Fabulous sightings of Whales and Dolphins blanketed by fog!

September 2nd

Our sightings:

Orcas, Humpback whales, Pacific White-sided dolphin, Harbour seals, Stellar sea lions, a Mink, Great Blue Herons, Rhinoceros Auklets, Gull species, Common Murres and Bald Eagles.

We observed some neat behaviour today as we watched different species converse while traveling and foraging in the same vicinity. It does at times feel as though we are an audience watching a pantomime performance.

Orcas, Humpback whales and Dolphins were grouped closely together, in fact at times it seemed too close. Inukshuk displayed displeasure by trumpeting loudly to push off the pesky dolphins which seemed to be darting back and forth towards the Humpbacks head. When that didn't work, Inukshuk tried another tactic by tail lobbing. This is when the whale uses its powerful fluke to slap powerfully down on the surface of the water. It literally lets off a loud, cracking thunderous sound that actually did the trick. We have watched Dolphins buzz around Orcas heads, quite similar to a bird dive bombing at an innocent person passing by. We had fog today and it lingered. At this time of year this heavy marine layer sticks around unless there is wind to disperse it or sun to burn it off. We had neither today and so the soft greyness of sea and sky melted, one within the other.

Orcas (I15's and I31's) were making their way back East from the West today. Their black dorsal fins appeared larger in these grey toned conditions and their snow-white eye patch glowed bright like a lantern.

Harbour seals were camouflaged in the low light, their speckled grey, brown bodies blending in with the granite grey rocks in which they lay relatively still. A mink caught our eye as it vigorously swam passed our boat, heading for shore. Once it reached land, we were able to see its entire body scramble up on to the rocky beach and continue along.

September is the month that makes us locals fall in love with this area all over again. Although we had heavy downfalls of rain at times, it does not take away from the fabulous beauty this area has to offer in all its damp and grey glory.

Seasmoke Whale Watching photo's have been taken by Dave Jones using a telephoto lens and have been cropped.