The Pod of Orca at the End of the Rainbow!

The MV Seasmoke had a busy day with both a noon hour and late afternoon tour today. After a refreshing morning rain, the skies cleared to a mix of sun and cloud, and calm conditions on the water. The early guests had a spectacular experience observing a large number of Northern Resident Orca about 20 to 25 of them from two different pods travelling in a big spread throughout Blackfish Sound from Bold Head, to Donegal Head on Malcolm Island all the way to the Plumper group of islands! The ‘A’ pod that we are accustomed to seeing in this area were present: A25s, A54s and A60s. And the ‘I’ pod that have been frequenting our shores, I27s and I65s were joining in. Such a beautiful sight, all these ‘black and whites’ coming to the surface to ‘blow’ and take a breath, then diving in their search for west coast salmon, and among them a myriad of waterfowl including the Pigeon Guillemot and Rhinoceros Auklet.

We are often asked what the best time of day is to go out to see our Resident Orca, and there is no 'best time’ - our evening guests were just as fortunate, and saw the same group of Orca heading back in a different direction after the Seasmoke departed Alert Bay and Alder Bay shortly after 3:00pm.

Stellar sea lions, golden brown in colour, and who we usually see in early August, are now coming in larger numbers and were also seen in the pretty Plumper Islands, sunning themselves on the rocks close by an eagle’s nest, where a Bald eagle was observed high up, scanning its domain. In Blackfish Sound both afternoon and evening passengers watched the quick Dall’s porpoise that come up and splash in the water, and swim off quickly at speeds of up to 55km per hour!

Near Stubbs Island, the majestic Humpbacks were foraging for food - four were spotted in the afternoon and another three in the evening. Always wonderful to watch as they gracefully rise to the surface, emit a large ‘blow’, dive down again a few times, then make that deep dive when their fluke comes up for all to see.

The waterfowl we’ve been observing over past weeks were swimming around Weynton Passage tonight, and Sooty Shearwater dipped and dived in Blackfish Sound. Our friendly neighbourhood Harbour seals were lounging at home in the Stephanson group of islands, and swimming among the kelp. A great day for everyone who could get out to see this fantastic wildlife in the wilderness home they share with us.