Winds were blowing today so we tucked into the shelter of the Southern Gulf Islands and sent our three vessels in separate directions to maximize our search area. With no luck on the inside and the Strait calming down we decided to peak out and test the waters, with Keta taking Active Pass and Kula and Cascadia going through Polier Pass, we were excited to see who we could spot. Within a few minutes of travel, the big bushy blows of our Humpbacks appeared!

The first pair we spotted were Professor X (BCX1965) and Notcho (BCX1700), these two seemed a little rambunctious today treating us to some tail slapping, tail lobbing, cartwheeling and even some trumpeting was heard. We believe one of the reasons our whales display these behaviours is communication, and today there were many others within earshot of these two! As we were watching these whales we could see blows in the distance, it’s a great problem to have when you’re not sure where to look! Keta was with another pair of Humpbacks, these two were Split Fluke (BCX1068) and Kappa (BCX1058), they seemed to be in travel mode, but these two were also a little peppy they were flicking tails and even breached! Those big robust bodies make a very audible smack on the surface of the water, perhaps they were responding to the other very active pair?

We also saw some defecation while watching the whales! It’s strange we get so excited to see poo, but it is so important to our nutrient cycle. It also indicates our whales are finding food! This defecating is most likely why this area of the Strait is so soupy with Humpbacks, that’s right, this poop feeds the organisms that the Humpbacks food prey on, increasing the food for the Humpbacks! It’s a perfect nutrient pump as the whales feed in the deep waters, then return to the surface to release their bowels, bringing all that nitrogen and phosphates back to the surface.

We didn’t have to search long before spotting a few more blows, this time it was three. We had Orion (BCX1251), Neowise (BCY0160 calf 2020) and Honu (BCX1856). Orion and Neowise were up to all kinds of activity as well, we saw cartwheeling, these two even got a little curious about our boats and gave us a few close passes. Honu on the other hand seemed to be doing their own thing, still remaining close to these two, just not involved in their antics! After floating around amongst many giants it was time to get back into travel mode and see if we could spot anymore wildlife.

We made a stop at “Stinky Rocks” where our Harbour Seals and Steller Sea Lions like to haul out and sun themselves after fishing in the chilly water! One of our vessels spotted some California Sea Lions on the Harmac log booms, nice to see them starting to return!

Enjoy the photos below taken by Marine Naturalists Cheyenne Brewster, Desarae Poier and Vanessa Vereschahen.