July 6th - A hungry humpback whale named Prowler!
Today we spent some time hanging out with Prowler the Humpback. Prowler was found off of Entrance Island doing some deep feeding dives. Along with some feeding Prowler was also showing off by peck slapping, chin slapping, and tail lobbing.
This Humpback traveled all the way here from either Hawaii or Mexico, which is where the Salish Sea Humpbacks spend the winters, for breeding and calving. After the long trip back to our cooler waters they start eating and basically don’t stop until they are ready to head south again.
Check out the cool photos our naturalists got during the tour.
Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Humpbacks were once hunted extensively world wide, reducing their numbers to about 5,000 animals globally. in 1966 a ban was placed, protecting the whales from being hunted. At this point their populations had been reduced by as much as 90% from their previous size. However, since the hunting ban went into effect, our Humpbacks have been slowly recovering. It’s now estimated that there are around 80,000 Humpbacks across the globe. Being able to see these beautiful giants every summer in the Salish Sea is a real treat.
Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Photo by Val Watson
Photo by Val Watson
Prowler has a unique end on his fin which is how we identify him on the water.
Photo by Val Watson
Photo by Val Watson
On Gabriola Island we have a breeding population of both Double-Crested Cormorants and Pelagic Cormorants. These birds nest on the steep cliffs of the island, using their own built nests or reclaimed nests from other bird species. These guys have nests full of babies right now that are getting quite big. It won’t be long until they leave the nest and start hunting for their own food.
You can tell the 2 species apart pretty easily. The Double-Crested Cormorants have yellow-orange beaks, while the Pelagic Cormorants have black beaks and iridescent blue-green throat feathers.
Double-Crested Cormorants in their nests. Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
A few Adult Pelagic Cormorants baby-sitting the chicks. Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
Double crested cormorants in a small nest. Photo by Natalie Reichenbacher
You can book your own tour to see whales and other incredible Salish Sea wildlife directly through our website, email at info@vancouverislandwhalewatch.com, over the phone at 250-667-5177 or in person in our office.
We are currently running daily tours at 1 pm. We have both open zodiacs and a semi-covered whale watching vessel, all equipped with a washroom on board.