Phenomenal viewing on both of our tours ~ Humpback Whales and Orcas!
Today's Sightings: Northern Resident Orcas, Humpback Whales, Dall's Porpoises, Steller Sea Lions hauled out and swimming++, Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros and Cassin's Auklets, Red-Necked Grebes, Red-Necked Phalaropes+, Marbled Murrelets, Bald Eagles, Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, Black Turnstones and Gull species.
It was a gorgeous day to be out on the water viewing Orcas and Humpback Whales! How fabulous was our morning tour with near sightings of four Humpback Whales including Corporal, Freckles and Argonaut. Corporal and Freckles we saw together swimming in unison, Freckles diving just a moment after and behind Corporal. They were so beautiful to watch, along with Dall's Porpoises feeding nearby. There seemed to be more birds in the vicinity today, numerous Cassin's Auklets but also small groups of Common Murres were seen with gulls hovering over bait balls!
Orcas were reported arriving into the east end of the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve and on our arrival we observed them from the Reserve Boundary of 1000 metres, both groups, the A30s and A42s who were at the rubbing beaches and close to the shoreline.
On the afternoon tour we encountered the A30s and A42s near Big Bay on Hanson Island. They were foraging and while we drifted in the current we listened to their beautiful A-Clan vocalizations! What a glorious viewing of them we all enjoyed, it was so amazing, especially when A72 and her calf passed nearby as we drifted! Two Humpback Whales and numerous Steller Sea Lions were also seen on our way home.
The sunlight was so bright and beckoning to all of us this afternoon!
Photo Credits: Muriel Halle and Seasmoke Whale Watching. All photos have been taken with a telephoto lens and have been cropped.