January 22nd - T18s hunting outside Nanaimo!
Leaving the dock on the morning of the 22nd we headed out towards the Sunshine Coast, hoping to find some whales along the way. Once we had made the journey we got news that there was whales right outside the Nanaimo Harbour! This just goes to show you that you never know where the whales will pop-up for the day. After making our way back to where we started we saw the large black dorsal fins of a pod of Orca! As we got closer we could tell that this was the T018s. The T18s are easy to identify, largely due to T019B Galiano. He is a 27 year old male who had a very wide dorsal fin which also has a major lean to the left. When you see that fin on the water it’s easy to tell who you are looking at! We usually assume once you know one member present the rest of the pod will also be there but it’s always good to double check, just incase. After looking at the other dorsals it was clear: all the members of the T018s were here. The matriarch of the group T018 Esperanza has two notches on her dorsal fin which make her stand out from her daughter, T019 Nootka. The last member of the group is T019C Spouter!
When we found the pod they were just finishing up hunting and the gulls were coming in to clean up the last remains of the meal. Once they got moving again we watched as they travelled through Dodd Narrows and continued south in the southern gulf islands. These amazing animals can travel up to 100 miles per day so it’s always great to cross paths with them. After leaving the T018s behind we headed back to Harmac, close to where we saw them hunting. Once we got there it seemed as though the pinnipeds present were scared! One little harbour seal had taken shelter on the log booms, something we don’t often see with the sea lions so close. Although not common, the sea lions can hurt the seals when they share the same area. Better to risk it with the sea lions than with a pod of orca though! The sea lions were also not as rowdy as usual and only had a couple fights break out while we were watching them.
It was a great trip getting to see the T018s and all the other marine life for the day, and with the sun shining we headed back into the harbour. Our naturalist Rebecca Stirling got some amazing photos from the day which you can see below and they will be uploaded to our print shop as well! Enjoy!
T019B Galiano travelling in northumberland channel.
T019C Spouter!
Spouter also travelling through northumberland channel.
Can you tell how many whales are here? Theres 3; Galiano in the front, Nootka in the middle, and Spouter in the back.
Spouter again! You can see a dent in his dorsal with this lighting!
Nootka with her sons again.
All four members of the pod surfacing together! from left to right its Spouter, Esperanza, Nootka, and Galiano.
Soaring Bald Eagle.
Spouter heading into Dodd Narrows.
Check out the lean to Galiano’s fin!
Spouters blow outlined in the sunshine!
Spouter and his grandmother, Esperanza!
Spreading out across the channel to forage as they head south through the gulf islands.
Bye Spouter!
You can see why sometimes sea lions can be mistaken for Orca when they’re doing this!
California sea lion fight!
Little harbour seal taking shelter on the log booms.
So cute!
The amazing bluffs of Gabriola Island!
More California Sea Lions fighting!
Cormorant resting on one of the many log debris on the water.