We were with the T37As and T99s off of Smith Island. These two families together make up 9 individuals, most of them being juveniles. This led to quite a bit of playful action!
We are encountering lots of beautiful whale activity into October! On our morning tour recently our guests viewed the white baby orca, T46B1B. And in the afternoon our guests viewed the T37s and the
T18s. Afterwards, we made our way to Race Rocks Ecological Reserve to visit Ollie the otter and his sea lion friends!
A wonderful passenger on our tour, Marcus Bergström, captured this gorgeous shot!
Recent photos from a pleasant viewing of the T100s off of Lopez Island, we also encountered a humpback whale, MMX0006 (nicknamed Pickle) crashing the party for a group of seabirds by consuming a bait ball!
The T99s making their way northeast of Vancouver Island last week. This family of four consists of mom T99 (approximately 35 years old) and her 3 offspring, T99B (12 years old), T99C (10 years old) and T99D (4 years old).
We headed west to humpback land and viewed 20 individuals in different groups, we then headed east to spend time with the T99s as they slowly made their way northeast. T99s are a family consisting of 4 whales, mom (T99) (approx 35 years old), and her offspring T99B (12 years old), T99C (10 years old) and T99D (4 years old).
September has been an incredible month for whale activity!
We had a unique encounter earlier this week with the T99s, a family we see quite often in the area. However, with them were U083 and U084 and their families, who rarely come into our waters. These orcas are still considered transient, yet due to their encounters being scarce, are labeled "unknown transients".
The group was seen traveling west in the direction of heavy fog. As they moved, they managed to snag a few harbour seals and expressed their excitement in front of us!
Yesterday we were with the T46s off of East Sooke in the morning, then Port Angeles in the afternoon.
While on scene with them, a rare report of a fin whale came in! Fin whales do not usually visit the Salish Sea; the last known fin whale to come in and stick around was 3 three years ago!
Fin whales are the second largest animal on earth, only being surpassed by the blue whale. They can reach 21 meters and weigh 48 metric tons! Merely seeing their long, flat backs is enough to give you an idea you're in the presence of a giant.
T109A2B showing off that adorable little face! After two successful hunts, the 1 year old was especially excited and continuously popped their head out of the water!