Whales, waterfowl and other natural wonders!

Guests departed Alert Bay in the MV Seasmoke under cool and cloudy skies today, with barely a breeze and very calm seas. Our skipper cruised over to the Stephanson Islands to start the tour and passengers were treated to the sight of numerous waterfowl: the Belted Kingfisher, Black Oystercatcher and Red Necked Phalarope, then further at Compton Island and Blackfish Sound, the Rhinocerous Auklet and Common Murre were seen, along with lots of seagulls feeding on a large bait ball of tiny fish. Two regal adult Bald Eagles, with their characteristic white feathered heads and black bodies were perched together on bare logs, and further along, a brown juvenile was spotted in its nest, flapping its wings as if in preparation for flight.

Blackfish Sound was once again alive with sea mammals such as the Dall’s Porpoise, also seen in Weynton Passage, that delighted everyone with their quick bobbing up and down and around, in such startling contrast to the Humpback whales that make their stately way across the Sound, with slow graceful dives and spectacular loud blows, that great puffing out of air that help us to locate them. A passenger helped us identify Squiggles, a Humpback that has visited these waters before. How wonderful to watch a Humpback dive - first watching as it curves its back, then lifts the magnificent fluke as it takes that last plunge into the deep.

A lone Stellar sea lion was observed feeding on fish by Orca Lab at Hanson Island, and passengers were happy to see Harbour seals with pups in the Stephanson Islands. A delightful day for all our guests who who experienced the joy of being out on the water, some coming for the third time with us, and bearing witness to our bountiful wildlife and fantastic scenery.