A marvellous mix ~ whales, dolphins, porpoises, bear, deer and so much more!
August 27th
Our sightings: Orca's (A30's, I15's, I31's), Humpback whales, a Minke whale, Black bears, Pacific White-sided dolphins, Dall's porpoises, Stellar sea lions, Harbour seals, Black-tailed deer, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Gull species and Belted Kingfishers.
Tears of joy and appreciation were shed today as our guests soaked up every morsel of the wonder this area had to offer. Not only were the Orcas displaying the most profound and tranquil behaviour and the Humpbacks showed signs of dramatic feeding, we also had unexpected encounters such as a mother Black Bear and her cub on a nearby beach.
The weather kept our skipper and guests on their toes today, as the fog lingered, limiting visibility ever so slightly. It seemed to soften the scene, as though the volume had been turned down. The sounds that remained were the synchronized breaths from thirty+ Orcas as they gently and lethargically surfaced to release a breath while they rested. Prior to forming their resting line, Orcas take part in bedtime antics. They playfully interact with one another, rolling and twisting on top of each other, spyhopping in a manner that seems so content. When one has the privilege to witness such a beautiful event, it can sometimes move you to tears.
Freckles, Yahtzee, Argonaut and Conger were just a few of the many Humpbacks we observed today. Some were lunge feeding, others tail slapped and one Humpback cooperatively fed amongst a pod of Porpoises who were also steadily feasting.
As the day progressed the fog gave way to the sun's warm rays and so the sky turned a brilliant blue. The mirrored sea lasted the entire day and made for easy transiting as we explored the area looking for more wonder to share with our guests. Deer were spotted on one of the smaller islands which was an unexpected bonus for some of our passengers.
To end our final tour of the day, the sunset guided us home as it warmed the sky and filled our hearts.
Photo's were taken by Dave Jones using a telephoto lens and have been cropped.