The Wind Livens things Up

A Gale Force Warning was in the marine forecast for both Johnstone Strait and Queen Charlotte Strait for the afternoon. They have to predict the absolute worse case scenario so quite often the wind doesn’t always measure up to the forecast. With the current flowing in the same direction as the wind, the seas are manageable and thanks to all the islets and islands, we have sheltered waterways where we can take a break from a bumpy ride.

Even in choppy waters we found the A Clan this afternoon and to our relief they were in Blackfish Sound so we did not have to travel too far to find them. Upon our approach we found the conditions much calmer than in Johnstone Strait and noticed how spread out the whales were. They stretched from Penfold Island to Donegal Head and all travelling in a westerly direction. At one stage two family groups turned and started heading east and through the turbulent water of Wheynton Passage. At one stage we saw an individual spyhop. To see the actual face of an Orca gives us a feeling that we are having a more personal encounter, seeing into who they really are.

The two families that headed east went through a Humpback gauntlet. More and more we see these different species of whales, sharing in the same ocean space despite the different foods they eat.

A breaching Humpback was a highlight today as this particular whale breached at least four times. The massive body suddenly barreled out of the water, shooting up to the sky like a rocket. The landing is just as remarkable. A thirty ton mass landing on the sea isn’t to be taken lightly. The huge splash and thunderous sound kept us mesmerized and wanting more.

It was a super high tide today and even still Harbour seals found a rocky shore to rest. Bald eagles were seen in tree’s drying their feathers and with the luck of the sea conditions we had no need to dry our wings. We lasted the entire tour without a single ocean spray. It was another fabulous day in Northern Vancouver Island with Seasmoke.