A beautiful blue day watching Humpback whales, Orcas and more!
August 29th
Today's sightings:
Orcas (A30's, A23's/25's, I15's, I31's) Humpback whales, Pacific White-sided dolphins, Dall's porpoises, Stellar sea lions, Harbour seals, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Gull species and Belted Kingfishers.
The weather showed us all its moods as we ventured in all directions due to the varied and dynamic wildlife we viewed today. On the west side of Hanson Island the SE winds had ruffled the seas and on the east side the ocean was like a mirror. It was so calm and clear that we were able to see distinctly, a salmon swimming urgently past our boat with a whale literally on its tail. How stunning the Orcas are with their black and white colouration saturated by the ocean, therefore glistening in the sun's gentle rays.
The mountains were glorious today in their many layers, each one mildly coloured in soft pastels and standing out with the blue sky backdrop. Everything shimmered in the sunshine. Harbour seals poised high on barnacle covered rocks glistened and streamlined Stellar Sea Lions gracefully cruised past us, their tanned bodies also glowing in the afternoon sun. The bulbs from bull kelp, suspended on the ocean surface sparkled like diamonds, sun-kissed by the ever present sun.
Every creature great and small was eating today. Humpback whales were lunge feeding and tail lobbing, and amongst them was a large gathering of numerous birds as they also made use of the bait ball of small schooling fish. Orcas, Dolphins and Porpoises were hunting in the same area and kept us observers on our toes as we attempted to identify the different species that all seemed lumped together.
It was another magical day of viewing where once again we were spoiled by the generous gifts from Mother Nature as she revealed her most valued treasures and the SE winds surprised us all with the warmth that came from further south!
Seasmoke Whale Watching photo's have been taken with a telephoto lens by D. Jones and have been cropped.