Days passed before Resident whales returned. The surprise was the A25s coming back from their turn in the Salish Sea. There had been word that they may have passed West Thurlow Island the evening before. Calls were heard around 4am in Johnstone Strait when the A25s approached the Ecological Reserve from the east. Gradually, they came west and were heard on the Critical Point system at 5:09am and on Kaizumi’s next at 6:40am, then on Parson Island’s before turning into Blackney Pass. As they headed north only Cordero (A85) and A121 were clearly visible in the still dull morning light. Later, it was suggested that A61 had been quite a bit ahead of the others.
They were later seen off the Polkinghorn Islets around noon.
On the 27th, the Achiever Research vessel had come across a large group of Residents in Goleta’s Channel (west of Port Hardy). The group included the A62s, A23s, I4s, R18s and possible G27s. When they left in the afternoon the orcas were going west.
Anticipation for more Residents to come back took a positive turn in the afternoon of the 28th. Troy sent word that he saw nine orcas heading east while hearing A1 calls off Bere Point in Queen Charlotte Strait at 1:30pm and later confirmed that it was the A54s headed east after a short rub.
Finally, around 4:45pm, the A54s came into view of the Donegal Head observation post travelling very close to the Malcolm Island shore through the kelp. Very slowly they moved from there into Blackfish Sound. We did not hear any calls until almost 6pm.
Then we waited and waited. The evening was beautiful, the promise of seeing orcas hopeful. We waited and waited, resting our hopes on the assurances from those who could see what was happening around Burnt Point that the A54s were still on their way, spread from mid channel to Hanson Island, but making very little progress against the outgoing tide, seemingly content to take their time.
The humpbacks, a rainbow and a sea otter offered welcomed distractions.
Finally, just before 9:30pm, they emerged from Blackfish Sound and into view of the Lab. less than half an hour later they turned and went back north.
For and the start of a new chapter and a new day, there were a few calls at 1:48am in Blackfish and then in Johnstone Strait at 4:23am.
