The sheer wonder and joy at seeing orcas and so much more!
Today's Sightings: Resident Orcas, Humpback Whales, Dall's Porpoises, Steller Sea lions, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles, Rhinoceros and Cassin's Auklets.
Our tour began this morning with fog that quickly cleared, meanwhile our senses were enlivened by amazing oceanic smells and sounds in our surroundings. We were able to watch small fish feed on krill with Steller Sea Lions swimming nearby, a Humpback Whale feeding and a small group of Pacific White-sided Dolphins. The orcas had travelled to the eastern boundary of the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve and we observed the C10's, A42s and A24s. The C10s were foraging near the boundary and we were enthralled listening to their beautiful A-Clan vocalizations!
Our afternoon tour was a beautiful one, made especially so when we observed the A42s resting quietly near Izumi Rock in Johnstone Strait. To see a family of orcas grouped together in a resting line, synchronized with their diving and surfacing sequence is an incredibly beautiful sight to behold! We also encountered two Humpback Whales travelling across Johnstone Strait. The sea was flat and calm and the sun was shining!
Our evening tour was one of exquisite beauty. We encountered the A42s early in our tour and as they foraged nearby we listened to their wonderful A-Clan calls. We observed five Humpback Whales and the viewing of them was brilliant. It was surreal to drift with our engines off and quietly enjoy all of the beauty in our surroundings. The sound of Harbour Seals swimming in amongst kelp forests, and birds on small islands settling for the evening in quiet waterways was superb as was the brilliance of the setting sun that we enjoyed viewing all the way home!
All photo's have been taken with a telephoto lens and cropped. Sunset Photo credit: Andrew Jennings and other photo's : Muriel Halle.