Sun, April 6, 2008 Transients T-20 & T-21

Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales made another appearance on Sunday, April 6, 2008. Five Star Whale Watching and our passengers encountered them just South of Discovery Island.

Fri, April 4 J -pod and Sat, April 5 J-pod

After two days of heading to Race Rocks and being treated to Steller Sea Lions, Harbour Porpoise and Bald Eagles, we had two consecutive days of J-pod of Resident Killers Whales.
Five Star Whale Watching's passengers viewed J-pod near Lime Kiln Light House on San Juan Island on Friday, April 4th, and then near Mouat Point on North Pender Island on Saturday, April 5th.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008 J-POD RETURNS!!!!

Five Star Whale Watching was lucky enough to treat our passengers to the return of J-pod of Southern Resident Killer Whales on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008.

On ideal seas, if less than seasonal temperatures, we saw the whole family of over 20 animals as they came inbound from the Pacific and began heading North along the westside of the San Juan Islands.

Clear vocalizations and echolocations reverberated over our hydrophone, adding to the experience.

Al marvelous day.

Friday, March 28, 2008 Trip to Race Rocks and Secretary Island

Cooler than expected Spring temperatures could not dampen the enthusiasm of the passengers who joined Five Star Whale Watching for our Friday, March 28th cruise.

One of the joys of venturing out at this time of year is that there is chance for a wide variety of Marine Mammals, and our collective patience was rewarded by one of the most impressive encounters: A solitary male Transient (Marine Mammal Eating) Killer Whale.

Here was a creature weighing about 8.5 Tonnes (19,000 pounds) and 8.5m (28 feet)long searching by himself for a meal of Harbour Seals, Harbour Porpoise, Dall's Porpoise, California Sea Lions or Steller Sea Lions. We all paused to contemplate that here we were encountering a creature in the Wild that likely looks and lives very much like its ancestors did 5 million years ago.

Ron Bates of The Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG) provided these photos that confirm this animal as T103, a male Transient Killer Whale estimated to be 40 years old, with a distinct pointed Dorsal Fin that is almost 2m (over 6 feet) tall. Note the "Closed" Saddle Patch (The white patch that is almost the shape of a saddle and sit where you might imagine a saddle would fit a Killer Whale just behind the Dorsal Fin). It is called "Closed" because the Saddle Patch has no black intruding into it.

T103 was diving for periods of up to 7 1/2 minutes. Remarkable.

At Secretary Island we saw 3 juvenile and 2 adult Bald Eagles. As one adult circled overhead we could get a sense of how immense their wing span is (2m or over 6 feet).

Many of the Steller and California Sea Lions usually found at Race Rocks appeared to out on fishing trips. The dozen or so that we saw were all huddled on the S.E. island staying out of the cool breeze.

Another wonderful day for the passengers and crew of Five Star Whale Watching...and the season has just begun!

March 21, 2008 Photos of T49 Group and Race Rocks

Ron Bates, Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG)provided these March 21, 2008 Photos of T49 Group and Race Rocks.

Fri, March 21, 2008 Five Star Whale Watching Season Begins!

HAPPY EASTER FROM FIVE STAR WHALE WATCHING!!!

Five Star Whale Watching had its first official trip of the 2008 season yesterday (Good Friday, March 21, 2008)...We journeyed out on "Fast Cat", one of our Expedition Catamarans, and encountered Transient (Marine Mammal Eating) Killer Whales South East of William Head and followed them to about 2 miles ESE of Race Rocks.

Our preliminary I.D. was T-49 group of Transient Killer Whales (4 Adult Females & 3 Calves). T-51, a large Male who occasionally travels with this group, was not there. One new calf seemed to be less than a year old...maybe even just months old.

We say "Preliminary I.D." as Ron Bates of the Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG) has taught up to always take time to properly examine our detailed photographs after the trip as on the scene I.D.'s can be skewed by expectations and adrenaline! We will post the actual pictures early next week. The photo above is courtesy of the book "Transients" authored by Dr. John K .B. Ford and Graeme M. Ellis and published by UBC Press/Vancouver and University of Washington Press/Seattle.

There was a tightly packed group of Steller Sea Lions at Race Rocks. Tightly packed because even though the surface of the sea was very calm, a large and powerful swell was rising and falling 8 to 10 feet up against the rocks, forcing the Steller Sea Lions to all retreat farther up the rocks than usual and gather on one portion of Race Rocks that was in the lee of the crashing waves. Beautiful Day. Crew was: Capt. Trev Neufeld, Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG) Researcher Ron Bates, and Marine Naturalists Jim Dale & Josh McInnes.

Celebrating the start of another exciting season!

Lunge Feeding Humpback Whale

Orca Spyhoping

Harbor Seal and Pup

Transient Orca & Calf

Supercat

Breaching Humpback


Fastcat at Sunset

Dalls Porpoise

Humpback Whale

Breaching Orca K11 from K pod

In just a few days Five Star Whale Watching will be starting yet another exciting season of Whale Watching and other Marine Mammal sightings. All the crew at Five Star are ready and our anticipation and excitement is growing every day.


Last season was one of the best seasons ever to be out on the water in the Salish Sea and watching the variety of Marine Mammals and other marine life in this pristine environment. From the increase in Humpback Whale sightings, to the new born Orca calf's in J & L Pod, to the sightings of a Pacific White Sided Dolphin or watching the new Seal Pups, there was always something magical to see during our voyages.


