No orcas present.
Sorry, the streaming is gone again for a bit while we sort out new IP addresses. Since yesterday, there is not much to report except around 5pm a group of at least 7 orcas passed CP on their way to the east. These whales were reported to have come in via Weynton Pass although there is some confusion as visual IDs were not available and the whales were not vocal. They passed on to Boat bay and then started to cross over toward the east end of the Reserve. As far as we know the I15s were eastbound on the Vancouver Island shore during this time. They also got to the beaches and from there we thinks they may have carried on to the east. But this is also not 100% clear as there were no calls to give additional clues after 8:08pm. We are waiting to see how the day unfolds. The A36s were the last vocal whales in Blackfish Sound yesterday evening (8pm) and they may still not be too far away as they seemed to not be entirely committed to leaving this area. There was a report a short while ago of 2 whales off of Lizard Point in Queen Charlotte Sound. Dolphins continue to tour the area and can be heard from time to time.
Helena
26 Aug 2009 09:47:37 PDT
Orcas hunting fish.
We've been listening to echolocation of the Critical Point hydrophone, and Marie at the Cliff reports a group of orcas in the Robson Bight estuary, heading west. A short whle ago, we heard distant G clan calls on CrPt, so it's possible the I15s (or another G clan group) are heading back from the east in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
26 Aug 2009 13:16:56 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
The A4s, A5s, A12s are all heading west past Robson Bight, possibly to join up with the I15s, who have been lazing around off (& inside) Blackney Pass for the past several hours.
Helena
26 Aug 2009 17:45:50 PDT
Orcas near mics.
A lot has been happening. We think the A12s,A35s and at least some of the A5s went west in Johnstone Strait and out htrough weynton Pass. We picked them up on the "other" side, at the top of Blackfish Sound just as the A30s were moving through Blackney Pass to the north and into Blackfish Sound. We could still hear an A4 group in the Strait and then traveling through Blackney Pass too. This sounded like the A11,A56 and A13's group. We are not sure what happened to the I15s after they poked their noses into Blackney Pass this afternoon. There were just a few calls before 6pm and then we lost track. Before the evening is over hopefully we will be able to account for all the groups.
Helena
26 Aug 2009 23:18:18 PDT
Seasmoke reports
When we headed out this afternoon change came today in the shape and form of se winds in Johnstone Strait. It had been reported that a group of orcas were heading to the west opposite the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve and so we headed in that direction along the Hanson Island side and encountered them nearing Cracroft Point. Here a small group of orcas were foraging in Blackney Passage while others were opposite on the Vancouver Island side. We believe that they were some of the I15’s, but identification of them was not easy due to wind and wave action. Several Pacific White-sided Dolphins were swimming among the orcas and this no doubt accounted for some long dives that were taken by the orcas.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Large Crowd
Multiple pod calls audible.
The very large "crowd" that was reported being in Queen Charlotte Strait yesterday, is beginning to arrive. This happens several hours after the A8s rushed out of Blackfish Sound. So far we have heard, the A30s, A4s,A5s and I15s.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 03:50:14 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Moving in... using every available route. We now are hearing Bs and possibly I31 calls already in Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass as the A4s move through Blackney on their way to the Strait as well. Getting very crowded!
Helena
25 Aug 2009 04:27:06 PDT
Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Some of the orcas have reached the rubbing beaches, others are in Robson Bight, others are headed east past Alert Bay, others are still coming. The movemenr is generally eastward.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 08:37:53 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Boy, this is busy! First a probable correction is needed. the Bs may not be there. It was a mistake of hearing the word "Bs" for "Ds" in the early morning. What is clear is that the A1s, A4s, and A5s came into Johnstone Strait along with the I15s and I31s between 4 and 5am. The Ds never seemed to come very far to the east so we are not sure where they are now. There is a sleepy group west bound between Alert Bay and Haddington Island on the Vancouver Island pointed toward Malcolm Island. This may be the C6s. There is another large group (whales everywhere today) between Cormorant Island and Malcolm Island heading toward Sointula. The Johnstone Strait whales are west bound from the beaches to Robson Bight spread out from the Cracroft Island shore to Vancouver Island. Whew! hang on to your hats!
Helena
25 Aug 2009 09:59:39 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
We now know a bit more of today's distribution: the C6s and G25s are the westbound,sleepy group headed to haddington island; the Ds (all) and I22/39 are the sointula group;the i33s just went by the Cliff a short while ago following the A36s. It is not clear where the the rest of the As and I15s are at the moment.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 10:44:42 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
the orca shuffle continues: westbound in the Strait are the A30s, A36s,I31s and the I15s. They are spread out from Little Kaikash (west of CP) back to Izumi Rock (the A30s,I15s and maybe part of the I31s along the Vacouver Island side, while the A36s and I33s are on the Cracroft Island side). Eastbound are most likely the A4s,A5s and A12s ,now past the Eve River
Helena
25 Aug 2009 11:12:56 PDT
Orcas near mics.
