We have been a bit remiss lately having not done a summary since the A34s left on October 12. Possibly it took a while to realize that they had gone (they may yet return) and our focus changed from a daily routine of following the A34s in, around and out of the area on a 24 hour basis. Instead the days (really the nights) have been shaped by the humpbacks who begin to vocalise after dark and continue throughout the night and early morning, usually easing off after dawn. These last few days have become somewhat predictable as a result. Each day has been so similar that it is possible to condense comments.
The humpbacks chose Blackfish Sound, the entrance to Blackney Pass and the adjacent area across from Cracroft Point. Sometimes solitary but at other times pairing up with one or two others. There have been times when a humpback will journey from one locale to another aa you hear him grow faint on one hydrophone and then get stronger soon after on another. Sometimes their calls echo between stations. This year they have developed a preference for long bouts of “moans”, modulated single toned calls and by doing so have created interesting soundscapes that sound different from years past. When more than one is involved the moans and calls take on a harmonic quality. If you have the inclination and our nighttime is favourable to your local time please try to listen on our website www.orcalab.org , you will soon see what we are talking about.
The humpbacks are not always alone. Pacific White-sided dolphins often chatter and Bigg’s orcas have let it be known that they are in the area but the humpbacks are the constance.
A couple of days need mention. Bigg’s orcas turned up on October 15th at 7;30am in Blackney Pass. They travelled north along the far side and were gone by 7:57am. Dawn was just breaking, creating a lovely canvas for their passage. We are waiting on FinWave to let us know who these whales were.
On October 16th, at 10:33pm Bigg’s orcas in Blackfish Sound began their own vocal session. Coincidently, dolphins began in Johnstone Strait at the same time. The dolphins were excited, splashed about energetically but were nowhere near the Bigg’s orcas. However, the combined sounds were pretty wild. Afterwards the dolphins carried on for a while into the early hours of the 17th and a humpback, possibly two, created very clear and beautiful sounds.
We had some changes at the Lab. Jianna, Rich and Lydia had left and Megan arrived, followed by Suzie and Quin, who all got to work dismantling the underwater and surface cameras at Strider Beach in preparation for winter and the onset of less predictable weather. Attention was paid to making sure the 2nd mooring was improved, as well as, a few tweaks in the Lab that will hopefully make operations more stable. At the conclusion of these tasks we managed a late Thanksgiving dinner, inviting Nicolette from Double Bay to join us.
In place of day by day, hour by hour accounts of the last five days we offer this photographic collage.
