour the area. After nearing the Reserve they turned and headed back west. They were last seen by the Blue Fjord around 8:30pm off the Nimpkish River opposite Alert Bay.
Helena
11 Aug 2006 22:00:21 PDT
No orcas present.
The resident orcas who came during the night have remained east all day. A fairly large group of transients (the T100s) turned up off Donegal Head this morning. The went west toward Alet Bay and Port McNeill and then turned around and headed for Alder Bay and Beaver Cove. They were identified by DFO. The fishing opening will close at 6pm so we anticipate the area to be a little less busy tonight.
Helena
11 Aug 2006 16:40:01 PDT
Superb sounds!!
The Ds, Cs & A30s have returned from the east and are now off Robson Bight. Nick Templeton of Painter's Lodge reported tonight that the I15s were on their way through Seymour Narrows (north of Campbell River) on the slack tide while the A12s, A24s & A11s had been in Frederick Arm (also very far east). The Bs were in Nodales (also very far east) The A36s and the Gs were also seen in the east today. The T100s continued to tour the area. After nearing the Reserve they turned and headed back west. They were last seen by the Blue Fjord around 8:30pm off the Nimpkish River opposite Alert Bay.
Helena
11 Aug 2006 22:00:21 PDT
Friday, August 04, 2006
04 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
The T18s just went by - they are the same group that went into Johnstone Strait yesterday. This morning they headed back to the west, past CP and into Blackney Pass. We also heard that the residents are still east near Camp Point. The good news is that they are west bound.
Helena
04 Aug 2006 12:02:21 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
The T18s just went by - they are the same group that went into Johnstone Strait yesterday. This morning they headed back to the west, past CP and into Blackney Pass. We also heard that the residents are still east near Camp Point. The good news is that they are west bound.
Helena
04 Aug 2006 12:02:21 PDT
Thursday, August 03, 2006
03 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
The whales who went past the beaches last night at around 11pm have not yet returned to the western part of johnstone strait. There were sketchy reports of groups in Nodales and Frederick Arm this morning. Meanwhile, a group of transients (the T18s) turned up off the White Cliff Islands. This may have been the same group reported in Knight Inlet yesterday. The T18s went through Weynton Passage (seems to be the prefered route these days) and east in Johnstone Strait. We also heard that the Bs may have exited the area yesterday via Goletas Channel (near Port Hardy). On review of the tape from the day they came into Johnstone Strait we think the A36s may have been there as well.
Helena
03 Aug 2006 16:22:09 PDT
No orcas present.
The whales who went past the beaches last night at around 11pm have not yet returned to the western part of johnstone strait. There were sketchy reports of groups in Nodales and Frederick Arm this morning. Meanwhile, a group of transients (the T18s) turned up off the White Cliff Islands. This may have been the same group reported in Knight Inlet yesterday. The T18s went through Weynton Passage (seems to be the prefered route these days) and east in Johnstone Strait. We also heard that the Bs may have exited the area yesterday via Goletas Channel (near Port Hardy). On review of the tape from the day they came into Johnstone Strait we think the A36s may have been there as well.
Helena
03 Aug 2006 16:22:09 PDT
Monday, July 24, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
14 July 2006, Seasmoke reports:
About a mile away from us at this time were 2 male transient Orcas that we couldn't identify. We followed them through the open water of central Queen Charlotte Strait as they cruised along slowly. 1 of them had its large dorsal fin bent right over while the other's dorsal fin was a little bit crooked as well. After spending 20 years of encountering all 3 eco-types of killer whales in these waters it was very exciting for us to see these animals here as we may never see them again.
14 July 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
The resident groups (the A12s,A36s,A4s and A8s) stayed far to the east today. Two transients wandered Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
14 Jul 2006 22:41:44 PDT
About a mile away from us at this time were 2 male transient Orcas that we couldn't identify. We followed them through the open water of central Queen Charlotte Strait as they cruised along slowly. 1 of them had its large dorsal fin bent right over while the other's dorsal fin was a little bit crooked as well. After spending 20 years of encountering all 3 eco-types of killer whales in these waters it was very exciting for us to see these animals here as we may never see them again.