The I33s just went north through Blackney Pass and are now westbound in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 12:12:16 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
Here is another correction. The A30s are probably back with their regular company heading east at Hickey Point. (A12s,A4s,A5s and A30s). the two males seen on the Vancouver Island side ahead of the I15s earlier may have been the rest of the I31s (the I33s went north through Blackney Pass). the A36s ended up going through Weynton pass and we heard them as they crossed the top end of Blackfish Sound following the I33s out to the west. The I15s are currently off the entrance to Weynton pass deciding on their next move. The I31s may be with them. Complicated day to say the least.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 14:32:32 PDT
Seasmoke reports
What an exciting day it has been! Just moments after leaving the dock in Alert Bay this morning passengers were viewing orcas. Two groups of orcas who were identified as the C6’s and the G25’s. Both pods were travelling very slowly to the west, heading in the direction of Haddington Island when we left them to view other orcas in Cormorant Passage; the D7’s and the I22’s, possibly C10’s were among them. They were resting and we stayed a distance away which made identifying them more difficult. They had travelled via Pearse Passage taking the back route in behind Cormorant Island while the C6’s and the G25’s had carried on past Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. A Minke Whale was also sighted at this time. Travelling back via the Pearse Islands more orcas were sighted in the distance heading out through Weynton Passage, they were likely some of the I33’s who were heading out at this time. On the late afternoon Motor Cruise the weather had changed as had the movement of orcas in Johnstone Strait. Just as we were leaving the dock in Alder Bay the rain cleared and a most beautiful rainbow emerged arching directly across Johnstone Strait. Orcas were sighted travelling east in Johnstone Strait close along the Hanson Island side, they were moving quickly in the flood current, as were some 200+ Pacific White-sided Dolphins centre Strait, other orcas , the I15’s were heading east as well but closer to the Vancouver Island shore. It was amazing viewing, especially when another glorious rainbow emerged arching again across Johnstone Strait and the dolphins were in the middle with white water moving rapidly above them as they swam, a brilliant blue sky above and the brightness of the rainbow; it was a most remarkable and indelible image to have witnessed, with so many dolphins swimming inside of the rainbow. As we neared the south-east end of the Sophia Islands, the I15’s had crossed over, meeting up with the other G-Clan orcas. It is here that we left them and turing back, the seascape had turned to silver and the image of several female orca fins were etched wonderfully in a cloud formation ahead of us, not unlike those of the I15’s! It was an amazing and very special day of viewing.
The very large "crowd" that was reported being in Queen Charlotte Strait yesterday, is beginning to arrive. This happens several hours after the A8s rushed out of Blackfish Sound. So far we have heard, the A30s, A4s,A5s and I15s.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 03:50:14 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Moving in... using every available route. We now are hearing Bs and possibly I31 calls already in Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass as the A4s move through Blackney on their way to the Strait as well. Getting very crowded!
Helena
25 Aug 2009 04:27:06 PDT
Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Some of the orcas have reached the rubbing beaches, others are in Robson Bight, others are headed east past Alert Bay, others are still coming. The movemenr is generally eastward.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 08:37:53 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Boy, this is busy! First a probable correction is needed. the Bs may not be there. It was a mistake of hearing the word "Bs" for "Ds" in the early morning. What is clear is that the A1s, A4s, and A5s came into Johnstone Strait along with the I15s and I31s between 4 and 5am. The Ds never seemed to come very far to the east so we are not sure where they are now. There is a sleepy group west bound between Alert Bay and Haddington Island on the Vancouver Island pointed toward Malcolm Island. This may be the C6s. There is another large group (whales everywhere today) between Cormorant Island and Malcolm Island heading toward Sointula. The Johnstone Strait whales are west bound from the beaches to Robson Bight spread out from the Cracroft Island shore to Vancouver Island. Whew! hang on to your hats!
Helena
25 Aug 2009 09:59:39 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
We now know a bit more of today's distribution: the C6s and G25s are the westbound,sleepy group headed to haddington island; the Ds (all) and I22/39 are the sointula group;the i33s just went by the Cliff a short while ago following the A36s. It is not clear where the the rest of the As and I15s are at the moment.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 10:44:42 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
the orca shuffle continues: westbound in the Strait are the A30s, A36s,I31s and the I15s. They are spread out from Little Kaikash (west of CP) back to Izumi Rock (the A30s,I15s and maybe part of the I31s along the Vacouver Island side, while the A36s and I33s are on the Cracroft Island side). Eastbound are most likely the A4s,A5s and A12s ,now past the Eve River
Helena
25 Aug 2009 11:12:56 PDT
Orcas near mics.
