After leaving the Nanaimo Harbour on the 9th our vessel, Cascadia, headed south through the Gulf Islands on a tip that orcas were heading north through the Pender Islands. We arrived outside Active pass just in time to find the T18’s and the T65B’s traveling up the channel.

The Orcas were split into 3 groups when we arrived. The whales looked like they were parting ways, but eventually joined up again into 2 groups. Matriarch Esperanza (T18) was leading her grandson Spouter (T19B) and T65B1, Birdsall, as they zigzagged back and forth, while T19A Galiano and his mom Nootka (T19) were traveling with 65B Chunk and her 2019 calf, 65B2. The two families were traveling and hunting together, mingling happily in the beautiful sunny weather.

Seeing orcas traveling like this is a reminder that our Transients don’t have a territory they guard from other orcas, but rather treat others like close friends and family. They are happy to travel with other pods and socialize at any opportunity.

Orcas have a very similar life span and cycle to humans. Females carry their offspring for 18 months before giving birth to a single calf every 3-5 years on average. These babies rely on mom for her milk for up to a year before they switch to solid foods like Seals and Sea lions. Male orcas can live into their 50’s or 60’s while females are much longer lived, often living to be 80+ years old! Female orcas also go through menopause in their late 40’s.

Esperanza was born sometime around 1955, making her 65 years old! Nootka is only a bit younger, being about 55 years old. Both these girls are done having calves, and will probably spend the rest of their lives with Galiano and Spouter in tow. We don’t know the exact age for either whale, as they were mature when they were first seen, so these are best guesses at age. It’s very possible that Nootka and Esperanza had other calves, as Galiano was born when Nootka was 30. Typically orcas begin having calves when they are 12-18 years old. We can only speculate that Galiano and Spouter have aunts and sisters swimming around somewhere.

Chunk’s pod is much younger, as Chunk was born in 1993, making her only 27 years old. She had her son Birdsall when she was 18, in 2011 and her second born just last year. Chunk still has another 15-20 years to have calves before she goes through menopause, and Birdsall will likely stay by her side for the rest of her life. Male orcas rarely separate from their mom permanently, but rather make trips to hang out with other pods from time to time, eventually returning to moms side.

These 2 pods have been traveling together frequently this summer, whether it’s just because they like each others company, or are distant relatives we will likely never know. It’s always exciting catching a brief glimpse into the lives of these beautiful animals.

Check out the awesome photos taken from our marine naturalist Rebeka Pirker and our guest Lynda Stevens during the tour below.