Another wavy day here in the Salish Sea! Two boats set off this afternoon, ready to explore the biodiverse waters of the Georgia Strait and see what marine wildlife we could find. Our first exciting encounter was a pair of Humpbacks: Octo (BCX1920) and Neptune (BCY1021). These two are regulars in the region, and interestingly, they spend their winter months in different locations. Octo migrates down to the warm waters of Mexico, while Neptune heads to Hawaii—a testament to the wide-ranging migratory patterns of Humpbacks. We were fortunate to capture some fantastic fluke shots from both, which made them easy to identify thanks to their unique tail patterns. Their contrasting journeys highlight the diversity within Humpback migration.

One of the most common methods to identify humpback whales is by their flukes, or tail fins. Each humpback has a unique pattern of pigmentation and scarring on the underside of its fluke, much like a human fingerprint. These markings can range from nearly all white to all black, with varying degrees of mottling in between. Scarring, often caused by entanglements, predator encounters, or barnacles, further distinguishes each individual whale. When a humpback dives, it often lifts its fluke out of the water, giving our naturalists a perfect opportunity to photograph the pattern. Catalogues of these fluke photos are maintained globally, allowing us to track individual whales over time, understand their migratory routes, and even discover connections between feeding and breeding grounds. Today’s close encounters gave us a chance to capture clear images of the whales' flukes, helping us quickly confirm their identities.

After enjoying some time observing Octo and Neptune as they gracefully surfaced and fluked in the waves, we continued southward, eager to discover more marine life. Soon enough, we spotted two more blows just east of Galiano Island. This time it was Mathematician (BCY0785) and Stripe (BCZ0004), another well-known pair in the Salish Sea. Both are recognized by the distinct markings on their tails, with Mathematician’s tail featuring a unique geometric pattern, and Stripe known for the bold stripe along his fluke. These two have been frequently sighted in the area, and their synchronized dives were a mesmerizing sight against the backdrop of the rolling seas.

Meanwhile, the open boat had luck of its own, spotting another pair of Humpbacks nearby. This duo was Frankenstein (BCX1358) and Geometry, hanging out closely together. Frankenstein is easily identified by the patchwork scarring on their fluke, which is how he got the name Frankenstein! Geometry’s name derives from the distinct patterns on their tail fluke. The interactions between these pairs provided a rare chance to observe the social behaviour of these massive marine mammals as they navigate the productive feeding grounds of the Salish Sea.

Interestingly, both Frankenstein (BCX1358) and Stripe (BCZ0004) are unique in that they’ve been recorded visiting both the Mexican and Hawaiian breeding grounds, something not commonly observed among humpback whales. Most humpbacks have distinct migratory patterns, with individuals typically loyal to a single breeding area. However, these two whales have shown greater flexibility in their migrations, making stops at both locations over the years. The ability to travel between these two distant breeding grounds, which are over 4,000 kilometers apart, highlights the remarkable endurance and adaptability of humpbacks like these two! Their dual migratory paths also provide researchers with valuable insights into the complex movement patterns of these majestic creatures. It just goes to show how much there is to learn about these gentle giants!

We finished off the day checking out various pinnipeds, with the Steller Sea Lions and Harbour Seals hanging out on Stinky Rocks, and the Californian Sea lions popping up closer to home at Harmac. Another great tour!

Photos below by Marine Naturalists Vanessa Vereschahen and Aly Kohlman.

September 29, 2024 - Humpback Pairs Times Three!

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