Finding Whales in the Fog

We had another fog-filled day out on the water but today this heavy mist did not lift until quite late in the afternoon. For most of our first tour we were left using our hearing only and in doing so, we found whales. 

The whale watching community in this Northern Vancouver Island region are a unique group of people who work together when out on the water. Even though we are somewhat competitors on land, once we are on the water, we share the sightings and help each other locate whales. 

Having arrived in the area where whales had been sighted, thanks to a report from another whale watcher, we shut down our engines, placed the underwater microphone down and listened.  We could not see two feet in front of us so with one sense limited, we waited in absolute silence. It did not take long until a group of blows could be heard as well as an occasional distant call whale call. By the sound of the blow and unique vocalisation, we knew we had Orca's were near by. 

A passing of an individual male Orca in the thick blanket of fog, the surfacing of a near by Humpback followed by an elegant lift of its powerful fluke, a Pigeon Guillemot which in the fog from a distance looked like a porpoise and finally bow riding Dall's porpoises, were all highlights from our two tours today. We journeyed through narrow passages bringing us close to the forest-lined shore, where we observed Old Man's Beard lichen hanging heavy with dew from the dampness of the air. 

Eerie, mystical, spooky and beautiful fog softens the entire scene around us and enlivens are spirits when the gems of wildlife reveal themselves.