October 28, 2024 - A T-party in Trincomali Channel, and a Humpback Trio in the Strait
The morning sky was draped in clouds as we set off, but that only added to the anticipation in the air. There’s something about an overcast day on the water that makes wildlife encounters feel even more electric—every ripple and every fin breaking the surface becomes a moment of magic. We headed southward from the harbour, bound for the Gulf Islands in search of the orcas reported earlier that day.
As we made our way across the Salish Sea, the radio crackled with excitement: another boat had spotted the orcas! We adjusted course, picked up speed, and headed towards Trincomali Channel. By the time we arrived, the sea was alive with activity. Three separate orca pods— the T035As, T046s, and the lone male T049A2 Noah—were gathered, socializing and finishing up a recent hunt. It was a breathtaking scene, filled with breaching, tail slaps, and other thrilling surface displays.
T035A Lester ♀ (1998)
T035A1 Opal ♀ (2010)
T035A2 Topaz ♂ (2013)
T035A3 Garnet (2018)
T035A4 ♂ (2022)
T122 Centeki ♀ (~1982)
T046D Strider ♂ (2000)
T046E Thor ♂ (2003)
T046F Loki ♂ (2012)
T049A1 Noah ♂ (2001)
Among these pods, the T046s stood out. This family group has an intriguing story, shaped by the loss of its previous matriarch, T046 Wake, who passed away last year. Wake’s departure left a question mark over the pod’s future dynamics. Would they stay together? Who would step up to lead? It appears that T122, a whale named Centeki, has embraced the role of matriarch, guiding her brothers throughout their range. Observing these whales interacting and displaying their social bonds was a powerful reminder of the deep family connections that anchor orca society.
After some time with these orca, we continued our journey into the Strait of Georgia, where another surprise awaited: a trio of humpback whales! The group included a well-known female, Raptor (BCY0458), her calf born this year, and a mystery companion whose identity remains unsolved for now. They put on a lively show, with Raptor’s calf especially enthusiastic, tossing its tail and splashing at the surface. It’s always fascinating to see young humpbacks testing their strength and showing off their acrobatic abilities, a joyful glimpse of the next generation.
Our final wildlife sightings took us to "Stinky Rock" and Harmac, where we found gatherings of pinnipeds. Steller Sea Lions lounged at Stinky Rock, while a colony of California Sea Lions rested at Harmac. These impressive marine mammals are a delight to observe, and their thunderous barks and unique personalities made for a memorable finale.
After a day filled with unforgettable sightings, we returned to the harbour, grateful for the chance to connect with BC’s incredible wildlife. Please enjoy the photos from the day below, taken by Naturalist Desarae Poier.
T035A Lester surfacing in front of another.
Tail Slap!
T046E Thor surfacing.
Just the tail end of this breach was caught!
T046E Thor surfacing in front of the sandstone Cliffs along Galiano Island.
T035A Lester surfacing with her kids, T035A3 Garnet and T035A1 Opal poking their face out of the water.
Another tail slap.
Look at the water moving from the force of the tail slap!
T035A Lester surfacing during the hunt.
T122 Centeki has a lot of scarring on her saddle patch.
A great look at T122 Centeki.
T046E Thor surfacing and showing off his eye patch.
A big tail flick!
T122 Centeki travelling behind her brother T46E Thor.
T046D Strider is easy to distinguish with his two notches.
Raptor readying for a dive.
Raptors Calf.
Raptors calf swimming on their side.
A little upside-down tail flick from the calf.
Raptor surfacing.
The unknown whale with another surfacing next to them.
Raptors calf surfacing with a backlit blow.
Raptor with her calf in front of her.
The side of Raptor calfs fluke with the unknown whale surfacing behind.
The calf flicking their tail.
The calf tail slapping.
Raptor (left) and her calf (right).
The unknown whale surfacing in front of Vancouver.
The calf swishing their tail.
Steller Sea Lions on stinky rock.
Steller Sea Lions.
Gulls after something in the water at Stinky.
An Itchy Steller Sea Lion.
A California Sea Lion at Harmac.