THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009, J, K & L-pods of Southern Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales head away from Victoria, B.C. and then turn around!

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009, J, K & L-pods of Southern Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales head away from Victoria, B.C. and then turn around!

This morning Five Star Whale Watching faced a dilemma: On its 10AM morning trip "Five Star Supercat" encountered Killer Whales West of Race Rocks near Secretary Island. These whales were swimming away from us, meaning that if they continued their speed and direction of travel then we would most likely not see these animals on our 2PM departure.

This occasionally happens, but usually we have the opportunity to find other pods in the afternoon. At first we confirmed that we had L-pod....then we found other whales from J-pod...and finally K-pod, meaning that all 87 Southern Resident Killer Whales were traveling together! It is very rare for them to turn in unison near Sooke. It almost never happens: But today it did!

The net result is that we had impressive sightings all day. Another lesson that nature is very tough to predict.

Unforgettable Summer's Day on the water! July 29th, 09.

Here are some more images from a unforgettable summer's day on the Salish Sea! In the morning we had a surprise visit from T20 & T21 just off the Victoria Waterfront:) We also saw a Bald Eagle and several Northern Elephant Seals at Race Rocks.

In the afternoon we ventured North East and caught up with L-pod near Turn Point. We saw a number of L-pod High-speed Porpoising down Haro Strait and then at least four Orcas could be seen fishing! We also had a wonderful encounter with L86 and her new calf L112:)

On our way home we saw Harbor Porpoise, a Minke Whale and several Harbor Seals with Pups:) What an amazing day!!!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009, L-pod near Turn Point, Haro Strait

Wednesday, July 29, 2009, L-pod near Turn Point, Haro Strait

Today passengers on Five Star Whale Watching's afternoon trip were treated to a classic example of how quickly our wildlife viewing can change.

The morning trip was able to see Transient(Marine-Mammal-Eating)Killer Whales T20 & T21 out to the West near William Head and across to Constance Bank: En route they also saw First Nations' canoes paddling across Juan de Fuca Strait from Victoria, B.C. to Port Angeles, Washington. This was part of 2009 Tribal Journey, where First Nations reenact the traditional-style intertribal canoe journeys as part of the annual "Paddle to Seattle" that began 20 years ago.

In the afternoon, "Fast Cat" and "Five Star Supercat" took passengers on the afternoon trip 20nm North to Turn Point where L-pod of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales were heading towards the West side of San Juan Island.

Lpod in the morning and then Superpod and Minke Whales! July 28th, 2009.

The images above from todays tours were taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.

During our mornings tour we encountered two seperate groups of L-pod (SRKW) in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. We also encountered a very large male Northern Elephant Seal at Race Rocks as well as a Bald Eagle, Sealion and several Harbor Seals.

In the afternoon on the way over to San Juan Island we encountered a Minke Whale near Oak Bay. Then off San Juan Island we encountered a Superpod, as all three pods (J, K & L) came together!

With the blistering heat ashore the water was the best place to be today with so much wildlife to see and the sea breeze to cool the temperature to a wonderful degree:)