August 15th - Sunshine Coast adventures and the best friends of the Strait!

On August 15, we started our day off with an exhilarating ride across the Strait of Georgia to the Sunshine Coast to visit the T101’s. This pod is made up of 4 individuals: The matriarch T101 - “Reef”, and her three sons: "T101A - “Rush”, T101B - “Lagoon”, and T102 - “Beardslee”. Beardslee should actually be T101A, meaning the first offspring of T101, but because he was originally spotted all by himself he was dubbed T102 with no relation to Reef and her pod. We have now discovered he’s one of T101’s three sons!

T101 is estimated to have been born around 1973, making her at least 46 years old. At this point in her life she is going through menopause, just like humans do! When matriarchs go through menopause they become the lead hunter for the pod, making sure every other member has enough food.

In the afternoon we ventured down to Porlier Pass where best friends Heather and Raptor were playing around. They started cartwheeling beside the boat which is always impressive to see!

Book your trip with us for your chance to see all this wildlife and more!

Call our office at 1-250-667-5177 or book online through our website. Our open vessel departs daily at 10:30AM and 3:30PM

Our Whale Guarantee: See a Humpback or an Orca with us, or you get a voucher for a free trip! This voucher is good for life, no expiry date!

T101 - “Reef” (left) and her oldest son T102 - “Beardslee” (right) close behind. Look at that size difference! Photo by Rodrigo Menezes (10:30).

BCY0660 - “Raptor” cruising along. Photo by Rodrigo Menezes (3:30).

BCY0660 - “Raptor” diving. Photo by Rodrigo Menezes (3:30).

T101 - “Reef (left) and T102 - “Beardslee” (right) cruising along the Sunshine Coast. Sequence by Rodrigo Menezes (10:30).

BCY0660 - “Raptor” fluking in the afternoon. Sequence by Rodrigo Menezes (3:30).

T102 - “Beardslee”. Notice the distinct curve in the tip of his dorsal? Photo by Cheyenne Brewster (10:30).

Jilann LechnerAugust 16, 20191 Comment