May 15, 2024, Sunset Tour - T090s, T087, T086A3s, and T071Bs in Howe Sound, and a Gray Whale Close to Home

Some days are just so nice, you have to do them twice, even before doubles officially start. This was our first sunset tour of the season! We decided that we would try our luck in Howe Sound again, to see if any of the whales from the earlier T-party breakup were still around.

Turns out that they were! We were lucky enough to find the T090s, T071B1, T071B2, and T086A3s travelling together. We even had T087 show up partway through!

T071B1 Zengo (2013)
T071B2 Tasli/Nemo (2018)

T086A3 Tyndall ♀ (2011)
T086A3A (2024)

T090 Eagle ♀ (1980)
T090B Piglet ♂ (2006)
T090C Tigger ♀ (2010)
T090D Kanga (2017)

T087 Harbeson ♂ (~1962)

These orca were cruising the shoreline of Gibson’s when we saw them, weaving in and out of the sailboats that were enjoying the breeze nearby. They seemed to be having fun with it, with lots of onlooking people watching from the shore as well. While watching the main group, Harbeson showed up as well, doing a couple of passes of the boat before continuing to follow his sister, Eagle.

The backlit blows of the orca were beautiful to watch during our time with them, but soon our hour was up and we left them, continuing back toward Nanaimo. Along the way, we got word that there was a baleen whale close to home, so we decided to see if we could find it. Drinking in the sunset views we searched, seeing the Sea Lions and ships in the orange-tinged light. Just as we were giving up on the whale and thinking it was time to return to the Harbour, we spotted it; A blow! The heart shape it indicated that it was a gray whale, and soon its body came out of the water enough for us to confirm it. As the sun sank below the mountains we got a good look at this gray and then returned to Harbour.

The photos from the tour taken by Marine Naturalists Lucy Willis, Val Watson, and Aly Kohlman are all below for you to view.

T090B Piglet and T090D Kanga. Photo by Lucy Willis.

T071B1 Zengo and T124A1 Bonapartes. Photo by Lucy Willis.

T090 Eagle and T090B Piglet. Photo by Lucy Willis.

Left to right: T090 Eagle, T071B1 Zengo, T071B2 Tasli/Nemo (tip), and T090B Piglet. Photo by Lucy Willis.

T124A1 Bonapartes, T090 Eagle, and T090B Piglet. Photo by Lucy Willis.

T090B Piglet and T071B2 Tasli/Nemo. Photo by Lucy Willis.

T086A3 Tyndall and T086A3A. Photo by Lucy Willis.

T090B Piglet behind T0990 Eagle and T090D Kanga. Photo by Val Watson.

The whole gang! From front to back, T090D Kanga, T071B1 Zengo, T090C Tigger, T090 Eagle, and T090B Piglet. Photo by Val Watson

T071B1 Zengo, T090D Kanga, T090C Tigger, and T090B Piglet. Photo by Val Watson

Some Surf Scoters sending time near the whales. Photo by Val Watson

Entrance Island in the sunset. Photo by Lucy Willis.

A Bald Eagle close to Harmac Pulp Mill. Photo by Val Watson

California Sea Lions on the log booms near Harmac Pulp Mill. Photo by Lucy Willis.

Calfornia Sea Lions in the water at Harmac. Photo by Val Watson

This boat will take BC logs all over the world! Photo by Val Watson

Sunset vibes alongside Gabriola Island. Photo by Lucy Willis.

Nanaimo in the Sunset. Photo by Val Watson

The gray whale at the end of the trip. Photo by Val Watson

Jilann LechnerMay 15, 2024WhalesComment