April 14, 2025 - T-party with the T019s, T036As, T063 & T065, and T099B
It’s always a great day when you leave the dock with a good idea of where you might be headed! Today was one of those days. We had received reports of orcas near the northern extent of our range—close to Hornby Island—and we were determined to find them.
Our open boat departed with purpose, heading north past the familiar shorelines of Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay, Parksville, and then Qualicum Beach. Eventually, the dramatic, steep coastlines of Hornby and Denman Islands came into view. Although our eyes had been peeled the entire trip, we now shifted into high gear and began scanning the water even more intently.
It paid off. In the distance, we spotted splashing and the unmistakable plume of whale blows—we had found them.
As we approached, we were greeted by the towering fins of multiple orcas. Many of these whales had distinct notches on their dorsal fins, which made identification easier. These markings act like fingerprints, allowing us to recognize individuals and families. Before long, we had confirmed the presence of four different groups: the T019s, T036As, T063 & T065, and T099B. The T019s, T036As, T063 & T065, and T099B! That means the following 12 whales were present:
T019 Nootka ♀ (~1965)
T019B Galiano ♂ (1995)
T019C Spouter ♂ (2001)
T036A Leland ♀ (1990)
T036A1 Tierna ♀ (2005)
T036A1A (2022)
T036A2 Kailas ♀ (2012)
T036A3 Storm/Mike III ♂ (2015)
T036A5 ♂ (2021)
T065 Whidbey II ♀ (~1971)
T063 Chainsaw ♂ (~1978)
T099B Holly ♀ (2007)
The scene was alive with activity. We witnessed a ton of social behaviour—tail slapping, spyhopping, and lots of touching. Touch is incredibly important for orcas, as they’re highly tactile animals. Social groups are often seen rubbing against each other in a show of bonding and connection.
It’s not just other orcas they interact with, either. Around the world, orcas have been seen playing with jellyfish, draping kelp over their backs (a behaviour known as kelping), and some even rub themselves on pebble beaches—likely enjoying the massage-like sensation across their skin.
That said, not all physical contact between orcas is friendly. Sometimes, touch can be a form of discipline or assertion. Scars on orcas often result from others dragging their teeth across a companion’s skin. Whether it’s a show of dominance, irritation, or simply rough play, these marks are an important part of how we identify individuals, especially when added to our catalogues.
Some of those scars come from prey, too—especially Steller Sea Lions. Stellers are among the most formidable prey the orcas hunt regularly. Weighing in at up to 2,800 pounds, these sea lions fight back with huge teeth and sharp claws. But to an orca, which can weigh up to 16,000 pounds, it’s still a fair fight.
After spending quality time with the whales, we made our way to a nearby haul-out site and paid a visit to some of those powerful pinnipeds. The rock was bustling with wildlife—Harbour Seals, Steller Sea Lions, California Sea Lions, and even Bald Eagles perched along the shoreline, adding to the stunning scenery.
Eventually, it was time to begin the long trek home. It had been a full day, but with so much wildlife and incredible interactions, the journey was more than worth it.
Scroll down to enjoy all the stunning photos captured by our onboard Marine Naturalist, Val Watson!
T063 Chainsaw with his very distinct dorsal fin.
T036A1 Tierna showing off the scarring on her saddle patch.
T036A1A doing a big surface in the waves.
All the beat up fins of T036A2Kailas, T099B Holly and T036A1 Tierna, from front to back.
T063 Chainsaw going for a dive.
This photo shows the wave that T019C Spouter’s dorsal fin has.
A great look at T063 Chainsaw.
T036A2 Kailas, T065 Whidbey II, and T036A Leland surfacing together.
T036A3 Storm surfacing in front of T036A5.
T036A2 Kailas surfacing in front of T065 Whidbey.
A whole lot of whales! From left to right: T063 Chainsaw, T036A5, T036A Leland, T036A2 Kailas, T036A1 Tierna, and T065 Whidbey.
T036A2 Kailas and T099B Holly surfacing together.
How many bald eagles can you spot on the rocks in this photo?
We counted 14!
T019C Spouter surfacing in the sun.
T019 Nootka surfacing with her son, T019B Galiano.
A great look at the scarring on T019B Galiano’s saddle patch.
The tip of T036A1A’s rostrum, T036A2 Kailas, and T099B Holly, with T036A Leland spy hopping with T036A3 Storm rubbing against her.
A closer look at T036A Leland and T036A3 Storm.
T036A1A surfacing beside T036A5 and some unknown tail.
T099B Holly surfacing in the lead of T036A2 Kailas and T036A3 Storm.
T036A3 Storm showing off his eye patch.
Another look at T036A3 Storm as he peeks out of the water.
All the T019s: T019B Galiano, T019 Nootka, and T019C Spouter together.
T036A3 Storm, the tip of T036A1 Tierna’s dorsal fin, and T036A1A with their face out of the water.
T063 Chainsaw with his eye patch peeking over the waves.
A cute bunch of Harbour Seals.
A Bald Eagle hanging out on the shoreline.
A beautiful look at the Bald Eagle.
Fighting among the Steller Sea Lions.
A pair of California Sea Lions napping away from the rest of the group.