THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009, MINKE WHALE & DALL'S PORPOISE

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009, MINKE WHALE & DALL'S PORPOISE

What a beautiful day in Victoria, B.C.! Afternoon temperatures approached 17 C (60 F). A fine way to finish off April.

Flat calm seas brought up ideal viewing conditions, and near Discovery Island we caught a glimpse of the same Minke Whale that we had seen yesterday.

Further into Haro Strait we saw very playful Dall's Porpoise, "rooster-tailing" through the water at speeds approaching 20 knots (35 kph). Close-up views were a blur! We are lucky to have two good photographs.

Photos by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG)

WEDS, APRIL 29, 2009, MINKE WHALE, DALL'S PORPOISE & SUBMARINE

WEDS, APRIL 29, 2009, MINKE WHALE, DALL'S PORPOISE & SUBMARINE

"Pssttt!!! Hey, Buddy...Wanna buy a Sub?"
Well, that's not exactly what we heard today, but it was the impression we got when we saw a Submarine on the deck of a Transport Ship at Ogden Point as we left Victoria Harbour.

From Ogden Point, Five Star Whale Watching's "Fast Cat" headed East along Victoria's waterfront to Oak Bay and Chatham & Discovery Islands. As we looked in the distance we saw a very large flock of Gulls feeding: This is an indication of a large mass of fish near the surface, usually pushed there by something large feeding down below. At the Southern tip of Discovery Island, at Seabird Point, we found out exactly what was forcing these fish up from the depths...a 10-tonne Minke Whale!

Note the distinct crescent-shaped dorsal fin located two-thirds of the way towards the tail flukes.

Near Kelp Reef, half-way from Vancouver Island to the American San Juan Islands we spotted some Dall's Porpoise, sometimes mis-identified as "Baby Killer Whales" because of their resemblance from a distance..

TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2009 GRAY WHALE, CALIFORNIA SEA LION, NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL, BALD EAGLE & BROWN PELICAN

TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2009 GRAY WHALE, CALIFORNIA SEA LION, NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL, BALD EAGLE & BROWN PELICAN

Sounds like the start to a bad joke, or maybe an inventory list from Noah's Ark, but we, in fact, had this amazing variety of creatures on our trip today.

Venturing out from Victoria we headed to the South West past Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.

At Helicopter Rock, we encountered 5 or 6 Northern Elephant Seals hauled out, sunning themselves.

On the Eastern shore of Great Race Rock, Ron Bates, well known for his knowledge of birds, found a Brown Pelican.

Above us Ron spotted a Bald Eagle soaring on the warm afternoon updraft.

Just South of Race Rocks is Rosedale Rock, and lo and behold we found a California Sea Lion sitting on the green "Can" buoy that marks that hazard.

And at Crescent Bay, on the North shore of the Olympic Peninsula, our presence was graced by a Gray Whale. Note the barnacles on the top of the head of the Gray Whale.


This species of barnacle (Cryptolepas rhachianecti) is found only on gray whale skin in the Wild. The barnacle itself is a filter feeder, sticking its feathery legs out of its shells and gathering microscopic plankton from the water. These whale barnacles use the whale as a substrate for attachment and the current of water passing over the whale to bring them lots of plankton. The barnacle does not have to expend a lot of energy filtering the water because the whale provides all the movement. (Most barnacles attached to solid substrates must expend a lot of energy kicking their legs in and out to get enough plankton to survive.)

Photos by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG)

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009 GRAY WHALE, Crescent Bay

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009 GRAY WHALE, Crescent Bay

Gray whales use suction to draw food into their mouths.
A feeding gray whale turns so that one side of its mouth faces the ocean bottom. The whale opens its mouth slightly and pulls in its huge tongue. This draws in sediment and amphipods from the ocean bottom. The whale then pushes the sediment through the baleen plates on the opposite side of its mouth. The amphipods are caught in the baleen, which acts like a filter.
Gray whales are the only baleen (filter feeder) whale that regularly feeds on bottom-dwelling animals.
Scientists think they can tell whether a gray whale is a right or left-handed feeder by looking at the barnacles and scraped skin on its head. There are more skin scratches, and fewer barnacles, on the side of the whale that faces the bottom when it feeds.

Photos by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG),

SUNDAY, APRIL 26th, 2009 BALD EAGLE NEST near Haystack Rock, Metchosin, B.C.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26th, 2009 BALD EAGLE NEST near Haystack Rock, Metchosin, B.C.

A Bald Eagle Nest near Haystack Rock off Metchosin, B.C. has now reached over 1m (3 feet)wide and up to 2m (6 feet)tall. This nest is used year after year. Bald Eagles only spend about 20% of their lives at their nests, only when there are eggs or chicks in the nest.

Photos by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG)

SUNDAY, APRIL 26th, 2009 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES near Race Rocks

SUNDAY, APRIL 26th, 2009 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES near Race Rocks

Additional photos of Transient Killer Whales hunting near Race Rocks. Note the circling pattern as they zero in for the kill.

Photos by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG)

Spectacular Encounter with Transient Orcas! April 26th, 2009.

Large Spyhop

Seal Pup, this little guy almost became the Transient Orcas next meal!

Spyhop above and below, this happened after the Orcas had made a kill and were feeding on the remains.

The Orcas spent several minutes switching directions as they finished off their kill.

Transient Orcas heading across Juan De Fuca Strait

Notice the rake marks on this female, probably from another Orca during socializing.

We came across 5 transient Orcas today and first sighted them near Race Rocks.

It was an excellent day to be on the water but conditions were perfect for sailing:)

Eagles Nest

Immature Eagles, one that has just got its white head feathers, at Race Rocks.

Northern Elephant Seal relaxes in the sun, nice life:)

Steller Sealion at Race Rocks

Today was my 40th Birthday and to celebrate I decided to head out with our crew for the 2pm tour and what a birthday treat it turned out to be, our passengers seemed to enjoy this magnificent day as well;)

We first stopped near Haystock Island to check out the Eagles Nest that we have been visiting almost daily to observe the Eagles that are nesting there.

Then it was off to Race Rocks as we had earlier received reports of 5 Transient Orcas travelling East from Sooke. As we got near to Race Rocks sure enough we caught sight of the Orcas in tw separate groups looking like they were in hunting mode. These top Ocean predators are attracted to our area by the abundance of prey including Harbor Seals, Harbor & Dalls Porpoise as well as the Sealions and Elephant Seals. For the Transient Orcas the Salish Sea is like a smorgas board and they can pick and choose what they want for their next meal! We observed the Orcas moving along the coast line and as they were making 7 minute dives we decided now would be a good time to visit Race Rocks.

At Race Rocks we saw various animals that the Transient Orcas feed on including the Harbor Seals, Steller & California Sealions and the largest prey, the Northern Elephant Seals that can reach 13 feet long and weight 4000 lbs!!! Whilst at Race Rocks we also saw 2 immature Bald Eagles.

Next we headed back into the Strait Of Juan De Fuca to observe the Transient Orcas again. The Orcas were now travelling together and looked again as if they were hunting. We saw a number of Harbor Seals and Porpoise in the area and sure enough not long after the Orcas made a kill under water. We then observed the Orcas picking off the remains of their kill and witnessed a number of spyhops, tailslaps and logging (where an Orca sits floating at the surface).

The Transient Orcas were eventually identified as the T49's.

With the amazing spring weather it was a breathtaking tour and the perfect Birthday present for me:)