What a Way to End our Season

It is always bitter sweet when we set off on our final tour of the Seasmoke season. And how fitting that our adventure today was sponsored by Seasmoke as a gift for the Alert Bay Junior Rangers. It is always a treat to take out locals, particularly those that have lived here all of their lives, with little opportunity to explore their very own ocean backyard.

Usually at this time of year signs of fall is evident by strong south easterly winds, rain and turbulent seas. However, just as our summer was late to arrive, our fall appears to be delayed also. A calm mirrored sea welcomed us and even with the high ceiling fog that blanketed our skies, it was a tranquil, calm and beautiful day on the water. The wildlife however gave us a dramatic and exciting display that showed the wildness of this region and the variety of animals that call this area home.

We set off early from the Alert Bay government dock and having heard a report about a sighting of Orca, we set off in an easterly direction towards Johnstone Strait. It did not take long for the action to begin as a group of Transient (Biggs) Orca came towards us. From the shape and size of their dorsal fins and the number of whales, we recognized that it was the same group as yesterday.

What was different about today was the immense amount of food that was in the area; there was enough to feed various species of marine mammals. Pacific white-sided dolphins and Dall’s porpoise were abundant and appearing energetic and playful as both species rode our wake as we slowly traveled. The Orca’s maneuvered among the Stephenson Islets, traveling within the forests of bull kelp and fairly close to the rocky shore. And then the hunting began. An unfortunate dolphin was caught unawares and fortunately for the Orca it became their dinner. We hope to post images of this dramatic scene shortly.

The teamwork is mesmerizing as this family of Orca worked together to hunt one of the most acrobatic, fast moving specie of their own kind. To witness such a kill can be difficult to observe for some, however in the animal kingdom, including our own, there is always an animal requiring another for food and to survive.

At least twelve Humpbacks were foraging and feeding, all in a similar vicinity as bait-balls of small schooling fish were by the plenty. Numerous species of birds feasted on the abundance of the sea as September continued to show its true colours. Like we have mentioned before, September is the favourite month for many locals as there is a richness in the sea that makes the entire area come alive, and today it truly came alive.

The Orcas literally escorted our tour back to the Alert Bay dock, giving our land-based locals a chance to witness their grace, elegance and beauty, right from the Alert Bay main street. We could not think of a more wonderful way to end our Seasmoke season.

We are closing our season early due to the sudden decline in visitors to the North Island. However short our season has been, we remain grateful to have been able to open and offer wildlife tours in this Northern Vancouver Island region. We are pleased with how many local Canadians chose Alert Bay to visit and Seasmoke to take them out to see whales. Even as the world continues to struggle with the presence of COVID-19 it is so important we stay in touch with nature and allow the beauty to surround us and continue to teach us and keep us connected to our precious natural world.