The morning trip today had our crews venturing across the Strait of Georgia in pursuit of reports of Transient Orcas travelling the waters of Howe Sound and Horseshoe Bay near the mainland. We found three groups travelling together, the T37’s, T36’s, and T65A’s for a total of around 10 individuals. It was a great experience seeing these three matrilines travelling as a pod, which is not an everyday occurrence for transient orcas.

After escorting the beautiful black and whites, our boats ventured back into the strait in search of Humpback - they were not disappointed! Five total were happened upon before the morning excursions had to return to port. We found Zigzag and Europa, each with calf in tow, travelling together. While humpback whales will often travel alone, they do seemingly have “friends” they will on occasion travel and feed with. It is fun to think that these two seasoned mothers were potentially swapping stories and tactics for wrangling their over one ton calves.
The fifth humpback found in the morning was Scorch. Ambling alone in the strait, Scorch completed some deep dives in search of krill and small bait fish.

The afternoon trips were again double species trips! Often we will have days where our naturalists get to spend time with both humpbacks and the transient orcas, however it is less common to find both species on every trip. Today had two trips where all boats on the water got to experience both types of whales found in our waters.

Starting off, our boats again encountered the same orca pod from the morning near Anvil Island. The afternoon found the transients with a little more pep in their step, as it were (more purpose in their porpoise?), porpoising, travelling faster, and even signs of hunting behaviour being demonstrated.

Back into the strait, mothers Zigzag and Europa were found again, each with their calf by their sides. Farther apart than they once were, it is possible the ladies were still travelling together. However, Europa and her calf were being escorted by a new humpback - Snoopy. Snoopy is one of our confirmed male humpbacks. Male humpbacks will often swim along with a mother and calf to assess if she will be ready for breeding in the upcoming season.

Zigzag! Photo by Rebecca Stirling, 3:30PM.

Mom and babe. Photo by Rebecca Stirling, 3:30PM.

Zigzag (left) and her newest calf. Photo by Rebecca Stirling, 3:30PM.

I got something between my teeth! Can you get it out for me?! Photo by Rebecca Stirling, 3:30PM.

Almost there… Photo by Rebecca Stirling, 3:30PM.

Sashimi for two! Photo by Rebecca Stirling, 3:30PM.

August 24th - Double Species Days are the Best Days!

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