20 July 2007, Cetaceanlab reports:
The next morning it happened all over again except with a different group of transients. They also hunted down a Dall’s then sharing this meal for a short period of time. It was what happened later that was interesting. They had initially come from the south and traveled north in Whale Channel to Camp Island, this is when they made the kill. After they turned back south and traveled to a local sea lion rock. On the rock there were about 30 young sea lions, females and a few old males. The transients came very close to the rock, circling it 3 times. The sea lions at first were slightly calm but by the second time the orcas were circling they began to panic and soon the frenzy began and they all, except the males, began to jump off the rock into the water. We thought for sure there was to be another kill but these sea lions then joined into a very tight group close to the rock. The transients then traveled on but it was inspiring to watch the technique they used, similar to a pack of wolves, causing panic among their prey.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
19 July 2007, Cetaceanlab reports:
We were with a couple of humpback whale trying to get an ID photo when Cara from KPL called to report one lone female orca. She said the whale was traveling close to the Campania shoreline heading north. We happened to be just north of that location so decided to just sit and wait with the hydrophone in the water. Not even twenty minutes had passed and there was a blow, followed by another. There were 2 females close to the boat, followed by another female and her 2 calves. We were just wondering if these were transients when the leading females did a dive, next thing they were leaping through the air around our boat in pursuit of a Dall’s porpoise. They made the kill very quickly; the two females only fed for a moment and then left the rest for the female and her calves. For the next 40 minutes we watched in wonder as this mother would actually hold onto this meal with her mouth and the two calves would follow her to feed. At one point they had all disappeared for over 5 minutes. Then the mother appeared right under our boat and surfaced just a few feet away, then again, this time with the older calf right at her side, totally taking a look at us in our boat. I can honestly say my throat was so tight I could not speak. I really was not sure how to interpret this encounter except to say the feeling within me to have a transient orca choose to come so close with her calf is to feel complete for that moment.
We were with a couple of humpback whale trying to get an ID photo when Cara from KPL called to report one lone female orca. She said the whale was traveling close to the Campania shoreline heading north. We happened to be just north of that location so decided to just sit and wait with the hydrophone in the water. Not even twenty minutes had passed and there was a blow, followed by another. There were 2 females close to the boat, followed by another female and her 2 calves. We were just wondering if these were transients when the leading females did a dive, next thing they were leaping through the air around our boat in pursuit of a Dall’s porpoise. They made the kill very quickly; the two females only fed for a moment and then left the rest for the female and her calves. For the next 40 minutes we watched in wonder as this mother would actually hold onto this meal with her mouth and the two calves would follow her to feed. At one point they had all disappeared for over 5 minutes. Then the mother appeared right under our boat and surfaced just a few feet away, then again, this time with the older calf right at her side, totally taking a look at us in our boat. I can honestly say my throat was so tight I could not speak. I really was not sure how to interpret this encounter except to say the feeling within me to have a transient orca choose to come so close with her calf is to feel complete for that moment.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
14 July 2007, Orcalab reports
No orcas present.
The 5 year Springer Reunion is in progress in Telegraph Cove and there are a lot of fingers crossed that she and her family and friends will come back from eastern Johnstone Strait by this afternoon. All was quiet over night (except boat noise, of course) and so we believe they are still east. Yesterday, T14 went through the area generating some excitment.
Helena
14 Jul 2007 09:03:51 PDT
No orcas present.
The 5 year Springer Reunion is in progress in Telegraph Cove and there are a lot of fingers crossed that she and her family and friends will come back from eastern Johnstone Strait by this afternoon. All was quiet over night (except boat noise, of course) and so we believe they are still east. Yesterday, T14 went through the area generating some excitment.