With expert and enthusiastic crew and its expedition Catamarans, Five Star Whale Watching provides an unrivalled Marine Adventure and educational experience. All the crew at Five Star welcome you to join us on our Marine Adventures during the 2008 season. We look forward to seeing you on the water soon!

SEASON STARTS MARCH 15, 2008!!!

Five Weeks...Wow, only 35 days until Five Star Whale Watching begins our 2008 Season!!! We can hardly wait.

This is a good time for us to remember that beyond the thrill and excitement of heading out from Victoria, B.C. and onto Juan de Fuca Strait and Haro Strait, Five Star Whale Watching's owners, staff and crew are dedicated to working with Scientific Researchers and Students, educating the Public and, through Conservation and Stewardship of the Marine Environment, protecting the Southern Resident Killer Whales (the Orcinus Orca in our local waters).

We hope that you will join us as we continue to achieve positive results.

Only Eight Weeks until Whale Watching!!!

Five Star Whale Watching staff and crew are ahead of schedule in our preparations for the start of our 2008 whale watching season on March 15th, 2008.

We have completed the refit of one of our Expedition Catamarans [The "Fast Cat" is ready to go] and are now out in the Winter rain working on the "Five Star Supercat". Our enthusiasm and our anticipation of another fantastic year on the water are keeping us energized and warm!

We hope that those of you who have already cruised with us will return for another great experience seeing Killer Whales [Each trip is unique and has its own character]; and we look forward to sharing Victoria, British Columbia's Marine Environment with those of you who have not yet headed out onto the water with us.

Questions? Contact us by e-mail at orcas@5starwhales.com
or call us at (250) 388-7223 or Toll-free at 1(800) 634-9617

New Jpod Calf, J43!!

At the beginning of November a new calf was spotted and confirmed in Jpod and has been designated as J43. J43 is the offspring of J14 a female born in 1974 and who has had four other calfs although the first one passed away in 1991. This is exciting news and brings the total of the Southern Resident Orcas to 88 and J43 is the fourth calf to be born this year.

For more information visit the Whale Research Centre for a full article and photo of the new calf;

http://www.whaleresearch.com/thecenter/News_110607_newcalf_J43.html

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT 2007 SEASON!!

This is the time of year when we reflect on the season past and get a chance to express our gratitude.

There is not a day during the year when we aren't fully aware of how lucky we are to work out on the water with these amazing creatures. Everyday we know that we will see something amazing and inspiring...We just never know exactly what that will be until we get out there! We are truly blessed.

Of course, we wouldn't be out on the water if it weren't for you, our visitors, booking trips and entrusting us with introducing you to and guiding you through this marine experience. Thank you.

With this fortune comes the obligation to provide information and offer avenues for education on what we all can do towards conservation and stewardship. The best way to ignite your interest is by having Captains, Marine Naturalists and Office Staff whose enthusiasm and passion is contagious.

Our goal is that everyone whom we are lucky enough to take on one of our cruises will remember the spirit of our crew. We hope that we can lead by example with our willingness to open ourselves not only to the opportunity to see and hear birds, whales and sea lions but to immerse ourselves in the experience.

Five Star Whale Watching is much more than just the Expedition Catamarans. Our greatest strength is our staff and I wish to thank our owners Kathy and Eric; Captains Trev, Scotty, Bill, Dave and Steve; Marine Naturalists Jacklyn, Merina, Kyla, Tove, Christine, Rachel, Marie, Amy, and volunteer Josh; Retail Manager Jacqueline; Sales Agents Jenn, Claudia and Lysanne; Commodore Ron; and Marine Naturalist/Photographer/Assistant Manager/Blogger Andrew, the Crazy Brit himself.

and lets not forget Jim Dale, 5*'s General Manager, Marine Naturalist and one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Jim really does have the patience of a saint, something that is a must dealing with the Five Star crew:) Cheers Jim!

This Season is over...and a new one soon to begin.

End of Season Highlights!

Here are just a small selection of some of my favourite pictures from the 2007 Whale Watching Season at Five Star Whale Watching. please visit our flickr page for even more amazing photos from 2007; http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivestarwhalewatching/

It was a spectacular season from beginning to the end full of magical and memorable moments that left you in awe at the wonders of mother nature.

This season we celebrated the births of three new Orcas, J42, L109 and L110. We also saw most of our old favourites including J2 "Granny", J1 "Ruffles", K21 "Cappuccino", L41 "Mega" and many more of the incredible Southern Resident Orca pods. Throughout the season J, K & L pod continued to provide unforgettable experiences for both our passengers and the crew. We also got to see many Transient Orcas, including old favourite T14 "Pender" hunt in our local waters. Watching these amazing Marine Mammals and top predators in their natural environment is a true privilege!

The Salish sea was also home to many other marine mammals and other wildlife, including Stellar & California Sealions, Harbor Seals, Elephant Seals, Harbor & Dalls Porpoise, Eagles, Brown Pelicans, Grey Whales, Minke Whales and perhaps the most exciting aspect of the season, the large number of Humpback Whales.

The strong return of Humpback Whales in the area is an exciting prospect for all of us fortunate to be in the Whale Watching industry. These Humpbacks provided some of the most amazing trips of the season. We witnessed lunge feeding, bubble feeding, Tailslaps, Cartwheels and the most impressive breaches that just took your breath away!!!!!

So now another season has come and gone but the memories from the season and the wonderful passengers we welcomed aboard our boats, will remain for a long time to come.

Thank you to all out passengers for choosing Five Star Whale Watching, it was a pleasure meeting you and we look forward to you joining us for more adventures in 2008!