July 21st & 22nd – Resident Orcas both days!
We have had incredible encounter with Resident Orcas during the past two days. We got to see foraging (hunting for Salmon), breaches, tail slaps and spyhops during ours tours during the past tow days.
Thursday, October 08, 2015
July 21st & 22nd - Resident Orcas both days!
We have had incredible encounter with Resident Orcas during the past two days. We got to see foraging (hunting for Salmon), breaches, tail slaps and spyhops during ours tours during the past tow days.
July 20th - Resident Orcas near Lime Kiln!
July 20th – Resident Orcas near Lime Kiln!
Despite some blustery conditions we had a lovely encounter with Resident Orcas off the west side of San Juan today! The winds also made for a thrilling ride on the way home 
You can see more images from today at the following link;
July 19th - Resident Orcas again!
July 19th – Resident Orcas again:)
Jpod
We had another wonderful day with Resident Orcas today!
July 18th - Resident Orcas out west!
July 18th – Resident Orcas out west!
Resident Orcas
Today we had Resident Orcas moving back into the Salish Sea and we caught up with them in the morning near Sooke We identified members of all three pods (J, K & Lpod) but spent most of our time with members of J & Kpod! We got to see Cart wheels, tail slaps, tail lobs, pectoral slaps & waves, spy hops and breaches as we watched the Orcas move west. It was a breathtaking encounter!
We identified members of all three pods (J, K & Lpod) but spent most of our time with members of J & Kpod! We got to see Cart wheels, tail slaps, tail lobs, pectoral slaps & waves, spy hops and breaches as we watched the Orcas move west. It was a breathtaking encounter!
You can see more images from this incredible encounter at the following link;
July 17th PM - Incredible evening with Resident Orcas
July 17th PM – Incredible evening with Resident Orcas
Resident Orcas
We had an incredible evening adventure with Resident Orcas off San Juan including members of Kpod & L87! The Orcas were spread out from north of Lime Kiln to south of Hanna Heights as they foraged for Salmon. L87 Oynx put on a real show as he first chased a Salmon, which he caught after a brief chase, then he did a spectacular breach!
We also saw several Harbor Seals & Harbor Porpoise this evening and were welcomed back to the harbor by a stunning sunset
You can see more images from this evening at the following link;
July 17th - Resident Orcas & a Minke Whale
July 17th – Resident Orcas & a Minke Whale
Resident Orcas
Today we encountered playful Resident Orcas off the west side of San Juan Island and a Minke Whale The Orcas were in a very playful mood today as we watched several cartwheels, tail slaps, breaches and spyhops. We also encountered a Minke Whale that seemed determined to mug our boat despite the best intentions of our Captain Apart from the whales we also got to see Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals and a Sea Lion today!
The Orcas were in a very playful mood today as we watched several cartwheels, tail slaps, breaches and spyhops. We also encountered a Minke Whale that seemed determined to mug our boat despite the best intentions of our Captain Apart from the whales we also got to see Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals and a Sea Lion today!
You can see more images from today at the following link;
July 16th - Humpback Whale this afternoon near Race Rocks!
July 16th – Humpback Whale this afternoon near Race Rocks!
Humpback Whale
This afternoon we encountered a Humpback Whale near Race Rocks! The Humpback was surfacing regularly and we also got to see it tail fluke several time as it went on deep dives. We also heard it trumpet a few times as well Apart from the Humpback we also got to see both Steller & California Sea Lions and Harbor Seals at Race Rocks. We also saw 3 Northern Elephant Seals, including two large Bulls that can be over 13 feet long and weight over 4000lbs!!!!! Great weather, awesome guests and amazing marine life, what more could you ask for
Apart from the Humpback we also got to see both Steller & California Sea Lions and Harbor Seals at Race Rocks. We also saw 3 Northern Elephant Seals, including two large Bulls that can be over 13 feet long and weight over 4000lbs!!!!! Great weather, awesome guests and amazing marine life, what more could you ask for
To see more images from this encounter please click on the link below;
July 16th AM - Morning with Lunge feeding Minke Whales!
July 16th AM – Morning with Lunge feeding Minke Whales!
Minke Whale
This morning we had a fantastic encounter with 5 lunge feeding Minke Whales at Hein Bank Minke Whale’s are one of the smallest Balean Whales but also one of the most robust, streamline and fastest. Minke Whales usually travel at 6-8 knots but have been recorded at speeds between 20-25 knots. When we were watching the Minke’s today we often saw them blast through the water like a freight train as they attacked multiple bait balls at Hein Bank. Their preferred prey is small fish such as Sand Lance or Herring and these fish can be found in abundance at places like Hein Bank.
Minke Whale’s are one of the smallest Balean Whales but also one of the most robust, streamline and fastest. Minke Whales usually travel at 6-8 knots but have been recorded at speeds between 20-25 knots. When we were watching the Minke’s today we often saw them blast through the water like a freight train as they attacked multiple bait balls at Hein Bank. Their preferred prey is small fish such as Sand Lance or Herring and these fish can be found in abundance at places like Hein Bank.
Apart from the Minke’s we also got to see a large amount of Harbor Seals and Harbor Porpoise.