Helena
14 Jul 2007 09:03:51 PDT
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
11 July 2007, Cetacean lab reports:
I had just anchored the boat and canoed back to shore when a report of 6 orcas came over the radio. Hermann decided he would go out in the boat and I would remain here and listen for any calls to come over the hydrophone station. He called within 15 minutes and reported that they were Transient Orcas for sure. They had just taken a long dive and he was patiently waiting for them to surface to take identification pictures. Over 30 minutes later he still had not seen them. I was still at home waiting for any calls when suddenly; looking through our living room window I saw 2 orcas flying through the air in hot pursuit of a Dall’s porpoise. I ran to the radio phone and called Hermann. At this exact same time a different group of transient orcas had surfaced right beside his boat and were also heading in the direction of action bay, better known as Taylor Bight. Looking back we now realize that what they had done is come in as one group then split in to 2 separate groups looking for prey. Once the first group had started the hunt this second group then arrived to share the meal. During the time of this hunt these 2 groups were 2 kilometers apart. The hunt lasted 15 minutes and was extremely dynamic. Then everything calmed right back down, they all came back together and after feeding traveled slowly towards the west.
I had just anchored the boat and canoed back to shore when a report of 6 orcas came over the radio. Hermann decided he would go out in the boat and I would remain here and listen for any calls to come over the hydrophone station. He called within 15 minutes and reported that they were Transient Orcas for sure. They had just taken a long dive and he was patiently waiting for them to surface to take identification pictures. Over 30 minutes later he still had not seen them. I was still at home waiting for any calls when suddenly; looking through our living room window I saw 2 orcas flying through the air in hot pursuit of a Dall’s porpoise. I ran to the radio phone and called Hermann. At this exact same time a different group of transient orcas had surfaced right beside his boat and were also heading in the direction of action bay, better known as Taylor Bight. Looking back we now realize that what they had done is come in as one group then split in to 2 separate groups looking for prey. Once the first group had started the hunt this second group then arrived to share the meal. During the time of this hunt these 2 groups were 2 kilometers apart. The hunt lasted 15 minutes and was extremely dynamic. Then everything calmed right back down, they all came back together and after feeding traveled slowly towards the west.
Friday, June 22, 2007
22 June 2007, Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
A small group of transients went through Blackney Pass this morning headed to Blackfish Sound. Two days ago, Jared Towers reported that T20,21 59, 59A, 59A1 were eastbound in Johnstone Strait. Humpbacks,minke, dolphins and dalls porpoise continue to be a daily presence.
Helena
22 Jun 2007 08:29:26 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
A small group of transients went through Blackney Pass this morning headed to Blackfish Sound. Two days ago, Jared Towers reported that T20,21 59, 59A, 59A1 were eastbound in Johnstone Strait. Humpbacks,minke, dolphins and dalls porpoise continue to be a daily presence.
Helena
22 Jun 2007 08:29:26 PDT
Saturday, June 09, 2007
9 June 2007, Cetaceanlab reports:
We were just getting ready to do a whale survey when Hermann came running back from the beach, a group of Orca was already passing by the lab. He went to get the boat and I put together the camera and hydrophone equipment, within 10 minutes we were on our way. It was just past 6:30 am, the sun was already providing lots of light on the water. We were soon idling along beside this family of orca. It did not take long for us to realize they were Transient orca. The blows were soft, they were taking long dives and we could just sense that they were in hunting mode. We took some photo IDs, one juvenile that had an extremely injured dorsal. There was also one tiny new calf, from this year as it was still quite orange in color. We stayed with them as they followed the Gil Island shore to the west. Then Hermann mentioned that he thought he could see a blow near Ashdown. I looked and said “Oh I think that is a Humpback” I was wrong, there were 2 more groups or orca, going in a different direction then the family we were with. Our first thought was, could these other whales be Resident? It is always interesting and rare to have these 2 different populations of orca in the same area. We slowly made our way toward the first group, a very large male and a female. They came quite close to the boat, definitely Transient, we were able to ID them immediately. The male was T20 and the female T23. Suddenly they turned, right toward the boat, came past our stern only a few feet away, was magnificent!! We then looked for the first group and sure enough they had turned in the same direction, we looked for the 3rd group, same thing, they were now all headed to the south. Interesting how they do this, traveling miles apart and not a single call was heard, at least not by us. We decided to travel towards the third group of 3 females to take some photo IDs. Just as we approached they took a dive, we waited and waited, they just disappeared! After 30 minutes we gave up, even the other 2 group were gone. This is so common with Transients, one minute they are here next they are gone!
