It was an absolutely beautiful day on the water and an early encounter with orcas soon after leaving Alder Bay made for a wonderful beginning to the tour. A small group of orcas were sighted making their way to the west along the Mitchell Bay shoreline on Malcolm Island, they were identified as W3, R13 and her calf R47. W3 is the oldest living Matriarch of all the Northern Resident Orcas at aged 70 years. With her two sons no longer alive, she had been sighted earlier this season further north traveling with R13 and A47. These same three orcas were in Johnstone Strait yesterday where their identity was initially a mystery until updated information was passed on by reseachers about this group of three traveling together. Passengers enjoyed their viewing especially when the orcas turned back briefly to forage and lunge feed as well as to rest. It was a very special viewing as these orcas are so seldom seen in this area. A Gray Whale was also sighted feeding along a shoreline, it is likely the same whale that has been in the area feeding for the past few weeks. Other species also seen: Stellar Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, Dall’s Porpoises, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, Bald Eagles and Belted Kingfishers.