Saturday, April 30, 2005

whale watching hendersen


whale watching hendersen
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

Well on Friday we'd heard that Jpod might be visible from shore. Hendersen and I (my cat) headed down to Dallas road however it appeared that the orcas were a bit farther then we'd hoped (3 miles or so). So with that in mind, we headed home however I couldn't resist posting this photo of him, as we scout the water for orcas.

Friday, April 29, 2005

J Pod south of Trial Island


Bathymetric Map
Originally uploaded by Jeff Lorton.
No photos today but J Pod was seen 4 miles south of Trial Island slowly foraging into the fooding Strait. Spread over 2 miles, the Js were in groups of three or less and were making long steep dives for
over 4 minutes. The new calf J40 is looking good, diving and surfacing repeatedly on one spot he was as far as 200 meters from his mum J 14 and big brother. When last seen they were still heading west.

J Pod is looking great!

Jeff

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Jpod near Lopez Island


jpod2
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

Today we found Jpod foraging and socializing. When we arrived the animals were spread out but shortly after grouped up and started to socialize.

jpod10
We saw multiple breaches, including a few synchronized breaches. Unfortunately we were a bit far for photos of that however I am hoping to get one soon. Before heading home, we stopped in at Whale Rock to see some Stellar Sea Lions and Harbour Seals.
whalerock2
It was warm and sunny today, another glorious day to experience these amazing creatures.

guest2
A lovely youngster looks on as orcas pass our boat.

Monday, April 25, 2005

Jpod playful and foraging


jpod3
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

Today, on yet another beautiful day, we caught up with JPod off of San Juan Island (between Eagle Point and False Bay) foraging, playing, and resting.
jpod
Playful behavior between 3 young males.

jpod1
Young males playfully interact with one another.dalls3
On the way home we found a few Dalls Porpoise.

Sunday, April 24, 2005

JPod & Dalls Porpoise


j40
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

Today was yet another incredible day out on the water. We stopped in to visit sea birds in Oak Bay (Chain Islands), as well as Chatham and Discovery Islands where we saw a River otter and a few eagles soaring above.
jpod
Then on to San Juan Island where we caught up with Jpod who was milling, resting and traveling. Saw our little friend again J40 (offspring of J14).
tourists
5 Star passengers look on as Jpod passes by. When we left them, they were traveling north towards Turn Point.dalls porpoise
We were lucky to see a couple of Dalls Porpoise and Rhinoceros Auklet (bird) on our way home.

trial_island
Passing Trial Island on the way home.
crew
One of my fave crew shots, to end the day.

April 23
Hi Susan
A large number of Transients going North in Haro St. this morning, T100's T124's and a few more.
My last report was they were about to enter Trincomali Ch. about 1700.
Just before 1800 T14 was found in Haro St. going N. on a line between 10 mile PT. (North of Oak Bay) and Henry Is.
JPod last reported off the Top end of Rosario (Cherry Pt. area) going slowly South, late afternoon.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC

Friday, April 22, 2005

Orcas at Trial Island


jpod4
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

Today 5 Star was not on the water however on a walk up to King George Terrace, I was pleasantly surprized to find orcas (i assume Jpod) traveling past. Although the photos are not great, it gives you an idea of where they were in proximity to Victoria. I did see many breaches as well.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Jpod @ Hein Bank


orcas & mountain
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

Today we found Jpod spread apart, traveling north west towards Race Rocks. We stayed with them for approximately 40 minutes. Saw one of the calfs, hope to get a better photo soon.

tourists
Passengers enthralled in photographing orcas
baby orca
Baby Orca speed porpoising.
orcas & victoria
Jpod with Victoria in the background.

April 21
Hi Susan
2116 time of this report report.
Jpod was South of Victoria go S.W. at1600. Waiting for a update, mom and calf looked great, J1 and J2 way to the south.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

JPod & Dalls Porpoise

ruffles enlarged

What an incredible day today! Turns out that JPod was at San Juan Island today and what a treat that was. We arrived on scene to find several Dalls Porpoise milling about. dalls porpoise
The Jpod group spread out, traveling and speed porpoising. Got a good look at the eldest male "Ruffles / J1" (top photo)...

j14 + j40
as well as J14 and offspring J40. The weather is supposed to be great all week, cheers to more wonderful adventures!
cormorant
Cormorant takes flight as we enter the Victoria harbour.

Hi Susan
I was not over to Freshwater or Crescent Bays myself but reports say both were empty of whales this morning.
T14 appeared off Victoria this afternoon, the same time as J's were going up and down the Strait in the Lime Kiln area.
J14 and baby J40 in company with J8, rest of the whales well spread out with J1 and J2 way off shore for the most part.
Jpod milling in the area of Kellet Bluff at 1730 with T14 heading towards Protection Island from Discovery Island.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC

April 17/18

April 17/18
Hi Susan
April 17 - a gray whale was picked up by by Mark Malleson on his first trip just after 1000. A assortment of boats had it until just after 1330 and left it at William Head. My 1400 found it coming up on Beacher Bay, we lost it, 1530.
Boats from 5Star, Prince of Whales, and Seafun found it near Beechey Head going West 1600. Last seen nearing Sooke.
This whale has been "hit" along the left side of the spine towards the peduncle. The wound seems to be more of a scrape with scar tissue.
April 18, checked out Freshwater Bay no results, carried on to Crescent Bay 2 Grays.
A dead El. seal on the way back to Race Rocks (your side).
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC

Sunday, April 17, 2005

Grey Whale


grey tail
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

Today we found a lone Grey Whale on it's way to Beechy Hd (Sooke). We stayed with him for approximately an hour before heading to Race Rocks to see many Stellar Sea Lions and two Bald Eagles.

