May 3, 2024 - Double species day - A surprise grey whale, and the Howe Sound T-party starts again!

We started the day by turning out towards the Strait of Georgia, the large body of water that separates Vancouver Island from the Mainland of BC, scanning the waters in search of whales. The area had been busy with activity the last few days, so we were hopeful there would be more whales around today! We scanned and scanned, until suddenly, we spotted a blow!
We slowed down and kept watching for a dorsal fin to appear. We believed that this surprise whale was a humpback. Oddly enough, we didn’t see a dorsal at all. That’s when we realized it wasn’t a humpback like originally expected - it was a grey whale! Grey whales are typically seen closer to shore, so we were quite surprised to see one out in the middle of the Strait! They are also one of our more uncommonly spotted species, so it was amazing to find one out here today!
We were able to snap a couple of photos of this whale’s side and are hopeful we can cross-match them to a catalogue to figure out who they are, similar to how we ID our Orca and Humpbacks. While we have been unable to ID this grey whale yet, we will continue searching and if we have any luck we will update this blog!
This sleepy little grey whale was doing some long dives so after grabbing some photos we left them to continue our search.

After searching for a little while longer, we took a break to stop and see other wildlife. Our trip today took us across the Strait where we stopped at the White Islets to see our pinnipeds at one of their favourite haulouts. Many of the grumbly giants were perched high up on the rocks, snoozing away. We watched as a number of them bounced out of the water and started waddling their way up the rocks to better nap spots.

We got word of a group of orca spotted nearby and we were once again off in search mode. These whales were spotted near Halibut Bank. After a couple of snaps, we ID’d them as members from the following 3 matrilines:

T071B1 Zengo ♀ (2013)
T071B2 Tasli/Nemo ♂ (2018)

T086A3 Tyndall ♀ (2011)
T086A3A (2024)

T124A2 Elkugu ♀ (2001)
T124A2A Agafia ♂ (2013)
T124A2B Litton ♀ (2016)

The party was zig-zagging along together while we observed them. It appeared that they might have been group napping as they changed directions and slowly meandered on. After a bit, the party broke up for a little bit. Maybe they weren’t feeling social anymore? Either way, the break-up was short-lived, as they gathered back up together shortly after. Once they were buddied up once more they started booking it towards Howe Sound. We said our goodbyes and left them behind to start heading back towards the Nanaimo side of the Strait towards the Gabriola Bluffs for some more wildlife sightings.

The Bluffs was an extra interesting stop today as we watched a Bald Eagle soar down to the water’s surface and catch a fish right in front of us! One of our active nests is very close to the water’s edge, so we were able to see this proud parent fly his catch back to his awaiting mate. We continued onwards to look at the beautiful formations at the Gabriola Bluffs one last time before we turned and headed back to the dock. Double species days are always neat, but it isn’t very common where we get to have a Grey Whale - Orca double species day, so today was extra interesting!

Photos by Marine Naturalist Val Watson.

Some harbour seals lounging on the shore.

The White Islets is a favourite haulout for our sea lions.

Grumbling amongst each other on the rocks.

T124A2B Litton and her mother T124A2 Elkugu.

T124A2 Elkugu with her daughter T124A2B Litton in front of her.

T124A2B Litton with her mother T124A2 Elkugu ahead of her.

T124A2B Litton with her mother T124A2 Elkugu behind her.

From left to right: T086A3A, T086A3 Tyndall, T124A2B Litton, and T124A2 Elkugu.

One of the formations at the Gabriola bluffs.

Jilann LechnerMay 3, 2024WhalesComment