AUGUST 12
A late posting for yesterday as our internet was down in Alert Bay last evening:
Shortly after leaving the dock this morning a Black Bear was sighted foraging along the beach, it was a great way to start the tour for all on board but especially so for those who had never seen a bear in the wild before. The orcas that we have seen for the past several days were again in Johnstone Strait today. Our first sighting was of the A23’s followed by the A25’s and they were on the Hanson Island side of the Strait further ahead of the A8’s and A30’s who were on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait. We watched as the A23’s and A25’s turned near Turn Point and commenced travelling back to the east; the A30’s and the A8’s also turned forming resting lines. A38 and A39 had been observed foraging ahead of their family (the A30’s) and when the turn was made, A38 was seen to quickly join in the resting line beside his mother A30, while A39 travelled back to the east, he was separate yet parallel to his family and foraging. Resting, foraging, tail and pectoral slapping behaviour was observed. The A24’s again had travelled up to Beaver Cove and were the last ones to turn back to the east. Continuing on with our tour we passed through some scenic waterways that were sparkling with sunlight, 15 + Stellar Sea Lions were sighted swimming and finally a Humpback Whale who was feeding nearby. Other species also seen today were: Dall’s Porpoises, Harbor Seals, Bald Eagles, Rhinoceros Aucklets, Common Murres, Red-necked Phalaropes, Pigeon Guillemots, Belted Kingfishers, Mew, Glaucous-winged, Herring and California Gulls.