Beauty and Abundance Abounds

It was an extremely busy 'wildlife' day which started in an instant after departing from Alder Bay. Soon after leaving the dock we were in the company of a Humpback whale followed by several families of Northern Resident Orca. The A23s, I11s, Ds, A25s, A30s, A24s, I15s were all travelling towards Johnstone Strait from Pearce Islands which are the islands just east of Alert Bay. 

Tail slapping, breaching and socializing was some of the behaviours we observed as they continued in an easterly direction. At one stage we noticed one of the family groups had formed a resting line. As their swimming slowed and they adjusted their position to be side by side, they took a 'whale nap'. It is as though they utilize their family members as a blanket, keeping each individual safe and free from harm. They synchronize their breathing so the entire family surfaces to breath all at the very same time. It is a beautiful site to witness.

With our engines turned off and drifting in silence, we decided to lower our underwater hydrophone. Vocalizations were heard in the distance made by other family groups, however the resting pod were completely silent. 

While the family of Orca rested, a Minke passed by fairly close, bringing its head a great portion out of the water as it surfaced. Further in the distance a Humpback whale breached creating a splash that stirred the calm sea into a mash of white water. 

Throughout the afternoon rain fell upon us as we continued our journey in search of other local wildlife. We discovered a group of Steller Sea lions which cruised along the shore of Malcolm Island. A Rhinoceros Auklet caught our attention as we noticed something strange in its mouth. After peering through binoculars we realized this bird was carrying a little fish the size of a herring, prey ready to be eaten. Humpbacks were all around foraging. We were grateful to be able to identify Argonaut thanks to the sequence of surfaces he did and a deep dive which revealed the uniquely marked fluke. 

We made our way back towards home and enjoyed the Bull Kelp Forest swaying in the fast moving current. A sudden surprise of a Sea Otter encounter delighted all our guests and the Sea Otter seemed just as curious with us as we were of it.  

The more we spend time with observing these creatures above the water, it makes us curious as to what is going on under the water.  We only see such a glimpse of their lives, therefore what happens below the surface remains a mystery. The entire new world that exists below us is left to our own imagination.