September 9, 2024, 3:30 pm - Two pairs of Humpbacks and a lot of other wildlife!
This afternoon, one of our zodiac-style vessels embarked on an exciting journey, leaving the calm waters of Nanaimo Harbour and heading into the Strait of Georgia in search of the ocean's most majestic creatures—whales! With the Strait being a hotspot of marine activity lately, thanks to its nutrient-rich waters and thriving ecosystem, we were eager to see what wildlife would make an appearance.
When the waters are full of life, the food chain flourishes, from plankton and small fish, all the way up to larger predators like whales. It wasn’t long before we hit the jackpot, spotting not just one, but two pairs of humpback whales.
Our first encounter was with Orion (BCX1251) and Taurus (BCY1080). These two magnificent humpbacks made their way towards our boat, displaying a rare curiosity. They gave us a stunning, up-close view, their massive bodies gliding effortlessly through the water. The gentle giants spent several minutes near us, seemingly as intrigued by us as we were by them. Thanks to the skill of our captain, we knew just what to do, and it was as easy as waiting with our engines shut down until the whales continued on. It didn’t take long for these whales to lose interest in us and continue to playfully interact with each other as they moved away.
As if that wasn’t thrilling enough, we spotted another pair not far off—Split Fluke (BCX1068) and Kappa (BCX1058). Unlike Taurus and Orion, these two whales had their minds set on one thing: feeding. Completely immersed in their hunt for food, they paid little attention to us, surfacing briefly between deep dives as they searched for their next meal. Watching them was a reminder of the powerful drive of nature—survival and sustenance in action.
After spending some quality time with these humpbacks, we made our way towards a local favourite: “Stinky Rock”. The name might not sound appealing, but the wildlife there certainly is! The rocky outcrop was alive with activity, with Harbour Seals basking lazily in the sun and Steller Sea Lions towering above them, occasionally growling out their deep, resonant calls. To add to the scene, a few Harlequin Ducks were perched on the rocks, their colourful plumage a striking contrast against the grey stone.
On our way back, the stunning backdrop of Mount Baker came into view. The mountain’s snow-capped peak was framed beautifully by the soft haze of the afternoon, a picturesque end to an already unforgettable day. After soaking in the final views, we headed back to Nanaimo, our hearts full from the day's encounters with some of the Strait's most incredible wildlife.
Photos from the day were taken by Marine Naturalist Des Poier and can be enjoyed below!
Taurus diving.
Taurus’ fluke.
Orion’s fluke.
Orion diving.
Taurus’ dorsal fin.
Orion diving.
Taurus’ fluke.
Orion’s fluke showing lots of new scarring.
Kappa fluking.
Split Fluke diving.
Harbour Seals on Stinky Rock.
Harlequin Ducks and Harbour Seals sharing the rocks.
Steller Sea Lions watching us float by.
Fighting amongst the sea lions.
This is a large male.
Two sea lions with a gentle interaction.
A gull takes off from the water.
A moon jellyfish floating by.
Mt. Baker in the haze.