It turned out to be a beautiful day on the water this afternoon. With Transient orcas around yesterday and a Grey whale today, it's a good time to experience the wonders that this coast has to offer us.

I am excited to see what lie ahead....

T20 and T21

April 16
Hi Susan
I hope whale day in Langley was a success.
Not much here until the afternoon.
T20 and T21 inbound from Race Rocks last seen going east across the Victoria waterfront at 1730.
"Mallard" (Mark Malleson) and I left Vic. at 1400 he went to Race I went to Haro. His contact.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Wed April 13


eagle flight
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.


eagle & crow

Hello there

Today we had a pleasant voyage. We coasted across Victoria's waterfront to Beechey Head then to Race Rocks where we saw Stellar Sea Lions, some Cormorants and Bald Eagles. Then we traveled to Discovery and Chatham Islands where we saw Harbour Seals, Cormorants nests, and Bald Eagles. On our way back we saw a Great Blue Heron, gliding low over the Oak Bay waterfront. On the way into Victoria Harbour, we saw a River Otter walking along the docks near the float homes in James Bay.

Sighting reports Jpod in Puget Sound today, maybe tomorrow we will get lucky and see them! Fingers crossed.

click here to see more photos.

Sunday, April 10, 2005

Sunday April 10th Morning Trip

Blustering winds and and an out going tide made for a chilly yet adventerous trip out this morning.

Before even leaving the dock we watched a River Otter jump off a low dock and swim just below the surface over to and underneath the Supercat. A trail of little bubbles showed his progress across the marina and the little critter was visible at about 2 feet below the surface.

We started out first by a local search for "Pender" and adult male Transient Orca that passed through yesterday afternoon. As the female Harbour Seals near time to have their young, more Marine Mammal eating orca will be frequenting the area in search of a quick snack. At Oak Bay we spotted a large group of Harbour seals and then went out to Rum Runners Cove on the north end of Chatam Island where a large imature Bald Eagle flew low over the boat and landed on a very close by Arbutus tree. Spectactular! 30 minutes later we arrived at Race Rocks Marine Protected Area. Home to over one thousand seasonal visiting Sealions, "the race" is a group of islands about one mile offshore off the southern tip of Vancouver Island and features a stone lighthouse constructed in the 1860s.

Both the history and natural wonder of Race Rocks makes it a trip highlight. A mile further to the west we entered Whirl Bay to view an Eagles Nest at the top of an old bare Spruce tree. More eagles, seals, sealions and an elephant seal or two rounded out an exciting and fun trip.
Back out we go tomorrow for more adventure! I had a blast today!

By for now,
Jeff

Discovery & Race Rocks


tourists
Discovery islands
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

Today the weather kicked up, but there were no whales to find anyways. We saw Sea Lions and Elephant Seals at Race Rocks, Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles, and River Otters at Discovery Islands in Oak Bay.

click here to see more photos.

T14 & 8 Transients

April 9
Hi Susan
A report of T14 off William Head area south of Victoria going North East just after 1500. Up to 8 Transients attacking a Steller sea lion off Kelp Reef mid Haro St. at 1517. I hope Dave or Ken at the center will give more details but my understanding was some of T100's, T124's and T90 but I was on the beach.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria BC

Friday, April 08, 2005

J's in Active Pass

April 8
HI Susan
1100 Jpod in Swanson Channel going north towards Active Pass.
First reported off Turn Pt. just after 0800.
Ken Balcomb is on scene and "Mallard" is on his way.
Mark left Victoria at 1050 so I expect to hear from him around 1230.
Ron Bates
MMRG, Victoria

Thursday, April 07, 2005

5 Star Cat


5starcat
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

How could I possibly leave out the Cat, since we're talking about 5 star boats... FYI this photo was taken in 2004

Blackfin Boat 2004


in blackfin boat
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

We were watching transients that day, T14 and friends to be exact. This is what the perspective looks like from inside the blackfin boat.

photo of T14 here taken on the same day.

Taku / Blackfin photo


blackfin
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

Although this is named "taku" it is identical to the black fin boat. Since Jeff was talking about this boat deploying on the water soon, i thought it was appropriate to upload a photo to the blog.

:)

Blackfin

Hello All,

I too enjoyed the trip up San Juan to Green Point on Speiden Island. Below is an aerial photo of Green Point. I really enjoyed the cruise up the north side and then on past Johns Pass, Satelite and Stewart Islands. There is something about coming around Turn Point from the north that I like. It's the direction of the Pacific, thats probabbly enough.

The Dall's Porpoise rolling on the surface were excellent and everyone got a thrill. I liked seeing the whale tail sculpture
that is next to a cliff-side house on San Juan's westside.

Smooth sailing,
Jeff

Photo of Green Point

Monday, April 04, 2005

Green Pt

Hi,

I was out with Captian Trev as well, and it was a great first trip on the Supercat. Looking forward to a good year.

Amy

Friday, April 01, 2005

Skana L79 surprize!


Skana L79 porpoise
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

This was taken last year from the blackfin boat. I'll be making posters of this image - it blows up beautifully to 18 inches wide. Truely is a once in a life time photo.


To see / read more about this go here