August 10th - T065A2 "Ooxjaa" and a whole lot of Humpbacks!

On August 10th we were lucky enough to find a single male orca, T065A2 “Ooxjaa” travelling through the Strait of Georgia and into the Southern gulf islands as well as 6 other humpbacks whales spread throughout the area!

T065A2 “Ooxjaa” has been travelling away from the rest of his family for the last few weeks, spending at first some time with his aunt and other members of the T065Bs then heading out solo. It is possible that he may still be in contact with the rest of his family through vocalizations underwater which can travel quite the far distance or he might simply be taking a break from his family. He is a 15 year old male which means he is coming into the age where he might be looking for mates but we haven’t been seeing him travelling with any other groups yet.

T065A2 “Ooxjaa” time will tell what he’s up to all by himself. Photo by Val Watson.

After spending some time with Ooxjaa we also came across some humpback whales who have been hanging out in the Strait of Georgia lately. There was BCX0870 “Scoop”, BCX1057 “Divot”, BCX1193 “Slate” and her calf, BCY0160 “Heather”, BCY0324 “Big Momma”, and BCX1251 “Orion”. These animals are here feeding in our nutrient rich waters and right now are spread all across the Salish Sea. We got plenty of amazing photos from the day, which you can check out below.

Divot showing off her fluke! Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

Ooxjaa travelling through the water. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

Bald Eagle munching on a freshly caught fish! Photo by Val Watson.

Yummy! Photo by Val Watson.

Can you spot the King Fisher here? Photo by Val Watson.

King fisher keeping a careful watch over the water. Photo by Val Watson.

Orion going for a feeding dive. Photo by Val Watson.

Heather diving at sunset. Photo by Val Watson.

There is two humpbacks here! can you see both? Photo by Val Watson.

Heather (right) and Big Momma (left) at the surface together. Photo by Val Watson.

Ooxjaa at the surface! Photo by Val Watson.

Scoop going down for a dive! Photo by Val Watson.

Another two humpbacks with Vancouvers skyline in the background. Photo by Val Watson.