These are the types of days that makes our job look easy! An Orca report only 20 mins from dock? Lets go! We quickly suited up and headed North, were we found some very active Orca just off of Piper’s Lagoon. We quickly identified members of two different pods, partying together. Today’s whales include:

T075C Bam Bam (1998)
T075C2 Gavin (2019)
T075C3 (2021)
T075C4 (2023)

T065B Chunk (1993)
T065B1 Birdsall (2011)
T065B2 Nettle (2019)
T065B3 (2023)

Look closely at the years many of these whales were born. We had a lot of youngsters in the group today, including two of last years babies! And boy were these babes bouncing! Guests were treated to all kinds of slapping from the two families; lots of tail slaps, chin slaps, and pec slaps today! We got some good ol’ fashioned spy hops as well, when the whale pops its head up out of the water to get a better look at what’s going on. Check out the great photos below from our naturalists onboard.

This is a critical time in these young calves lives, as they will be actively learning how to hunt from the older members of the pod. Orca calves drink milk from their moms for 1-2 years before they are weaned, so chances are these two little ones are just starting that process! While mother orcas are supplying milk to their calves, they must increase their own food intake by 42% to be able to keep themselves healthy while producing enough milk for the little one. Once baby is weaned, they will actively participate in the hunting process with the rest of the family, and share solid food with the other members of the pod. Hunting tactics may be drawn out longer than what is needed, so the hunting techniques can be taught. We often see very excited babies during this process and after, with young whales celebrating and ‘goofing around’ much like human children too. Maybe today was one big playdate! The younger members of both pods don’t have nicknames yet, only their scientific designation number based off their mother’s. Only 50% of orca calves survive to adulthood, so it usually takes a few years before they are given nicknames. Once they are a few years old, names are voted on in the local whale community, and can then be added to the catalogue. Here’s hoping T075C Bam Bam’s 2021 baby (T075C3) gets a new name soon!

After watching our bumbling baby Orcas for a bit, we headed south out into the Strait to see what else we could find. And we weren’t disappointed! We came across BCX0854 Europa just off of Valdez Island. Europa is well known in our waters, returning year after year from her long journey to her breeding ground in much warmer Hawaiian waters. She was first spotted here in 2005, so at a minimum, this lovely lady is 19 years old! Humpbacks can live Last year, Europa brought a calf back with her, as she has done consistently every other year for the last 8 years! Check her out on Happy Whale to see a full list of her past calves. If she maintains her current track record, perhaps we’ll see another little one from her next year. In the meantime, we’re keeping our eyes peeled for a baby bump!

A double species days is already above and beyond, but the cherry on top is rounding out our tours with a few more stops at our favourite places close to home. A visit to Stinky Rocks is always entertaining, and the Stellar Sea Lions had lots to say! Stinky is prime real estate in the Salish sea, and was packed with Stellar and Californian Sea Lions, as well as some quieter neighbours, the friendly Harbour Seals. We finished the day with a visit to the Gabriola Bluffs, to see alllll the nesting night now. While the Cormarants are hard at work building nests high in the cliffs, a known Bald Eagle Couple protects their nearby nest. The female has been sitting low for a little while now, so here’s hoping chicks are in our near future! Baby season in the Salish Sea is fully underway!

All photos taken by onboard Naturalists Lucy Willis and Hayleigh Hilbert.

May 8, 2024 - A Slap-Happy T-Party and a Visit with Europa!

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