September 15th - Neowise & Quest by Thrasher Rock
Today our boats spread out in search of whales - our Zodiac headed north along Nanaimo’s coastline and our Semi-Covered vessel travelled south inside the Southern Gulf islands. Our Zodiac got a taste of the West Coast life as they got a small September shower during their travels.
After adventuring for a little while, we got word of 2 humpbacks spotted near Thrasher Rock - a concrete marker erected to help keep ships off the Gabriola Reefs.
After arriving on scene we were quickly able to confirm Neowise (BCY0160’s 2020 calf) as one of the 2 whales present. He was fluking very high and slowly, leading to a couple perfect ID photo opportunities.
Neowise’s friend, however, was not being as cooperative. This individual was arching its back (something that usually happens just before they dive down) but refused to fluke (bring its tail up in the air). It was being very tail shy during our entire time with the duo, forcing us to try and ID it solely from its dorsal. Thankfully, one of our Nautralists was able to get a half fluke from the mysterious friend near the end of the encounter. After getting this half fluke photo, we were able to ID our lovely second whale as Quest (BCZ0502). Quest is not a common humpback for our area. They are usually seen further south near Victoria, in the waters by Seattle and Olympia.
Neowise’s fluke is absolutely stunning and unique - he has a variety of white scratches and circles on either side and has quickly become a fan-favourite on our trips because he is so easy to see with the naked eye!
The duo was busy circling and feeding when we first approached. Shortly after their behaviors began to change. They began surfacing more regularly, and their travel pattern became erratic. Suddenly, they began approaching our vessels. We shut our engines off in compliance with regulations and waited to see where they would surface next.
Neowise seems to have picked up the mugging-bug from Nike - another humpback who was seen with Neowise a few days before. You can read about that encounter in this blog. Naturalist Cheyenne got a surprise ‘shower’ from the blows of the humpbacks as they approached her vessel. Neowise seemed to be teaching Quest everything he learned from Nike. The pair gave our boats a very quick inspection before moving on to continue with their day.
Photos by Marine Naturalists Cheyenne Brewster and Vanessa Vereschahen.
Left to right: Quest (BCZ0502) and Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf). Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Left to right: Quest (BCZ0502) and Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf). Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Front to back: Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf) and Quest (BCZ0502). Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Left to right: Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf) and Quest (BCZ0502). Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Quest (BCZ0502). Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf). Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Quest (BCZ0502). Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf). Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf). Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf). Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf). Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf). Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf). Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Neowise (BCY0160's 2020 calf). Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
Peregrine Falcon at “Stinky Rocks”. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Peregrine Falcon at “Stinky Rocks”. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.