14 July 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
The resident groups (the A12s,A36s,A4s and A8s) stayed far to the east today. Two transients wandered Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
14 Jul 2006 22:41:44 PDT
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Orca Network report:
5-7 transients heading North in the Strait of Georgia - off Georgina Point. There was one adult male, several females and one calf. They were travelling in a group and then spread out, with 2 animals trailing behind (hence I am not entirely sure of the number. No positive ID on them, my photos are from the wrong side..... but I have some pretty clear ones, so I will send them to John Ford and Graeme Ellis to see if they can id them. I will check later if I can id them once downloaded. None of the females looked to have any very visible nicks, but that is just from observation from the small LCD screen on my camera, will have to check them out on the screen.
Ellen
Steveston Seabreeze Adventures, Richmond
5-7 transients heading North in the Strait of Georgia - off Georgina Point. There was one adult male, several females and one calf. They were travelling in a group and then spread out, with 2 animals trailing behind (hence I am not entirely sure of the number. No positive ID on them, my photos are from the wrong side..... but I have some pretty clear ones, so I will send them to John Ford and Graeme Ellis to see if they can id them. I will check later if I can id them once downloaded. None of the females looked to have any very visible nicks, but that is just from observation from the small LCD screen on my camera, will have to check them out on the screen.
Ellen
Steveston Seabreeze Adventures, Richmond
Sunday, June 04, 2006
4 June 2006, Cetaceanlab reports:
We had a report of 2 humpback whales traveling close to our home so we quickly packed the camera, put on rain gear and out the door. We decided that one of us would go out in the boat and the other would stay behind and listen for calls on the hydrophone. I was just leaving the bay in our boat and I could hear Hermann yelling “STOP STOP” I thought there must be something wrong with the boat so shut down immediately. Then I saw this 6 foot black dorsal break the stillness of the water, to follow a female orca, most likely mother and son. Slowly I traveled towards them. They were very relaxed and I was able to get a few excellent ID pictures. Turned out to be 2 transient orcas, T11 and T11A. After following them for a short time I saw 2 more blows, at least 20 feet high so had to be the humpbacks reported earl;ier. Traveled towards them and within minutes recognized these 2 large resident whales. They have been in this area , always together, for weeks now. Then another report on the radio, a family of orcas traveling down Whale channel. This group turned out to be a family of resident orcas, the A42s. They were traveling so close to shore and very quiet, not a single call.
We had a report of 2 humpback whales traveling close to our home so we quickly packed the camera, put on rain gear and out the door. We decided that one of us would go out in the boat and the other would stay behind and listen for calls on the hydrophone. I was just leaving the bay in our boat and I could hear Hermann yelling “STOP STOP” I thought there must be something wrong with the boat so shut down immediately. Then I saw this 6 foot black dorsal break the stillness of the water, to follow a female orca, most likely mother and son. Slowly I traveled towards them. They were very relaxed and I was able to get a few excellent ID pictures. Turned out to be 2 transient orcas, T11 and T11A. After following them for a short time I saw 2 more blows, at least 20 feet high so had to be the humpbacks reported earl;ier. Traveled towards them and within minutes recognized these 2 large resident whales. They have been in this area , always together, for weeks now. Then another report on the radio, a family of orcas traveling down Whale channel. This group turned out to be a family of resident orcas, the A42s. They were traveling so close to shore and very quiet, not a single call.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
Yesterday, we had a group of 7 transients head south through Blackney Pass. They were too far away for a proper ID. They bucked the tide all the way into Johnstone Strait where Jim on the Gikumi tried to get the necessary photos for later identification. They were silent but this may have been the same group we heard in the Strait three days ago. A group of seven were seen the day after in one of the close by waterways by the Island Odyssey. There were no males but there were two young calves and the group seemed to be interested in something in the water. stopping, changing direstion several times. When they were in Blackney Pass they passed the Parson Island Light and the seals sunning themselves on the rocks nearby. The seals stayed glued to the rocks.