We were just getting ready to do a whale survey when Hermann came running back from the beach, a group of Orca was already passing by the lab. He went to get the boat and I put together the camera and hydrophone equipment, within 10 minutes we were on our way. It was just past 6:30 am, the sun was already providing lots of light on the water. We were soon idling along beside this family of orca. It did not take long for us to realize they were Transient orca. The blows were soft, they were taking long dives and we could just sense that they were in hunting mode. We took some photo IDs, one juvenile that had an extremely injured dorsal. There was also one tiny new calf, from this year as it was still quite orange in color. We stayed with them as they followed the Gil Island shore to the west. Then Hermann mentioned that he thought he could see a blow near Ashdown. I looked and said “Oh I think that is a Humpback” I was wrong, there were 2 more groups or orca, going in a different direction then the family we were with. Our first thought was, could these other whales be Resident? It is always interesting and rare to have these 2 different populations of orca in the same area. We slowly made our way toward the first group, a very large male and a female. They came quite close to the boat, definitely Transient, we were able to ID them immediately. The male was T20 and the female T23. Suddenly they turned, right toward the boat, came past our stern only a few feet away, was magnificent!! We then looked for the first group and sure enough they had turned in the same direction, we looked for the 3rd group, same thing, they were now all headed to the south. Interesting how they do this, traveling miles apart and not a single call was heard, at least not by us. We decided to travel towards the third group of 3 females to take some photo IDs. Just as we approached they took a dive, we waited and waited, they just disappeared! After 30 minutes we gave up, even the other 2 group were gone. This is so common with Transients, one minute they are here next they are gone!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
31 May 2007, Orcalab reports
No orcas present.
An interesting postscript: about 9 transients were seen heading west past Port McNeill around 7:45pm. This was possibly a different group from the group who were vocal in Blackfish Sound just 20 minutes earlier. Thanks to Bill and Donna MacKay for the report. Busy night!
Helena
31 May 2007 20:23:15 PDT
No orcas present.
An interesting postscript: about 9 transients were seen heading west past Port McNeill around 7:45pm. This was possibly a different group from the group who were vocal in Blackfish Sound just 20 minutes earlier. Thanks to Bill and Donna MacKay for the report. Busy night!
Helena
31 May 2007 20:23:15 PDT
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
16 May 2007, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
A couple of sightings to add. On May 14th the same group of transients came back into Blackney Pass later in the day. Farewell Harbour, out for their first sport fishing of the season spotted them in the entrance of Blackney Pass and gave us the heads up. It was early evening but we were able to watch the group travel north through the Pass. Then yesterday, the Lukwa (Stubbs Island), on the lookout for a reported humpback, found the T2s in Weynton Pass very close to some Dalls Porpoise. Further north, there have been a few northern resident encounters off the central coast. It certainly feels as if the season is beginning to ramp up!
Helena
16 May 2007 13:19:17
No orcas present.
A couple of sightings to add. On May 14th the same group of transients came back into Blackney Pass later in the day. Farewell Harbour, out for their first sport fishing of the season spotted them in the entrance of Blackney Pass and gave us the heads up. It was early evening but we were able to watch the group travel north through the Pass. Then yesterday, the Lukwa (Stubbs Island), on the lookout for a reported humpback, found the T2s in Weynton Pass very close to some Dalls Porpoise. Further north, there have been a few northern resident encounters off the central coast. It certainly feels as if the season is beginning to ramp up!
Helena
16 May 2007 13:19:17
Monday, May 14, 2007
14 May 2007, Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
Cruise ships and cruising transients this morning! A group of 5 transients were in Blackney Pass from 6:15 to about 7am. They headed north and at 8:15am they were mid channel at the western end of Blackfish Sound pointed toward Donegal Head. There were no calls and the group had one male and 4 others.
