Thursday, August 20th, 2009
Today was a most beautiful calm day in the Queen Charlotte Strait where we spent most of our day viewing Humpback Whales and a large Minke Whale. We began our tour in the morning exploring the scenic beauty and sea life of the Stephenson Islands and then headed into Blackfish Sound, it was at this time that the first Humpback Whale was sighted near Bold Head. As we drew closer the Humpback Whale was identified as Slash (named so for obvious injuries that have left their markings of three slashes on the left side of its body, it also has no dorsal fin due to the injury). While watching this Humpback Whale another was sighted as well as a large Minke Whale, followed by a third Humpback Whale as we were leaving the area. Viewing herring balls up-close as the gulls and Rhinoceros Auklets were feeding was fascinating, especially so when a Humpback Whale suddenly appeared feeding as well. Later on in the tour a smaller fourth Humpback Whale was sighted in Weynton Passage along with 20++ Stellar Sea Lions. Other species also seen today were: Dall’s Porpoises, hauled out Harbour Seals++, Bald Eagles, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, Belted Kingfishers, Stellar Sea Lions, Black Turnstones, Mew, Glaucous-winged, Herring and California Gulls.