The main narrative for these days really revolves around the many Humpback Whales still occupying the entire area from Queen Charlotte Strait to Johnstone Strait. Though some may have moved on and begun their epic migration to warmer climes it feels like the majority are still here. On November 4th Claire counted and identified as many as eighteen individuals in Blackney Pass alone. Those were the ones most readily visible. There may have been more and certainly others were unseen in Blackfish Sound and Johnstone Strait. Many have become very familiar regulars, some having been around for many months.
Clouds of sea birds are often a first clue as to where to expect a surfacing whale. Daring to lightly touch the surface for the chance of food, then rising and scattering quickly to avoid being caught in the whale’s huge emerging, gaping mouth. Some miscalculate and become unwitting bycatch.
These days the humpbacks often form temporary small groups so it is not unusual to see several individuals working the same locations. Nothing is more thrilling than when this happens close to the Lab as it did on November 4th, 6th, and 7th. On the 7th Ace and Conger joined forces, swirled about, lunged and dove. The moment was not long and when over Conger went off to the south and Ace, joined by Nebula, went north around Burnt Point. Not only the physical power of these huge beings was on full display but they were wonderfully vocal at the same time.
The remote cameras, like the one at Cracroft Point, still help keep track of those whales beyond Blackney Pass. On one such occasion, Inukshuk in the afternoon of November 4th took time away from the more populated Blackney Pass and moved into Johnstone Strait and was clearly visible on the remote camera.
Although often vocal during the day these days, the evenings and nighttime are definitely filled with their sounds, ranging from just a few vocals to sustained songs lasting sometimes as much as three hours and consisting of a complex mixture of calls and phrases. In Blackfish, Blackney and or Johnstone Strait different individuals sometimes chime in at the same time. Such was the case November 6th and 7th.
November 5th had its share of humpback sightings and sounds but also a very brief revisit from the A5s, most likely the A23s. Their calls happened in Blackfish Sound briefly from 4:47pm until 5:03pm. They were not heard again until they had negotiated Weynton Pass and entered Johnstone Strait by at least 8:14pm. That was it until the next day just before 12pm when Alex Morton heard a few more calls. These were never sourced and so it is unclear if they were leaving the area to the west or east. November 7th offered no further clues.
The weather has been quite unsettled, lots of rain, some sun, even a rainbow and lots of wind. As a result the Lab has continued to prepare for winter when conditions are known to get even more extreme. Prof. Hervé Glotin’s “Stethorca” hydrophone array has already partially been dismantled. Over the next while some of the remote sites will also be taken down and stored for the winter safely until brought out and reinstalled next Spring. Enough of the hydrophone and camera networks will remain in place to ensure continuous listening and watching.
