Monday, September 01, 2008

A24s with A30s near Malcolm Island

Ellen reports

Down at the backside of Malcolm Island we meet up with the A30s, and a whole bunch of their friends, I id A60 and A66 in there, also A24s, so it seems the same bunch we saw last week. They were in resting mode, but we had a few spyhops and lots of tailslaps, so lots to see.
The whales went off toward Fife Sound as we watched just off Lizard Point and the A36s were reported up north near Pile Island, so we are wondering if they escorted the I11s out and are bringing new ones back with them.
Ellen@Port McNeill
01 Sep 2008 17:12:49 PDT

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Ellen reports:
We rounded Malcolm Point we saw the first Orcas. I was able to id I64 right away and there was an awful lot of familiar tall dorsal fins in there... I had a feeling we had the A36s there. The whales were heading for the beaches at Bere Pt and we witnessed a short rub there, amazing! Lots of socialization, amazing vocals, spyhops, breaches, everything in the orca manual book :) All in all I was positively able to id the A30s, A24s, A23's, A8s, A36s, I11s I hope I didn't miss anyone.
Ellen@Port McNeill
27 Aug 2008 17:20:02 PDT

Monday, August 25, 2008

A24s still in the area with the A5s and A12s

Seamokwe reports

The orcas reported in the area today were the A12’s, A23’s, A25’s, A8’s and A24’s. On the morning tour the orcas were in a long resting line, traveling slowly to the east, it was wonderful to watch their synchronized surfacing to expire and inhale. The A12’s, A25’s and A23’s were the pods closest to the boat and were enjoyed by all. The pods were again seen on our afternoon tours, this time they were traveling to the west along the Hanson Island shoreline, the viewing was superb from both vessels and A-Clan calls were heard via the hydrophone. The orcas made their turn back to the east, crossing towards the Vancouver Island shore. Their activity today included: resting, traveling, foraging, breeching and pectoral and tail slapping.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

A24s traveling with A12s and A5s

Seasmoke reports

The orcas were traveling to the west from the Boat Bay Light, most of them were on the Cracroft Island shore, well spread out and stopping to forage along the way, the A12’s, A8’s, A24’s, A23’s and A25’s. A-Clan vocalizations were heard by passengers on both vessels, passengers on the SV Tuan enjoyed hearing some vocals from the A25’s above the water at one point without the hydrophone being deployed. Some quality viewing was observed of the A25’s. The behaviour today observed of the orcas was varied with tail slapping, pectoral slaps, breeching and half breeches, spyhopping as well some intense foraging, lunge diving and momentary resting.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

A24s with A8s, A12s and A30s on transit

Seasmoke reports

There were many orcas to be seen in Johnstone Strait this morning, several pods were in transit, the A12’s, A30’s, A8’s and A24’s.

Monday, August 18, 2008

A24s with A12s and A5s in JS

Seasmoke reports:

The pods that were sighted today were the A8’s, A23’s, A25’s, A24’s and the A12’s. They were again well spread out across Johnstone Strait. Traveling, foraging, tail slapping, breaching and spy-hopping socializing behaviour was observed.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

A24s back from the east

Seasmoke reports:
The orcas were reported as being to the far east in Johnstone Strait in the early morning, they were resting near Port Neville and began traveling to the west at a rapid and steady pace. It was on the afternoon tour that we encountered them just west of the Boat Bay Light on the Cracroft Island shore, the A8’s and the A24’s, other pods were further behind in the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, foraging and heading west as well.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

A24s with A12s and A5s up and down in JS

We have the A12´s, A24´s and all the A5´s in the strait going west again. They do everyday the same, going up and down the strait. Nice to have them around. The A36´s came back from the east last night around 10pm and went out through Blackney this morning at 4am. We hearing very distant calls on CP now. A lot of strange imitation calls today. So sad you cannot hear them. But hopefully soon. Cross your fingers.
Melanie
16 Aug 2008 14:21:04 PDT

Friday, August 15, 2008

A24s in the Bight

We are so sorry that the live audio is still not working.But the internet is still on and off. A short update. The A12´s, all A5´s and the A24´s are in the bight, close to the hydrophone we can hear A12calls. A55, A62, A67 and A83 were a bit far off the others. All going east. We had a report of the A36´s coming up from the east. So maybe they join the others soon. This morning we had the A30´s with the I31´s in Blackfish Sound, after the A30´s went out last night they brought the I31´s back in. But they went already out again to the west.
Melanie
15 Aug 2008 15:42:25 PDT

Thursday, August 14, 2008

A35 and A64 had a new calf!!

