Greetings whale enthusiasts! Today, we have some exciting news to share with you about two of our beloved orcas - T049A2 Jude and T049C Nielson. These two magnificent creatures were recently spotted travelling north in Stuart Channel, and we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them during one of our whale-watching tours.

For those of you who may not be familiar with these orcas, T049A2 Jude and T049C Nielson are part of a family of whales known as the T049s. T049 was a female named Charlotte (now deceased) who had 3 recorded offspring: T049A Nan (Jude’s Mom), T049B Van, and T049C Neilson.

On this particular day, our guests were treated to a truly spectacular sight as T049A2 Jude and his uncle T049C Nielson made their way north through Stuart Channel. The water was calm and clear, and the sun was shining brightly overhead - the perfect conditions for a whale-watching excursion.

As we approached the area where the orcas had been sighted, we could see the distinctive black and white markings of T049A2 Jude and T049C Nielson breaking the surface of the water ahead of us. They were travelling side by side, their powerful tails propelling them easily through the water.

Our captain expertly maneuvered our boat into position, giving our guests a great view of these magnificent creatures. We watched in awe as they swam alongside us at a safe distance, their sleek bodies gliding effortlessly through the water.

As we spent time with the orcas, we could see that they were in no hurry to reach their destination. They took their time, occasionally diving down into the depths of the ocean before resurfacing again a few moments later. It was as if they were enjoying the journey just as much as we were.

As we continued to follow T049A2 Jude and T049C Nielson, we couldn't help but marvel at their sheer size and power. These incredible creatures are truly a sight to behold, and we feel so fortunate to be able to share their world with our guests.

As the orcas gradually made their way out of sight, we couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and gratitude for the incredible experience we had just had. Seeing T049A2 Jude and T049C Nielson in their natural habitat is truly a humbling and unforgettable experience, and we feel honoured to be able to share it with all of you.

We hope you've enjoyed reading about our encounter with T049A2 Jude and T049C Nielson as they travelled north in Stuart Channel. If you're interested in seeing these magnificent creatures for yourself, be sure to book a whale-watching tour with Vancouver Island Whale Watch. Who knows - you may just have your own unforgettable encounter with these orcas!

All the photos from the tour are taken by onboard Marine Naturalist Vanessa Vereschahen.