You can see more images from this encounter by clicking on the following link;
July 15th - Incredible encounter with L87 Onyx!
July 15th – Incredible encounter with L87 Onyx!
Today we had another wonderful day with Resident Orcas off San Juan and the highlight of the day was when L87 Onyx chased a Salmon just 200 yards from our boat! It was an amazing sight and just shows the speed and power of the oceans top predator Orcas can achieve speeds of 30 miles an hour or 50 kph when chasing their prey. They use their incredibly complex and sophisticated sonar called eco location to hunt the Salmon and can even stun the Salmon when they get close enough.
Orcas can achieve speeds of 30 miles an hour or 50 kph when chasing their prey. They use their incredibly complex and sophisticated sonar called eco location to hunt the Salmon and can even stun the Salmon when they get close enough.July 13th - Orcas & a Humpback Whale!
July 13th – Orcas & a Humpback Whale
Orcas
Humpback Whale
Today we had encounters with Resident Orcas and a Humpback Whale! In the morning we encountered Resident Orcas near Pender Bluffs rapidly north towards Active Pass. We got see some amazing porpoising action as members of Jpod swam at high speed. We use the dorsal fin & saddle patch to identify the different Orcas (see the picture above for a good example) as each one is as unique as our finger print.
In the afternoon we heard about a Humpback Whale just south of Victoria near Race Rocks. We got to see some wonderful tail flukes as the Humpback went on its long dives. On Humpback Whales we use the markings on the underneath of their tail flukes for identification.
Apart from the Orcas & Humpback Whale, we also saw lots of Harbor Seals today, as well as Sea Lions and Elephant Seals.
To see more images from today’s encounters click on the following link;
July 11th - Resident Orcas near Battleship!
July 11th – Resident Orcas near Battleship!
Orcas
This morning we had a memorable encounter with members of Jpod & L87 Onyx near Battleship Island. The Orcas were in a very playful mood, especially Onyx, who could be seen on his back several times waving his large pectoral fins! We also got to see a wonderful spy hops as well as one of the new babies:) Apart from the Orcas we also got to see Harbor Seals, Porpoise, Great Blue Herons and in the afternoon Humpback Whales.
You can see more images from today at the following link;
July 10th – Resident Orcas all day!
Resident Orcas Breaching!
Today we had encounters with Resident Orcas on both our tours once again and it was a fantastic day! In the morning the Orcas were just east of Victoria Harbor and were making their way towards San Juan Island. We identified the Orcas as a mix of J & Kpod. The Orcas were close together in two groups as they slowly made their way past the Victoria waterfront In the afternoon the Orcas had spread out and were foraging along the west side of San Juan Island, looking for Salmon. We got to see L87 “Oynx”, K26 “Lobo” and J2 “Granny” amongst many others. At one point we were the only boat following Granny and another female and then suddenly Granny breached!!!! The old girl still has some spunk 
We also got to see a number of Harbor Seal’s & their new born Pups today.
In the afternoon the Orcas had spread out and were foraging along the west side of San Juan Island, looking for Salmon. We got to see L87 “Oynx”, K26 “Lobo” and J2 “Granny” amongst many others. At one point we were the only boat following Granny and another female and then suddenly Granny breached!!!! The old girl still has some spunk We also got to see a number of Harbor Seal’s & their new born Pups today.
If you would like to see more images from today’s tours please click on the link below;
July 9th - Humpback Whale out west!
July 9th – Humpback Whale out west!
Humpback Whale
Humpback near Victoria
Tail fluke
This afternoon we had a great encouner with a Humpback Whale out west! This particular Humpback has been seen wandering around the Salish Sea for a few weeks now and this time we encountered the Whale near Church Rocks, just west of Race Rocks. We got to see its large Tail Fluke a number of times as the Whale made a deep dive. It also surfaced a couple of times just over 100 feet from our boat, thrilling our passengers. Humpback Whales are the largest whales we see on a consistent basis in our area and their comeback is so exciting to see as each year we get more and more returning to the Salish Sea
We also got to see a Bald Eagle as well as several Harbor Seals and even a California Sea Lion at Race Rocks.
You can see more images from today’s encounter at the link below;
July 6th - Incredible Superpod encounter!
July 6th – Incredible Superpod encounter!
Superpod
Breaching
Breach
Today we had an incredible Superpod encounter off San Juan Island All three pods, J, K & Lpod came together south of False Bay and traveled north along the west side of San Juan. We got to see an incredible amount of breaches, tail slaps, cart wheels, and spy hops from the pods, it was a breathtaking sight. The Orcas that were breaching included K21 “Cappuccino” & K26 “Lobo”, plus a number of other’s who were getting in on the act!
All three pods, J, K & Lpod came together south of False Bay and traveled north along the west side of San Juan. We got to see an incredible amount of breaches, tail slaps, cart wheels, and spy hops from the pods, it was a breathtaking sight. The Orcas that were breaching included K21 “Cappuccino” & K26 “Lobo”, plus a number of other’s who were getting in on the act!
If you would like to see more images from this incredible encounter click on the link below;
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)