September 19th

Today was a glorious fall day out on the water. On the morning tour two humpback whales were sighted, they were taking long dives, feeding in large circles. Making our way into Weynton Passage we encountered a 100+ Pacific White-sided Dolphins, they were traveling very quickly to the west but as they neared Stubbs Island they slowed down and began milling about and feeding. It was exciting watching them, many were leaping clear of the water. Some of them headed in our direction and rode along at the bow of the boat briefly, much to the astonishment and joy those on board. Numerous Stellar Sea Lions were observed hauled out, some of them were seen to have been branded with their numbers/letters correlating to those having been released in Alaska, California and Seattle. On the afternoon tour, with children and parents onboard, they too were keen to see the Dolphins and so it was! The dolphins were still close to where we had left them earlier, they headed back into Johnstone Strait, heading east from where they had come from this morning. It was wonderful and a dream come true for the children to see Dolphins alive and free in the wild. Several dolphins rode at the bow as we traveled along, adding to the excitement. Heading home via Blackfish Sound, two Humpback Whales were sighted along with numerous hauled out Stellar Sea Lions and Harbour Seals. Others sightings today: 100's of Common Murres, Rhinoceros Auklets++, Pacific Loons, Pelagic Cormorants, Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, 2 red-necked Grebes, and a Peregrine Falcon.