June 27th 10:30 AM - T002C's and Neowise
It was great weather as our two vessels left the harbour on the morning of June 27th. Previous reports of orca near northern Gabriola Island led us towards Entrance Island, where we viewed the Stellar sea lions nearly ready to make their trip north to Alaska for breeding. Heading south down the Strait of Georgia, we discovered the T002Cs and watched them travelling before heading back north towards Entrance Island.
Neowise, a very active humpback, was discovered off the coast of North Nanaimo. He performed on his back, slapping the water with his tail and pectoral fins and even got close enough to get passengers wet! While performing at the surface, Neowise trumpeted once, a noise that humpbacks can make when excited. Neowise made his debut in the Salish sea in 2020 as a calf to Heather. Neowise has been identified as having significant changes to his fluke over his three seasons in the Salish sea, making it a very fascinating and challenging ID for our Naturalists.
Our day ended with travelling back to Gabriola Island along the bluffs to view cormorants and their nesting habits. A peregrine falcon, which has been previously spotted nesting along the bluffs was seen.
Photos are taken by Marine Naturalists Vanessa and Rebecca.
Steller sea lions hauled out on Entrance Island. Photo by Rebecca Stirling
A goofy look from one of the male sea lions. Photo by Rebecca Stirling
The T002Cs surfacing together. Photo by Rebecca Stirling
Rocky surfacing. Photo by Rebecca Stirling
From left to right: Rocky, Lucy, and T002C5 surfacing together. Photo by Rebecca Stirling
Photo by Rebecca Stirling
Photo by Rebecca Stirling
Rocky and Tasu travelling close together. Photo by Rebecca Stirling
A juvenile bald eagle alongside an adult. Did you know they don’t develop the white head and tail until they are about 5 years old! Photo by Rebecca Stirling.
Photo by Rebecca Stirling
Photo by Rebecca Stirling
Harbour Seals checking us out while we are watching them! Photo by Rebecca Stirling
You can see the huge difference in the colour of the local harbour seals. Photo by Rebecca Stirling
Neowise’s dorsal. Photo by Rebecca Stirling
What a great look at the bottom side of Neowise’s tail fluke as he shows it off with a tail slap. Photo by Rebecca Stirling
Cormorants on their nests on Gabriola Island. Photo by Rebecca Stirling
Photo by Rebecca Stirling
Coming in for a landing! Photo by Rebecca Stirling
Here is a Pigeon Guillemot hanging out of the cliffside. Photo by Rebecca Stirling.
Gull checking out the bottom of the cliffs. Photo by Rebecca Stirling.
Tasu and Rocky swimming together. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
Peaking above the waters surface with mom not far behind. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
Look at the size difference between these two! Its T002C5 and older brother rocky. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
A nice look at rocky with his eye patch peaking above the waves. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
T002C2 Lucy surfacing. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Steller Sea Lion in the water looking at the boat. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
A family photo of the T002Cs. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
Neowise’s pectoral fin. They are 1/3 of the total body size of the humpback, so about 5m in length! Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
Neowise doing the backstroke. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
Tails in the air! Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
A reverse whale tail waterfall! From swimming on his back going into a tail lob. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
The back side of Neowise’s tail flukes. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
In this photo, you can see the side of Neowise’s tail fluke while his pectoral fin towers out of the water. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen
Cormorants on the bluffs. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen