July 27th

This morning was cool and crisp as we headed out in search of whales. We had not gone far when we spotted a group of Steller sea lions foraging in the kelp, and were completely taken by surprise when a loud blow indicated the presence of a young humpback as it swam out from behind the island through the mist towards us! The highlight of the day was seeing the A24's, a small family group of resident orcas, in the middle of Queen Charlotte Strait. Other wildlife sighted throughout the day included a Leach's Storm-Petrel, harbour seals, Dall's porpoises, bald eagles, red-necked Phalaropes, rhinoceros auklets and common murres. We have also been seeing the odd Cassin's auklet, Pigeon Guillemots and very small Glaucous-winged Gull chicks standing on the rocks just outside their nests.