May 26th - Humpback whale research and the T101s.
On Sunday, May 26th Vancouver Island whale watch lent their boats to Keta Coastal Conservation and some lucky guests got to take part in some humpback research, featuring Heather and Raptor.
Heather (right) and Raptor (left) going down for another dive together. Raptor has an elongated dorsal fin compared to Heathers shorter one. Photo by guest Jennifer Harmer.
The intervals between blows was counted along with any activities that were observed at the surface, in this case we got to see a very exciting behaviour, feeding lunges!
Feeding lunge! Look at all the water inside of Heathers Mouth! Photo by Jennifer Harmer.
This is when the whales lunge to the surface with their mouths open, catching any small fish and plankton that are along the way. The observation of this behaviour is uncommon in the area, but goes to show that there is enough food in the area this time of year for the humpbacks.
Heathers fluke! Her other name, Quattro, is inspired by the marks on the left side of the fluke that look like a “4”. Can you see them? Photo by Rodrigo Menezes.
Once through observing the humpbacks the boats headed home, checking out seals and sea lions along the way.
Harbour seals hauled out on the rocks! Check out the red on the ones neck, perhaps a run-in with some transient orca? Photo by Rodrigo Menezes.
In the afternoon both our boats headed out to find the whales again. Heather and Raptor were found again, still feeding in the same area as the morning trip! humpback whales will typically spend more time where the food is the most dense to get the most bang for their buck, energy-wise. Where the food is thicker, there will be more energy consumed per dive. After watching the humpbacks for a while the boat got a report of Orca in the area and headed out to see those as well!
Raptor going down for a feeding dive. Photos taken by Rodrigo Menezes.
It was the T101’s who were found travelling alongside the bell chain islands. They travelled with this pod for a while then headed back for the harbour.
Go Raptors! This is Raptor (BCY0660) the humpback whale. It got its nickname from the white “Raptor scratches” on the right side of the fluke. They are faint, do you see them? Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
A lunge feeding humpback breaks through the surface! Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Double humpback whale heads! Heather and Raptor surface with mouths full of food! Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Active Pass is just that, active! BC Ferries passengers get a look at these two humpbacks before they go on a deep dive. Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
In great conditions you can see a humpback blow from miles away! These two had a big exhale after a deep feeding dive. Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Fluke of Heather in front of a beautiful mountain backdrop! Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Blurry, but you can see the baleen in this whale’s mouth! Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Look closely to see the tubercles (bumps) on the face of the whale and the water coming out the sides of the mouth! Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
One of the T101s foraging in the Strait! Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Even though the boys are bigger, mom is in charge! Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Spyhop! Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher