Wow! Transients and Residents all in an afternoon!

The rain has passed and we enjoyed a sunny day with light wind and a 4.8 knot current for our afternoon tour. Passengers set out from Alert Bay and Alder Bay Resort and right at the top of the Pearse Islands caught sight of the Biggs or Transient Orca (260 B and D) travelling and hunting. Reports were that one of these mammal hunters was observed snagging a seal. That would be a sight!

As the tour progressed into Blackfish Sound, there was more excitement with the sighting of distinctive large blows in the distance, signifying Humpback whales just off the top of Stubb’s Island. In fact our passengers observed four this afternoon, foraging, diving and showing their magnificent flukes.

Also off Stubb’s Island, our group spotted the Northern Resident Orca foraging and feeding - identified as I 27 and I65 who have been in the area recently. These Orca go after salmon that run through the waters here in late July and August. Some smaller black and whites, the Dall’s porpoise, were also bobbing in the waves around Stubb’s Island. Very fast swimmers, these marine mammals can be difficult to spot as they don’t rise too far above the water line and move very quickly.

Our juvenile eagle, that we’ve been watching from birth to going through its efforts to learn to fly, seems to have ‘flown the coop,’ as for the first time, was not seen anywhere near the nest, and neither were the adults. Other local birds include the Red Necked Phalarope.

A very exciting day for our guests who were treated to lots of Orca viewing today.