March 12, 2024 - Travelling with the T034s, T037, T037Bs, and the T101s!

It was a beautiful sunny day as our Semi-Covered vessel Kula left the dock and started the search for whales. We didn’t have any reports to go off yet, but we decided to search north, as there was reports of a herring run around Hornby and Denman Island. While this doesn’t necessarily mean whales, the fish bring in their predators (mostly seals and sea lions) which are the main source of food for the Biggs or Transient orca. These whales eat exclusively other marine mammals, so the herring run can mean a smorgasbord for them.

Today this idea paid off, as we got a report along the way that there was a pod of orca hunting a sea lion as seen from the Ferry between Denman and Hornby Island. We continued north to see if we would be able to find these whales. After a bit of travel time, we slowed down to a speed that would be easier to spot the whales and sure enough, we saw the big black dorsal fins of the orca accompanied by the spouts from their breathing.

Before long, we were able to ID these whales as the T034s, T037, T037Bs and T101s travelling together. This means the individuals present were:

T034 Grace ♀ (≤ 1969)
T034A Pachamama ♀ (2007)
T034B Sonder (2017)

T037 Rocky III / Pizza Fin ♀ (1979)
T037B Harald ♀ (1998)
T037B1 Lance ♂ (2012)
T037B3 (2022)

T101 Reef ♀ (≤ 1969)
T101A Rush ♂ (1993)
T101B Lagoon ♂ (1997)

These whales were spread out over about a mile while we spent time with them, likely so they could forage for food more efficiently. Usually, they will spread out and if one whale comes across some unsuspecting prey they will start the hunt and call the others over for help and to share the food afterwards. Since we didn’t see any behaviour that seemed like hunting they likely were still full after their sea lion lunch.

After spending our time with these whales it was time to start the journey back towards Nanaimo. It was smooth sailing as we continued along the coast of Vancouver Island until we reached a small group of Islands outside of Nanoose Bay where Steller Sea Lions were lounging on the rocks. These large mammals can be up to 2,800 pounds as fully grown males. And yes, the orca will still sometimes hunt these massive animals, although it usually takes a lot more time and effort than other prey sources like the Harbour Seal.

Soon we found ourselves returning to Nanaimo Harbour. What a great day! All of the photos from the day were taken by the Marine Naturalist onboard, Vanessa Vereschahen.

T101 Reef surfacing with T037 behind her.

T037 Pizza Fin surfaces with T034 Grace behind her.

T101B Lagoon can be IDed by the rake marks on his saddle patch which is useful since both he and his brother don’t have ay notches or nicks out of their dorsal fin.

This uniquely shaped dorsal belongs to T037B1 Lance! He seems like he is in the very early stages of sprouting, which makes sense given he is 12 years old.

The beautiful snowy mountains seen while with the whales.

T037B1 Lance swimming closely with T101B Lagoon. Is he being taught the ropes of being a bull male?

T034 Grace’s dorsal fin with the exhale of one of her kids behind her.

T034B Sonder surfacing in front of T037B3.

T037B Harold surfacing in front of another.

T101B Lagoon and T037B1 Lance. Lance is a 12 year old whale who just began to sprout. One day his dorsal fin will be as tall as Lagoon’s!

Jilann LechnerMarch 12, 2024Whales1 Comment