August 8th - Humpback in the morning, Orcas in the afternoon!

August 8th was another great day as we saw a humpback in the morning and transient killer whales in the afternoon. In the morning we saw BCX1251 “Orion” near Porlier Pass. Humpbacks like to migrate to BC due to its cool, temperate waters where there is higher nutrient content than warmer, more tropical waters. They feed on krill, plankton and small fish in this time of year. Humpbacks will migrate to warmer waters where they go to mate. The population that we see here in BC typically have their breeding grounds in Hawaii or Mexico.

Orion fluke shot! Photo by Rebeka Pirker (10:30).

Photo by Rebeka Pirker (10:30)

In the afternoon, we headed back to Porlier Pass where this time we found some Transient Orca, the T18’s! This pod consists of Esperanza (T18), her daughter Nootka/Moojah (T19), and Nootka/Moojah’s children Galiano (T19B) and Spouter (T19C). Esperanza was born in 1955, making her 64 years old! Her daughter Nootka/Moojah is 54 years old, and her grandchildren Galiano and Spouter are 24 and 18 years old. Female orcas have a lifespan of about 60-80 years while the males have a shorter one of only about 40-60 years.

Spouter coming up to breathe. Photo by Rebeka Pirker (3:30).

Spouter (right) with his mom (middle) and grandmother (left). Photo by Rebeka Pirker (3:30).

Photo by Rebeka Pirker (3:30).

Great Blue Heron. Photo by Rebeka Pirker (3:30)

Bald Eagle perched on a tree. Photo by Rebeka Pirker (3:30).

Harbour seals at a haul out zone. Photo by Jilann Campbell (10:30).