Feeding Frenzy Wednesday

The ferry that departs Alert Bay at 640am is our early fog warning signal. When there is fog a horn would sound even shortly after leaving the harbour. This morning it was silent. The morning was calm and clear, and a blanket of cloud filled the sky. The grey above and the grey below made our rich green forested islands and hills stand out like beacons.

The MV Seasmoke picked up passengers from Alert Bay and Alder Bay and ventured down Johnstone Strait in search of wildlife. It is the animals that dictate our tour and direct us where to go, therefore the sighting of a large Humpback blow caught our attention and lured us into Blackney Passage.

What a sight to behold when we came across five Humpback whales indulging in a mighty breakfast. Tight balls of juvenile herring were being scooped up by the massive jaws of these baleen giants. Pectoral fins waved, large heads bobbed high out of the water as the whales lunged and scooped up their food. Small birds like the Rhinoceros Auklet joined in on the feast as they to share a similar diet. We were grateful to be able to observe such a feast among these graceful creatures as we floated in silence in the very waters we share.

A couple of Stellar sea lions were at the rock this morning, and as the summer progresses, more and more individuals will appear and the fight for the best real estate will begin. Near by the Bald eagles nest we have been monitoring still remains empty. We are certain now that the eagle pair that shares this nest did not breed this summer. Although they have been spending time here, and even in the nest on occasion, no eaglet sign has appeared.

A quiet, calm and dynamic day on the water was appreciated and enjoyed by our visitors and particularly our skipper Jon who is like a kid in a candy store out there on the water.