August 15, 2023, 10:30 - The T018s at East Point!
We set off southbound today in search of whales. Our fleet spread out, covering as much ground as possible. All of the whales seen in our area are free of trackers and tags, meaning we never know where they will show up from day to day! We cruised between the gulf islands, scanning the coasts as we went. We stopped briefly to see some harbour seals before continuing our search.
After searching the inner islands, we got word of a potential orca sighting near the southern edge of our range. We went to check the report, and were happy to see two large dorsals (and two little ones!) cutting through the water.
We ID’d today’s orca as the T018s, a pod consisting of 4 members:
T018 Esperanza (~1955)
T019 Nootka (~1965)
T019B Galiano (1995)
T019C Spouter (2001)
You may notice that this pod’s numbering system is incorrect. Normally a matriarch would be assigned a code (T018) and then her descendants would be assigned corresponding codes alphanumerically (consisting of letters and numbers) - for example, if Nootka is Esperanza’s first child, her code would normally be T018A. Sometimes this system becomes messed up if a matriarch ends up being extra sneaky/isn’t seen during the initial sighting encounter which leads to odd numbered pods such as with Nootka, Galiano, and Spouter. Oh well - we love the T018s and all their quirks!
This pod has been very interesting this year. Normally all 4 members are spotted travelling together like they were today. However, this year they have been travelling apart occasionally - T019 Nootka has been sticking with T019B Galiano and T018 Esperanza has been with T019C Spouter. While we are unsure why they have suddenly developed this new behaviour, we are always very excited when we get to see all 4 of them together again.
After departing the T018s we started the adventure back home, cruising between the gulf islands as we traversed back to Nanaimo.
Today’s photos were taken by Marine Naturalists Cheyenne Brewster, Des Poier, and Ella Hillbrecht.
Harbour Seals hauled out on the rocks. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
A little baby harbour seal. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
T019C Spouter, T019 Nootka, and T019B Galiano surfacing in front of Saturna Island. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
T019C Spouter and his grandmother T018 Esperanza. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
T019C Spouter, T019 Nootka, and T018 Esperanza surfacing together. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
A tail up in the air. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
T019B Galiano surfacing with grandmother T018 Esperanza. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
T019C Spouter and T019B going just below the surface. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
T019B Galiano. Look at the curve to his dorsal fin. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
The T018s surfacing together with Mt. Baker in the background. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.
T019C Spouter surfacing showing off the waviness to his dorsal fin. Photo by Ella Hillbrecht.
T019B Galiano Diving under the surface. Photo by Ella Hillbrecht.
T019C Spouter, T019 Nootka, and T019B Galiano surfacing together. Photo by Ella Hillbrecht.
Old lady T018 Esperanza surfacing in front of Pender Island. Photo by Ella Hillbrecht.
Harbour Seals hauled out on the rocks. They sure blend in eh? How many can you count? Photo by Des Poier.
T019C Spouter playing in the kelp. Photo by Des Poier.
T019 Nootka surfacing with her son T019B Galiano. Photo by Des Poier.
T019 Nootka with her two sons, T019B Galiano behind her, and T019C Spouter just breaking the surface in front. Photo by Des Poier.