Helena & Paul
31 May 2006 09:52:25 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
Yesterday, we had a group of 7 transients head south through Blackney Pass. They were too far away for a proper ID. They bucked the tide all the way into Johnstone Strait where Jim on the Gikumi tried to get the necessary photos for later identification. They were silent but this may have been the same group we heard in the Strait three days ago. A group of seven were seen the day after in one of the close by waterways by the Island Odyssey. There were no males but there were two young calves and the group seemed to be interested in something in the water. stopping, changing direstion several times. When they were in Blackney Pass they passed the Parson Island Light and the seals sunning themselves on the rocks nearby. The seals stayed glued to the rocks.
Helena & Paul
31 May 2006 09:52:25 PDT
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Orcanetwork reports:
16 February 2006
@ 16:30 4 small groups (aprox. 12 animals in total) of orca heading north into Discoverey Passage , Campbell River, BC. 2 bulls 10+ small fins, travalling.
Chaos
Eagle Eye Adventures
Orcalab reports
No orcas present.
We've heard no "resident" calls at all during the past month, but we did hear transient orcas calling in Robson Bight yesterday afternoon as a large group (about 16) passed through Johnstone Strait, heading west.
Paul & Helena
18 Feb 2006 20:09:43 PST
16 February 2006
@ 16:30 4 small groups (aprox. 12 animals in total) of orca heading north into Discoverey Passage , Campbell River, BC. 2 bulls 10+ small fins, travalling.
Chaos
Eagle Eye Adventures
Orcalab reports
No orcas present.
We've heard no "resident" calls at all during the past month, but we did hear transient orcas calling in Robson Bight yesterday afternoon as a large group (about 16) passed through Johnstone Strait, heading west.
Paul & Helena
18 Feb 2006 20:09:43 PST
Monday, November 21, 2005
21 November Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
Hello, everyone! Just after the sun rose over the mountains on this lovely morning, we saw misty blows in Blackney Pass, then the black shapes of orca dorsal fins appeared in the sun's glare! We only had one more glimpse of them as they headed into Blackfish Sound, but saw enough to conclude that they were transients. The group of 4 consisted of 1 adult male, 2 females & a juvenile. They weren't vocal. After more than 2 weeks without sighting orcas, this was an exciting way to start our day!
Paul & Helena
21 Nov 2005 09:42:44 PST
No calls but orcas nearby
Hello, everyone! Just after the sun rose over the mountains on this lovely morning, we saw misty blows in Blackney Pass, then the black shapes of orca dorsal fins appeared in the sun's glare! We only had one more glimpse of them as they headed into Blackfish Sound, but saw enough to conclude that they were transients. The group of 4 consisted of 1 adult male, 2 females & a juvenile. They weren't vocal. After more than 2 weeks without sighting orcas, this was an exciting way to start our day!
Paul & Helena
21 Nov 2005 09:42:44 PST
Friday, October 21, 2005
21 October Orcalab reports
No calls but orcas nearby
A very stormy day. A group of transients are working the area off of Parson Island. They were first seen heading south but then stalled and are now going back and forth in about the same place as first seen. At least one male and maybe 2 -3 others.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 10:19:56 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
We have lost track of the transients. One minute it looked like they had pulled away from whatever was interesting them and were angling over towards us. Then we couldn't find them again. There were no calls.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 11:27:57 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
A very stormy day. A group of transients are working the area off of Parson Island. They were first seen heading south but then stalled and are now going back and forth in about the same place as first seen. At least one male and maybe 2 -3 others.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 10:19:56 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
We have lost track of the transients. One minute it looked like they had pulled away from whatever was interesting them and were angling over towards us. Then we couldn't find them again. There were no calls.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 11:27:57 PDT
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
27 September Orcalab reports:
12:33 PDT Superb sounds!!
We're listening to Transients. They're in the entrance of Blackney. On Channel A
14:12 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The transients who were busy a short while ago in the entrance of Blackney Pass have moved to the east of CP. From the glimpse we had as they passed CP we think they may have been the T18s.
14:46 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The T18s slowly made their way to the Sophia's and after some milling around were last seen heading east along the shore.
12:33 PDT Superb sounds!!
We're listening to Transients. They're in the entrance of Blackney. On Channel A
14:12 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The transients who were busy a short while ago in the entrance of Blackney Pass have moved to the east of CP. From the glimpse we had as they passed CP we think they may have been the T18s.
