Today was an absolutely fabulous day with a surprise humpback whale encounter. We headed out this morning as the weather cleared turning the sky to clear with the sunshine bright and warm upon our backs while in the distance the large blow of a humpback whale was sighted in the Queen Charlotte Strait. A cruise ship was also traveling in the Strait and by comparison to the whale it was moving very fast to the west and parallel to the whale who dove as it was being overtaken by the cruise ship. We waited some several minutes, the boat sitting idle and drifting when suddenly the humpback whale surfaced near the bow of the boat taking everyone by surprise. It was unbelievable and exciting for all who watched spellbound as it dove again leaving behind its huge ‘footprint’ on the water surface beside the boat. We sat idling in the current and observed as the whale, identified as ‘Stripe’, continued to feed. There were Bald Eagles++ fishing for herring who had gathered in a ball on the surface of the water trying to escape the numerous Rhinoceros Auklets who had helped drive them to the surface as they fed. We cruised through several tranquil island waterways viewing the scenic beauty when suddenly 6-8 Dall’s Porpoises joined us riding at our bow. It was exciting for all to watch as they darted and dived just below the water at the bow, splashing as they went. Other species also seen today: Harbour Seals, Pigeon Guillemots, White-winged Scoters, Belted Kingfishers, a Great Blue Heron, Harlequin Ducks and Black Oyster Catchers.