The I33s just went north through Blackney Pass and are now westbound in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 12:12:16 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
Here is another correction. The A30s are probably back with their regular company heading east at Hickey Point. (A12s,A4s,A5s and A30s). the two males seen on the Vancouver Island side ahead of the I15s earlier may have been the rest of the I31s (the I33s went north through Blackney Pass). the A36s ended up going through Weynton pass and we heard them as they crossed the top end of Blackfish Sound following the I33s out to the west. The I15s are currently off the entrance to Weynton pass deciding on their next move. The I31s may be with them. Complicated day to say the least.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 14:32:32 PDT
Seasmoke reports
What an exciting day it has been! Just moments after leaving the dock in Alert Bay this morning passengers were viewing orcas. Two groups of orcas who were identified as the C6’s and the G25’s. Both pods were travelling very slowly to the west, heading in the direction of Haddington Island when we left them to view other orcas in Cormorant Passage; the D7’s and the I22’s, possibly C10’s were among them. They were resting and we stayed a distance away which made identifying them more difficult. They had travelled via Pearse Passage taking the back route in behind Cormorant Island while the C6’s and the G25’s had carried on past Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. A Minke Whale was also sighted at this time. Travelling back via the Pearse Islands more orcas were sighted in the distance heading out through Weynton Passage, they were likely some of the I33’s who were heading out at this time. On the late afternoon Motor Cruise the weather had changed as had the movement of orcas in Johnstone Strait. Just as we were leaving the dock in Alder Bay the rain cleared and a most beautiful rainbow emerged arching directly across Johnstone Strait. Orcas were sighted travelling east in Johnstone Strait close along the Hanson Island side, they were moving quickly in the flood current, as were some 200+ Pacific White-sided Dolphins centre Strait, other orcas , the I15’s were heading east as well but closer to the Vancouver Island shore. It was amazing viewing, especially when another glorious rainbow emerged arching again across Johnstone Strait and the dolphins were in the middle with white water moving rapidly above them as they swam, a brilliant blue sky above and the brightness of the rainbow; it was a most remarkable and indelible image to have witnessed, with so many dolphins swimming inside of the rainbow. As we neared the south-east end of the Sophia Islands, the I15’s had crossed over, meeting up with the other G-Clan orcas. It is here that we left them and turing back, the seascape had turned to silver and the image of several female orca fins were etched wonderfully in a cloud formation ahead of us, not unlike those of the I15’s! It was an amazing and very special day of viewing.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
I11s sighted again today
Sharon reports
We saw the I11s again and then came across some transients who were very busy killing a sea lion. We were spared the grisley details but were able to hear them after the kill and they sounded like yowling cats, very cool.We also saw the A12s and Echo has a very beautiful tall dorsal now and is a handsome boy.
Sharon@Pt McNeill
30 Aug 2008 22:22:24 PDT
We saw the I11s again and then came across some transients who were very busy killing a sea lion. We were spared the grisley details but were able to hear them after the kill and they sounded like yowling cats, very cool.We also saw the A12s and Echo has a very beautiful tall dorsal now and is a handsome boy.
Sharon@Pt McNeill
30 Aug 2008 22:22:24 PDT
Friday, August 29, 2008
I12s foraging in JS
Seasmoke reports
Today proved to be a day of wonderful viewing despite the heavy rain! On the morning tour passengers had the experience of sailing with the whales: the A8’s, A23’s and the A30’s and while under sail, by trailing the hydrophone, passengers were able to listen to their wonderful A-Clan vocals as they foraged. On the afternoon sail time was spent with the I12’s, they were also foraging and I47 surprised everyone when surfacing near to the boat, allowing a wonderful and unforgettable sight!
Today proved to be a day of wonderful viewing despite the heavy rain! On the morning tour passengers had the experience of sailing with the whales: the A8’s, A23’s and the A30’s and while under sail, by trailing the hydrophone, passengers were able to listen to their wonderful A-Clan vocals as they foraged. On the afternoon sail time was spent with the I12’s, they were also foraging and I47 surprised everyone when surfacing near to the boat, allowing a wonderful and unforgettable sight!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
I11s rubbing at Bere Point
Ellen reports:
We rounded Malcolm Point we saw the first Orcas. I was able to id I64 right away and there was an awful lot of familiar tall dorsal fins in there... I had a feeling we had the A36s there. The whales were heading for the beaches at Bere Pt and we witnessed a short rub there, amazing! Lots of socialization, amazing vocals, spyhops, breaches, everything in the orca manual book :) All in all I was positively able to id the A30s, A24s, A23's, A8s, A36s, I11s I hope I didn't miss anyone.
