August 10th 10:30 - Slate and calf out of Porlier Pass

During our morning tour we spotted Slate and calf travelling Northeast in the Strait of Georgia. This pair has been spotted regularly in the last few weeks all along the coastline of our outer Gulf Islands and up and around Entrance Island. Today, these two seemed quite busy feasting away. The pair will only be in our waters for another month and a half or so before they start their long migration. While we do not know which breeding ground Slate goes to, typically our Pacific whales travel to either Hawaii, Mexico, or Central America to breed and give birth. This calf will likely follow Slate down there to learn the best route to the breeding grounds before it will start venturing into the ocean on its own. As our boats were beginning to leave, our covered vessel Kula witnessed the calf approach the boat. When this occurs, we shut off our motors and wait until the whale has decided to move a safe distance away from us. Today it seems like Slate was in a rush because she called the baby back almost immediately!

Slate also was in our area with a calf in 2019. It seems like she is a very successful mother!

Today’s photos were taken by Marine Naturalists Cheyenne Brewster, Rebeka Pirker, and Rebecca Stirling.