August 1st - Orcas and Humpbacks near Saltspring!
On the morning of August 1st, we set out on look for whales when we got a report that there were two humpback whales northwest of Trasher rock. Those two humpbacks were identified to be Zigzag and her calf Scuba! They were pretty active as they were seen to be milling, barrel rolling and even breaching! Unfortunately, we were unable to get pictures of Zigzag and Scuba.
In the afternoon, we found a pod of 5 transient killer whales near Burgoyne Bay of Saltspring Island. These orcas were identified to be the T65A’s. The pod consisted of Fingers (T65A), Amira (T65A3), Ellifrit (T65A4), Elsie (T65A5) and T65A6, who was born in 2018. Ooxjaa (T65A2), who normally travels with this pod was not with them today, so it’s possible that he is current looking for a mate. Fingers and her pod were quite active today, as they were doing lots of tail slaps and some breaching. Afterwards, we found another humpback whale east of Crofton, who we identified to be Mantis.
Ellifrit (T65A) and Elsie (T65A5) surfacing with T65A6. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster (3:30).
Amira (T65A3) and Fingers (T65A). (Photo by Cheyenne Brewster (3:30).
Sequence by Cheyenne Brewster (3:30).
Lots of tail-slaps today! Photo by Cheyenne Brewster (3:30).
Photo by Cheyenne Brewster (3:30).
Mantis coming up for air. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster (3:30).
Photo by Cheyenne Brewster (3:30).