Ellen@Port McNeill
27 Aug 2008 17:20:02 PDT
We rounded Malcolm Point we saw the first Orcas. I was able to id I64 right away and there was an awful lot of familiar tall dorsal fins in there... I had a feeling we had the A36s there. The whales were heading for the beaches at Bere Pt and we witnessed a short rub there, amazing! Lots of socialization, amazing vocals, spyhops, breaches, everything in the orca manual book :) All in all I was positively able to id the A30s, A24s, A23's, A8s, A36s, I11s I hope I didn't miss anyone.
Ellen@Port McNeill
27 Aug 2008 17:20:02 PDT
Friday, August 01, 2008
I15s together with A clan groups in JS
Stubbs Whalewatching reports
From the first trip this morning to the last tour of the day we have had spectacular wildlife viewing. G clan and A clan gathered together in the Johnstone Strait - Blackfish Archipelago for a family affair. 50 plus orcas
We did see the A30's; A24's; A12's;I31's; and I15's
From the first trip this morning to the last tour of the day we have had spectacular wildlife viewing. G clan and A clan gathered together in the Johnstone Strait - Blackfish Archipelago for a family affair. 50 plus orcas
We did see the A30's; A24's; A12's;I31's; and I15's
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
I15s headed north?
Multiple pod calls audible.
It seems we're connected again, after being down most of the night. Sorry about that, as it has been very exciting vocally & socially. There has been a lot of movement since yesterday. The groups that were in the east came quickly back to the west in the afternoon & met up with the I15s/I31s, who had spent hours resting in western Johnstone Strait yesterday afternoon before heading into the beaches for an excited rub just before the A11s & co met them around 7pm. The A12s & A36s came back into the Strait via Weynton Pass & headed east just before dark. Most of the groups headed north via Blackney Pass around midnight & then headed back into the Strait around 3am. At the moment, the A30s & I31s are in Blackfish Sound. We think the A12s headed east from Robson Bight around 3am.
Helena
29 Jul 2008 06:18:23 PDT
It seems we're connected again, after being down most of the night. Sorry about that, as it has been very exciting vocally & socially. There has been a lot of movement since yesterday. The groups that were in the east came quickly back to the west in the afternoon & met up with the I15s/I31s, who had spent hours resting in western Johnstone Strait yesterday afternoon before heading into the beaches for an excited rub just before the A11s & co met them around 7pm. The A12s & A36s came back into the Strait via Weynton Pass & headed east just before dark. Most of the groups headed north via Blackney Pass around midnight & then headed back into the Strait around 3am. At the moment, the A30s & I31s are in Blackfish Sound. We think the A12s headed east from Robson Bight around 3am.
Helena
29 Jul 2008 06:18:23 PDT
I15s headed north?
Multiple pod calls audible.
It seems we're connected again, after being down most of the night. Sorry about that, as it has been very exciting vocally & socially. There has been a lot of movement since yesterday. The groups that were in the east came quickly back to the west in the afternoon & met up with the I15s/I31s, who had spent hours resting in western Johnstone Strait yesterday afternoon before heading into the beaches for an excited rub just before the A11s & co met them around 7pm. The A12s & A36s came back into the Strait via Weynton Pass & headed east just before dark. Most of the groups headed north via Blackney Pass around midnight & then headed back into the Strait around 3am. At the moment, the A30s & I31s are in Blackfish Sound. We think the A12s headed east from Robson Bight around 3am.
Helena
29 Jul 2008 06:18:23 PDT
It seems we're connected again, after being down most of the night. Sorry about that, as it has been very exciting vocally & socially. There has been a lot of movement since yesterday. The groups that were in the east came quickly back to the west in the afternoon & met up with the I15s/I31s, who had spent hours resting in western Johnstone Strait yesterday afternoon before heading into the beaches for an excited rub just before the A11s & co met them around 7pm. The A12s & A36s came back into the Strait via Weynton Pass & headed east just before dark. Most of the groups headed north via Blackney Pass around midnight & then headed back into the Strait around 3am. At the moment, the A30s & I31s are in Blackfish Sound. We think the A12s headed east from Robson Bight around 3am.
Helena
29 Jul 2008 06:18:23 PDT
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