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

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

Wed April 13

eagle flight
Originally uploaded by orcagirl.

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 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

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

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

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

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

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