Our wonderful world!
September 24th.
Our sightings:
Humpback whales, a Minke whale, Pacific White-sided dolphins++, Dall's porpoises, Stellar sea lions, Mother Black bear and two cubs, Harbour seals, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Ancient Murrelets, Rhinoceros Auklets, Gull species and Common Murres.
It was an amazing time that we all shared despite there being a heavy fog in our surroundings for much of our tour today.
It began with the sighting of a large bait ball that we were excited to watch as a Minke whale lunged through it, time and again. There were Harbour seals hauled out and Stellar Sea lions to view with Bald Eagles sitting high up on the tree tops as we cruised slowly along to arrive at the edge of the fog line.
We entered into the heavy fog looking for Pacific White-sided dolphins and Humpback whales that had already been reported in Blackfish Sound. Using our boat instruments we motored cautiously and slowly onwards and finally, there they were, some 80++ dolphins and a Humpback whale. Inukshuk the whale was trumpeting loudly and tail lobbing repeatedly. The viewing was spectacular, especially when a second Humpback whale joined in and with dolphins all around, we found ourselves totally immersed and transfixed on the moments at hand that lasted for us a long-while, observing and listening to the dolphins splashing and leaping all around us and the Humpbacks!
As the fog began to clear, on our return home we were able to enjoy the lovely sights of some picturesque island waterways that never disappoint and are always a treat to explore. The last wildlife encounter for everyone was the surprise viewing of a mother Black bear and her two cubs who we observed were feeding amongst the boulders at low tide. Our ending could not have been more heart warming or memorable. A Mother bear teaching her cubs how and when to feed, on a coastal beach where the tide is low and generous with food for their taking, twice a day.
Seasmoke Whale Watching photo's have been taken by Dave Jones using a telephoto lens and have been cropped.