Helena
14 May 2007 08:45:43 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
Cruise ships and cruising transients this morning! A group of 5 transients were in Blackney Pass from 6:15 to about 7am. They headed north and at 8:15am they were mid channel at the western end of Blackfish Sound pointed toward Donegal Head. There were no calls and the group had one male and 4 others.
Helena
14 May 2007 08:45:43 PDT
Friday, May 11, 2007
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
Friday, May 04, 2007
Superb sounds!!
We just had a long session with very vocal and visable transtients (4) in Blackney Pass. Their behaviours and the numerous gulls circling about suggests they must have completed a successful hunt. They have now travelled into Blackfish Sound but are still vocal.
Helena
04 May 2007 19:57:34 PDT
We just had a long session with very vocal and visable transtients (4) in Blackney Pass. Their behaviours and the numerous gulls circling about suggests they must have completed a successful hunt. They have now travelled into Blackfish Sound but are still vocal.
Helena
04 May 2007 19:57:34 PDT
Thursday, May 03, 2007
No calls but orcas nearby
A group of 4 transients just passed south through Blackney Pass. One male accompanied 2 females and a calf. They were for a time very interested in a sealion but we don't believe they made a kill. The other sealions clustered in the water became quite agitated as the transients passed. Things have since settled down.
Helena
03 May 2007 08:14:38 PDT
A group of 4 transients just passed south through Blackney Pass. One male accompanied 2 females and a calf. They were for a time very interested in a sealion but we don't believe they made a kill. The other sealions clustered in the water became quite agitated as the transients passed. Things have since settled down.
Helena
03 May 2007 08:14:38 PDT
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Monday, March 05, 2007
05 March 2007, Cetaceanlab reports:
We had a small group of transient Orcas close to Taylor Bight and enjoyed a close encounter of a juvenile/young adult humpback whale that came very close to the shore of our Lab. We also had the first acoustic recording of a group of resident Orcas. In the morning of March 5th, we started hearing A-calls on our “Home” station. The whales were most likely traveling north in Squally Channel. It may have been a fairly large group and we were able to determine that an A1 group was present (most likely the A36s), and a B,C,D group. It was a pleasant surprise for us to listen to the B,C,D Orcas as we never had them this early in the season in our study area.
We had a small group of transient Orcas close to Taylor Bight and enjoyed a close encounter of a juvenile/young adult humpback whale that came very close to the shore of our Lab. We also had the first acoustic recording of a group of resident Orcas. In the morning of March 5th, we started hearing A-calls on our “Home” station. The whales were most likely traveling north in Squally Channel. It may have been a fairly large group and we were able to determine that an A1 group was present (most likely the A36s), and a B,C,D group. It was a pleasant surprise for us to listen to the B,C,D Orcas as we never had them this early in the season in our study area.
Monday, January 29, 2007
29 January 2007, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
There was a lot that happened today. The I33s along with I46 and I80 went through Blackney Pass as reported and then headed east. The I35s (the other members of the I31s) unexpectedly turned up off Cracroft Point and went west. We are not sure if they had followed the others in un-noticed and then went on their own way. Just as this was happening several transients were also westboud further "up" the Strait. They went out via Alert Bay. It is a crazy amount of activity for this time of year. The day was gorgeous and if we weren'ty having to wear our sweaters and warm clothes we might believe it was summer!
Helena
29 Jan 2007 18:48:11 PST
No orcas present.
There was a lot that happened today. The I33s along with I46 and I80 went through Blackney Pass as reported and then headed east. The I35s (the other members of the I31s) unexpectedly turned up off Cracroft Point and went west. We are not sure if they had followed the others in un-noticed and then went on their own way. Just as this was happening several transients were also westboud further "up" the Strait. They went out via Alert Bay. It is a crazy amount of activity for this time of year. The day was gorgeous and if we weren'ty having to wear our sweaters and warm clothes we might believe it was summer!
Helena
29 Jan 2007 18:48:11 PST
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