We were very excited to get off the dock on a sunny day on the Salish Sea! Off we went, heading south to see who we could spot. The first thing we saw was a towering dorsal fin — but wait, there was more! Not just one, but three tall dorsals cut through the waves. It was the T019s, with an extra boy in tow. Today, the family had another tagalong — a familiar fin and a lookalike of T019B Galiano… T049A2 Jude! Now that Jude has hit puberty, his dorsal fin has begun to curl more and more. While Jude and Galiano look very similar, there’s one distinct difference: the boys lean in different directions! Galiano leans to the left, whereas Jude leans to the right.

The whales present today were:

Jude is one of the more ‘unusual’ whales in the Transient population. He left his family at a relatively young age and has been venturing mostly on his own, occasionally joining up with other solitary males or pods. The ocean is filled with mysteries, and few marine creatures capture our fascination like orca. Also known as killer whales, orca are highly intelligent, social predators with complex family structures. But occasionally, a striking sight catches the attention of researchers and whale watchers alike: a lone male transient orca cutting silently through the waves. Why would such a social creature choose—or end up—on its own?

Searching for mates.

Adult male orca often travel solo or in loose associations when they’re seeking out females from other family groups. Since inbreeding is avoided, males must look beyond their maternal pod to reproduce. Travelling alone may allow them to be more discreet and agile in this pursuit.

Temporary Separation.

Transient orca don’t have the same tightly-knit, life-long pod structures as residents. Family members may split off temporarily for days or weeks, especially if food sources are scattered or if a male is capable of hunting on his own. These separations are often strategic rather than permanent.

Independence with age.

As male orca mature, they sometimes become more independent. A fully grown male can be over 25 feet long and weigh up to 14,000 pounds—large enough to manage solo hunts and long-distance travel. Some may choose solitude more often, especially if it helps them avoid competition or increase mating opportunities.

Loss of family or social group.

In rare cases, a lone male transient may be truly isolated due to the loss of his immediate family. Although transient orca aren’t as dependent on their families as residents, they still benefit from cooperation. A male who has lost his group may eventually seek out or rejoin others, but this transition period can be solitary.

Preference or strategy.

Just as humans have unique personalities, orca do too. Some individuals may naturally prefer more time alone. Others may use solo movement as a hunting strategy—stealthily targeting prey without the noise or movement of a group.

Seeing a lone orca can spark concern, but solitude isn't necessarily a sign of trouble. Transient males are incredibly capable on their own, and their solitary journeys can be part of a healthy, strategic lifestyle. In fact, researchers continue to track and study these individuals to better understand how their solo patterns contribute to overall population dynamics.

Whether joining family groups or forging ahead alone, these male orca play a vital role in the ecology of the sea. Each encounter with a lone male is a chance to glimpse the nuanced, often unpredictable nature of life in the ocean!

Speaking of life in the ocean, we had to make our way back and see what other wildlife we might spot! We had multiple chances to spend time with our bald eagles, noticing plenty soaring above as well as resting in the trees. One eagle we’ve become quite fond of is Bonnie, who has used the same nest for several seasons. This time, we spotted her sitting on what we believe are newly hatched chicks! We suspect they’ve hatched, as she’s now sitting much higher in the nest. Keep an eye on our blogs to find out how many fuzzy little heads will be popping up soon! Another bird we love to spot out here is the turkey vulture — our clean-up crew. With their distinct red heads and large nostrils, they’re always an interesting sight. A handy way to tell the difference between eagles and vultures when they’re soaring above is by looking at their wing shape: eagles typically fly with their wings flat, while vultures soar in a V shape. We also spotted some “spotted rock sausages” — or, as they’re better known, harbour seals! Their speckled coats serve an important purpose: camouflage against the rocks. In addition to seals, we got to meet both species of sea lions: the giant Steller’s and their smaller, noisier cousins, the California sea lions. All three of these pinniped species have something in common: they love basking in the sun on rocks or log booms. This is how they warm themselves up after foraging in the deep, cold water. Usually, they get along well, but occasionally, we do see some squabbles over the best spots! We made one final stop to see the comorants at the Gabriola Bluffs before heading home. They’re hard to miss with their striking black feathers and breeding plumage this time of year!

Enjoy the photos below taken by Marine Naturalist Hayleigh Hilbert.

May 2, 2025 - T019s and T049A2 Jude travelling in the Strait