14:46 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The T18s slowly made their way to the Sophia's and after some milling around were last seen heading east along the shore.
Friday, September 23, 2005
23 September Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
We've heard no calls today. However, orcas were not very far away. The A36s were sighted by the Naiad Explorer (Mackay Whalewatching) in Goletas Channel near Port Hardy, and a group of transient orcas that included the T2s was sighted by the Gikumi (Stubbs Island Whalewatching) in eastern Baronet Passage, a little to the east of us.
Paul
23 Sep 2005 22:56:16 PDT
No orcas present.
We've heard no calls today. However, orcas were not very far away. The A36s were sighted by the Naiad Explorer (Mackay Whalewatching) in Goletas Channel near Port Hardy, and a group of transient orcas that included the T2s was sighted by the Gikumi (Stubbs Island Whalewatching) in eastern Baronet Passage, a little to the east of us.
Paul
23 Sep 2005 22:56:16 PDT
Friday, September 16, 2005
Transients in Chattam Sound
Today we went whalewatching with Prince Rupert Adventure Tours.
Our goal was to see humpback whales but we started with a group a 3 Transients!
The group consists of 2 males and 1 females. This group was the T170 group.
I have one positive ID of T170.
The female was speeding with 12 knots.
According to Gream Ellis the female was T172 and the other male was T171.
We saw the transients at position 54-18N 130-37W in Chattam Sound, heading south.
Click here to watch the videoclip 'a Transient speeding'
Our goal was to see humpback whales but we started with a group a 3 Transients!
The group consists of 2 males and 1 females. This group was the T170 group.
I have one positive ID of T170.
The female was speeding with 12 knots.
According to Gream Ellis the female was T172 and the other male was T171.
We saw the transients at position 54-18N 130-37W in Chattam Sound, heading south.
Click here to watch the videoclip 'a Transient speeding'
16 September Orcalab reports:
Distant calls audible.
The A30s moved off to the west from Blackney Pass a while ago, but have now turned back to the east again. They are visibler on Channel A. We're hearing their calls on the Parson Island Hydrophone. The other groups decided to head north through Weynton Pass, against the flooding tide. Some of them are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound, others are still in Weynton Pass. We're hearing G clan calls in the distance on the Flower Island hydrophone. Meanwhile, a group of transients has been sighted off Bold Head... they are now heading towards the Penfolds.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 14:17:09 PDT
Distant calls audible.
The A30s moved off to the west from Blackney Pass a while ago, but have now turned back to the east again. They are visibler on Channel A. We're hearing their calls on the Parson Island Hydrophone. The other groups decided to head north through Weynton Pass, against the flooding tide. Some of them are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound, others are still in Weynton Pass. We're hearing G clan calls in the distance on the Flower Island hydrophone. Meanwhile, a group of transients has been sighted off Bold Head... they are now heading towards the Penfolds.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 14:17:09 PDT
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
14 September Orcalab reports:
Boat noise
As the boat noise continues, a group of orcas has been sighted heading west, mid Strait, off the Sophias. They may be visible from CP soon.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 09:57:30 PDT
Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The westbound orcas turned out to be a group of transients, the T18s. They have headed into Blackney Pass & are now moving quickly north through it.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 10:51:15 PDT
Distant calls audible.
We believe the I15s , A30s and A12s are coming west. Just now they stalled off the western boundry in the Reserve. The I31s are apparently near Kelsey Bay and the transients have continued west toward Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
14 Sep 2005 13:38:35 PDT
Boat noise
As the boat noise continues, a group of orcas has been sighted heading west, mid Strait, off the Sophias. They may be visible from CP soon.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 09:57:30 PDT
Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The westbound orcas turned out to be a group of transients, the T18s. They have headed into Blackney Pass & are now moving quickly north through it.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 10:51:15 PDT
Distant calls audible.
We believe the I15s , A30s and A12s are coming west. Just now they stalled off the western boundry in the Reserve. The I31s are apparently near Kelsey Bay and the transients have continued west toward Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
14 Sep 2005 13:38:35 PDT
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
