August 16th

An early morning thunderstorm passing Alert Bay provided an element of freshness to the outward journey! As the SV Tuan made its way into Blackfish Sound we encountered a large group of resident orcas (consisting of the family groups the I15's, A24's and A12's) traveling in our direction as they foraged, rested and socialized their way towards Johnstone Strait. We traveled with them, listening to their unique calls and vocalizations via the hydrophone, watching various members of the group spy-hoping, tail-slapping and generally rolling around waving pectoral fins in the air for all to see - it was a fabulous sight! Other highlights of the tour included watching humpback whales foraging and the rare sighting of a peregrine falcon hunting red-necked phalaropes.