Stellar Sea Lions Everywhere!

The weather was certainly mixed today with sun earlier changing to mist and a slight drizzle, then back to sun again in Johnstone Strait. With the fog in Blackfish Sound, it was important to listen to the many blows coming from the Humpback that are often sighted there as they feed. Sure enough, once the MV Seasmoke cruised over to Stubbs Island, a few Humpback became visible and passengers were able to watch them foraging in the still, glass-like waters.

Stellar sea lions, brown and golden brown in colour are in every sound and passage. This is their time to visit us and to be in local waters in large numbers from 100 to 150! They seem to love their Sea Lion Rock as a favourite place to lounge and make those distinctive, loud ‘honking’ bellows that announce their presence. Grey and white Harbour seals that are smaller than sea lions were in the pretty Stephanson group of islets both on the rocks and in the water swimming with the large Bull kelp.

On most recent trips, our guests have been encountering the Northern Resident Orca, but today was a day for the ‘Biggs’ or ‘Transient’ that were spotted near Telegraph Cove. These mammal eating Orca often travel singly or in small groups and hunt for all kinds of mammals including seals, sea lions and small whales. They will also hunt for the smaller Dall’s porpoise that were seen nearby and very likely could have been prey.

A delightful day to be out on the water, enjoying the world our local wildlife inhabit!