A panorama that nourished our inquisitive minds!
August 28th
Our sightings:
Humpback whales, Minke Whale, Pacific White-side dolphins, Dall's Porpoises, Stellar sea lions, Harbour seals, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Black-tailed Deer, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Gull species and Belted Kingfishers.
It felt as though we were playing hide and go seek with the fog today as it swept in and out then in again during our two tours that went out today. It is during these days that we are grateful that our dear Humpbacks release such a loud and thunderous breath because in fog, we are literally searching for them using our hearing.
Our skipper went to all the favourite feeding spots where Humpbacks are often seen. While engines are stopped and our guest's ears are poised, it is the blows from the Humpbacks that often give them away. Even in thick, low visibility fog we were able to see bubble net feeding Humpbacks, whale flukes rising from the sea and even a full Humpback body breaching clear out of the water. The Fog can't hide everything.
During the afternoon as the fog thickened, it brought our attention closer to the animals dwelling onshore. Stellar Sea Lion numbers are rising as the males continue to congregate at their chosen winter haul-out locations. In fog they appear to be twice the size, especially the larger males with their massive main reminding one of the male lion in Africa. It is with no doubt that they appear to be the king of the rock.
Porpoises and dolphins appeared during our tours today, the fog making no difference to their search for food. It is a treat when immersed in thick fog, you round a corner to find an opening, like an oasis in a visibility drought. When the sun did shine it struck obstacles that drew our attention to the subtleties of nature. Sea Urchins and Anemone's were lit up like colourful lanterns and bull kelp shimmered like diamonds. The entire day was literally a panorama that nourished our inquisitive minds.
Seasmoke Whale Watching photo's have been taken using a telephoto lens and have been cropped.