Keen Eyes on the Water that is Filled with Surprises

We were delighted by all the wildlife that surrounded us today during our tour with Seasmoke Whale Watching. Right after picking up our guests from Alder Bay, we discovered a lone Humpback whale travelling northwest between Cormorant Island and Vancouver Island.

After this early whale encounter we decided to explore the Pearce Islands. One of our guests spotted a dorsal fin rising up from the sea below. We stopped the boat and waited. All our eyes were poised in the direction of the fin wondering whether it was porpoise or a dolphin. Imagine our surprise when a Minke whale surfaced. This small, streamlined whale which are often difficult to find, stayed in the area for several minutes, allowing us to follow its movements from a distance. We saw the head of the whale, even the pleats underneath its mouth, as sometimes it would surface, head first lunging slightly out of the water. We even had the chance to smell the blow coming from its lungs. Now we understand why this small baleen whale (it has baleen instead of teeth) is also known as Stinky Minke.

We continued our trip and found ourselves in an opening, clear of fog. Right there a group of Humpback whales were foraging. We recognized Argonaut, a large male we have been observing in these waters all summer long.  Suddenly a cruise ship appeared coming into a clearing from a dense patch of fog. As our Humpbacks surfaced the ship was in the background. When watching a Humpback from the platform of our boat, we feel quite small and the Humpback gigantic, but this cruise ship changed the perspective completely. 

Steller Sea lions were socializing and feeding within a small bait ball, sharing the fish with Rhinoceros Auklets. Adult Bald Eagles flew with determination to try and catch a small fish from the water, using their sharp talons. We watched one Eagle eats its prey in one gulp while in mid-flight, then taking off to land on a high tree branch. 

Fun and dynamic is the wildlife that surrounds us. Eyes need to be keen and wide open, as you never know which amazing thing which will surprise you next.