A Crew You Could Take Home To Mom!

We enjoy what we do and it shows.

And we clean up well should you wish to invite us over to Mom's for Supper. PLEASE!

Squall Over Metchosin

Not exactly "Moon Over Miami". Squall over Metchosin. A sudden meteorological event that added dramatic lighting to our Wednesday, May 2nd cruise.

Beautiful, and a great reminder of how powerful nature is.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 REDUX

On our way to Race Rocks Marine Protected Area we never know what or whom we might find. One of the many joys of cruising through the waters off Victoria, B.C. is the incredible diversity of marine mammals. Today upon seas that had an ominous resonance to them we encountered four Transient {Mammal Eating} Killer Whales....T18, T19, T19B and T19C. We sat quietly and soaked in the experience.

Photos by Ron Bates

Additional Photos - April 26

Note: Photos are zoomed in.

April 26 - Wildlife Tour (Afternoon trip)

SuperCat ventured out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca where we encountered members of J pod foraging. We were treated to J14 (Samish) and J30 (Riptide - her twelve year old son) foraging off the starboard and bow of the SuperCat. Off in the distance on the port side, J16 (Slick) and J26 (Mike - her sixteen year old son) were travelling with periods of intense foraging. Off of Albert head, we were treated to a sighting of a juvenile Grey whale, which displayed its beautiful tail flukes as it dove deeper. The trip wound down with another spectacular view of J16 and J26, before we headed into Race Rocks MPA to view four different pinniped species (Stellar sea lions, California sea lions, Northern elephant seals, and Harbour seals). In addition, we had several views of immature and mature bald eagles and a variety of other sea birds.

Note: photos a zoomed in.

FastCat - April 14 Wildlife Tour

The crew and passengers of FastCat were treated to a spectacular training event in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The T101's and potentially another group of T's spent approximately an hour and a bit harassing and then killing a fairly mature male Steller sea lion. A juvenile transient killer whale was receiving a lesson in the technique of hunting a Steller sea lion. The whales continually cut off the Steller sea lion's escape route to Race Rocks (an area with numerous rocks that seals and sea lions use to haul out of the water). The young transient was educated in tail slapping, body slamming and drowning of the Steller sea lion. These training events may not always lead to a kill, but after an hour and a bit of harassing, the whales suddenly slipped underneath the surface for nearly five minutes and the sea gulls swarmed the water over head. The training event turned into a meal, which all participants share in the success of the kill. Note: as a passenger that day, I got to enjoy the opportunity of drinking in the event and snapping off as many pictures before my camera battery died. Above are some of my pictures from the event and one of the photos in the side corner includes the Steller sea lion being rammed by a transient. ALL PHOTOS ARE ZOOMED IN!

The FastCat also visited Race Rocks MPA (marine protected area), with those photos to come.

FastCat - April 6th Wildlife Tour

The FastCat headed out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and had a chance encounter with an immature male elephant seal resting at the surface of the water. The moment a camera came out to capture his image, he slipped beneath of the surface and was gone. The trip continued over to Race Rocks MPA (marine protected area), which gave the passengers a spectacular view of Steller sea lions, California sea lions, female and immature male elephant seals, and harbour seals. Race rocks provides these four types of pinniped species wonderful rocks to haul out on and rest. The wildlife tour finished up with a encouter with two transient killer whales, T103 a mature male traveling with his mom T104. T103 and T104 exhibited characteristic behaviour of long dives that covered significant area, moving from one tidal rip to another, looking and listening for unsuspectant seals and other marine mammals. Enjoy the two photos of T103 and T104 provided by Ron Bates (Marine Mammal Scientist). Note: photos are zoomed in.

April 5 - FastCat Trip

FastCat encountered J pod foraging and socializing off the West side of San Juan Island. J1 and J2 were in the lead as the family unit headed North along the island, with smaller units following behind. Enjoy the photo of J28 (Polaris) and J1 (Ruffles - 56 year old male).

March 29 - Wildlife Trip

The FastCat encountered approximately 50 to 60 Dall's porpoises foraging in Haro Strait. It was amazing to shut down and watch small different foraging groups all around the vessel. We had a beautiful pass off the bow of the boat by a Hybrid Dall's porpoise (a cross between a Dall's and a Harbour porpoise), which is becoming more and more common in the Salish Sea. We also had encounters with harbour seals and Bald eagles in and around Chatum, Discovery and Chain islands. Enjoy the photo of the hybrid porpoise.

Wildlife Trip - Tuesday March 27

Beautiful day in the Salish Sea. Harbour seals were piled up one on top of another one the rocky shoreline of Trial island. The FastCat then had an amazing view of soaring mature bald eagles over Chatham island, while an immature eagle was settled like statue in the surrounding trees. We then ventured up into Spieden Channel where we were treated to several Steller Sea lions hauled out on Spieden islands Green Point, while several more were fishing and swimming about. It was a spectacular wildlife trip with the sun shining over head. Enjoy the photos! Note: all photos zoomed in.

Wildlife Trip - Sunday March 25

The SuperCat and FastCat both ventured out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca with a group from MYK. Although the trip was a bit lumpy, we had wonderful encounter with J pod (one of the three southern resident pods). J pod probably came in during the night from the West following a small run of salmon, and we encountered them as they were heading back out West towards the open Pacific ocean. We had an amazing view of the J11 matriline, which includes J11 with her 16 year old son J27 and his siblings J31 (12 year old female) and J39 (4 year old male). The trip then ventured into Oak Bay's chain islets where we viewed harbour seals hauled out. What an amazing way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Note: photo zoomed in and photo is of J17

Wildlife Trip - Saturday March 24

The wildlife trip started out with pouring rain that eased up, allowing some beautiful encounters with mature and immature bald eagles around Discovery Island. Also around Discovery Island, were some harbour seals hauled out on the rocks with the occassional head popping out of the bull kelp forest. The FastCat travelled further up Haro Strait, where we encountered a small group of Dall's porpoises feeding. They demonstrated their exceptional speed while pursuing the schooling fish. It was an exceptional Wildlife Trip. Note: above photo of mature bald eagle captured on another wildlife trip.

The Start of another exciting Season with 5*

So here we are at the start of another exciting season of Whale and wildlife excursions with Five Star Whale Watching. Last season was one of the best ever and our guests went away with some unforgettable memories. We look forward to welcoming you aboard Five Star's purpose built Catamarans for an amazing experience. See you on the water!

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