July 29th

As the SV Tuan and the MV Cetacea headed out into the Blackfish Sound and Johnstone Strait we could see the distant dorsal fins of a group of resident orcas. As we approached they continued to forage, diving and surfacing at intervals alongside the boat. We dropped the hydrophone into the water and listened to the eerie vocalization as they called to each other, punctuated by the occasional breach from a frisky juvenile. The SV Tuan also encountered a young humpback rolling and diving amongst the bull kelp, surfacing with strands criss-crossed over its back before submersing itself again amongst the seaweed. We also enjoyed the company of a group of Dall's porpoises bow-riding in our wake during the homeward journey. Other wildlife sighted throughout the day included harbour seals, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, fluffy Glaucous-winged gull chicks, black oyster catchers, harlequin ducks, rhinoceros auklets and common murres.