August 25th unfolded at a much gentler pace than we expected since this week is historically the busiest week of the season. At 9:54am, the T019s were reported just outside the Bight, in line with Critical Point and heading west. By 12:25 they were seen continuing west through eastern Blackfish Sound, and at 1:15pm they were seen carrying on into Queen Charlotte Strait. The humpbacks took over the night with some bubble net feeding calls and vocals on Flower island from around 10:14pm until shortly before midnight.
Perhaps the quiet day was simply to prepare us for the 26th.
The morning started innocently enough, with a little echolocation on Flower Island before dawn and some humpback vocals around 6:22am. By mid-morning, however, reports of Bigg’s seemed to be appearing from just about every direction. The T065Bs were heading east past Kaikash and into the Bight, while reports came in of other orcas around the Broughton Archipelago, Cormorant Island and Queen Charlotte Strait. A group of 5 orcas, who were probably the A34s, off Donegal Head even had a youngster nosing around and playing in the kelp.
The T055s soon joined the picture, travelling west through Village Channel and White Beach Pass before emerging into Blackfish Sound at 11:34am. Not long after at 11:51 it was reported that orcas (most likely the T055s) were in Blackney Pass and travelling south, though we couldn’t seem to locate them or the whale watching vessels! They evaded our eyes, cleared Blackney, and were reported around Cracroft Point shortly after noon. Then at 12:11 we received a report that the T055s had turned around and were headed north again towards Little Hanson and by 12:26pm, were properly in our view in Blackney Pass travelling north. Dall’s Porpoises travelled alongside them, though seemed to be keeping a sensible bit of distance. Near Second Bay there was a large splash and some apparent hunting behaviour. The sea lions that were gathered around Parson Light suddenly looked considerably less relaxed. The T055s passed close by, but spared them the trouble, and continued slowly north against a strong current before clearing the Pass shortly after 1pm.
Meanwhile, the A34s were reported to have spread widely between Penfold and the White Cliffs by 2:27pm, with much of the family busy foraging. One male travelled ahead while a female and juvenile lagged behind chasing salmon, a rather different lunch menu from the Bigg’s elsewhere in the area.
And there were still more Bigg’s about. The T109s, T109Ds and T109E were reported westing near Single Tree Point in the afternoon, while other fins continued popping up around the Pearse Islands. For a while, keeping track of who was where became something of a puzzle.
The A34s had continued foraging until 5:56pm, at which point it seemed as though they had finally committed to an eastward journey towards Blackney Pass. A80 was later reported leading the way past Wedge Island shortly before 9pm.
Prior to the sun setting, we were treated to a very active Inukshuk – lots of tail slapping and body rolls! Always such a treat to see him enjoying his best life. Then, the humpbacks once again claimed Flower Island for the evening. A long bubble-net feeding call came through at 8:33pm, bubbles included! This was broken up by some echolocation on Flower Island: Bigg’s? A34s? Unfortunately, they never revealed themselves with vocals.
After a gentler pace of the 25th, the 26th certainly made up for it: Bigg’s in seemingly every direction, A34s chasing salmon and having a healthy meal, nervous Sea Lions, Dall’s trying not to get too involved, and humpbacks providing the evening soundtrack. Just another day here at OrcaLab!