Orcalab reports:

Just try to give you an update. Our connection is still on and off. We had the A30s, A36s, A12s and A11s yesterday joining the A5s and A24s in Johnstone Strait. The A36s and A12s went far to the east. Today we have the A12s, A30s, A5s and A24s in the strait, going back and forth. The A11s went out yesterday evening. We saw the new calf of A35 and A64. They looking great. It's so good to see new babys. Now somebody is rubbing without calling. The rest is still in the bight. We had a report that all groups going slowly to the east. Maybe they will pick up the A36s, which were on the way back to the west. Lets see.
Melanie
14 Aug 2008 18:40:25 PDT

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A11s back in JS with many other pods

Seasmoke reports:

Today has to be one of the best days of the season with many pods of orcas being present in Johnstone Strait. Because the pods were so spread out it was not possible to see them all. Time was spent viewing the A30’s and A24’s and on the way home, up in Weynton Passage, the A11’s were sighted. The lighting was glorious with the sun shining on them as they lay resting on the surface of the water, as well, there were multiple spy-hops observed which delighted everyone on board.

Stubbs whale watching reports:

In the afternoon the sun shone and it was fabulous, it was the first time this season our naturalists were able to go without their jackets. On the way down Johnstone Strait we had the most incredible bow-riding Pacific white-sided dolphins. They were porpoising and riding in the wake of the boat. We then encountered the A30's; A23's; and possibly the A8's. On our way back up Blackfish Sound we found the A11's in Weynton Pass.

Monday, August 11, 2008

A24s still in the area with A5s and A36s

Distant calls audible.

Hello,our internet connection is going on and off and just now I will give you a short update. Last night the A36´s, A24´s and the A5´s came into Blackney went north very slow. After about an hour the A24´s and A5´s turned and went back south to the strait. The A36´s went out. So we had the night and today the same game like the last two weeks, the A24´s and the A5´s are going back and forth in the Johnstone Strait. Now we are listing to the A5´s distant on Crpt. We will see how long the internet connection keeps going this time.
Melanie
11 Aug 2008 18:47:44 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A5´s and prob. the A24´s were in the Johnstone Strait going back and forth. Sounds like they went east. But probably not long. We had short calls from the A36´s in Blackfish Sound. Do they call them? We will see.
Melanie
11 Aug 2008 21:20:27 PDT

Seasmoke reports
On the afternoon tour passengers on board M.V. Cetacea encountered the orcas the A24’s, A8’s and A25’s heading back to the west, foraging as they went along the Hanson Island shore. An orca was seen with a salmon in its mouth, spy-hopping was also observed but mostly the behavior noted was foraging.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

A24s back in JS and left with the A5s to the east

No calls but orcas nearby

Finally we have internet connection again. The A5´s, A24´s and the A36´s (who came last night in throught Blackney) are in Johnstone Strait probably still eastbound. We expecting them on the Rubbing Beaches. Hopefully everthing works good and we are online.
Melanie
10 Aug 2008 16:16:28 PDT

No orcas present.

The A5´s and the A24´s passed the eastern boundary of the reserve, still eastbound. We don´t know exactly what happend to the A36´s, it is not important that they went out through Weynton. Lot of boatnoise in Blackfish Sound.
Melanie
10 Aug 2008 17:21:18 PDT

Saturday, August 09, 2008

A24s in company with A5s to the east

Seasmoke reports

The orcas seen on todays tour were the A24’s, A23’s and A8’s. They were foraging and resting, heading west along the Hanson Island shore before turning back to the east.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Seasmoke reports

When the curtain of fog had finally cleared in Johnstone Strait, the orcas were sighted and beautifully so! It was the same group as yesterday, the A5’s and the A8’s. They were all spread out and foraging, some along the Hanson Island shore and others crossing over to the VI shore. With the engine off and the boat drifting in the current, A-Clan vocals could be clearly heard via the hydrophone. On the afternoon tour, after a brief encounter of bow-riding Pacific White-sided Dolphins, MV Cetacea met up with the A25’s who were traveling back to the east, foraging steadily along the VI shore, the other pods were further east and in the Robson Bight Reserve.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Seasmoke reports:

This morning the orcas were sighted at Cracroft Point, they were in resting lines, the rhythmic pattern of their surfacing in unison to exhale and inhale was beautiful to watch and mesmerizing as were the sounds they made in the stillness of the morning; the A5 pods and the A24’s. On the afternoon tour, the orcas were moving west from Cracroft Point along the Hanson Island shore. Light winds were blowing and both the main sail and the stay sail were hoisted enabling passengers the experience of sailing quietly with the orcas while trailing the hydrophone while listening to their A-Clan calls. Some of the pods carried on west towards the Stephenson Islands (the A25’s and A8’s) while the A23’s and A24’s crossed over to the VI shore, all of them foraging. It was up in Beaver Cove that all of the pods foraged intensively before they turned back to the east.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

A11s left with the A5s to the North

Multiple pod calls audible.

It seems we're connected again, after being down most of the night. Sorry about that, as it has been very exciting vocally & socially. There has been a lot of movement since yesterday. The groups that were in the east came quickly back to the west in the afternoon & met up with the I15s/I31s, who had spent hours resting in western Johnstone Strait yesterday afternoon before heading into the beaches for an excited rub just before the A11s & co met them around 7pm. The A12s & A36s came back into the Strait via Weynton Pass & headed east just before dark. Most of the groups headed north via Blackney Pass around midnight & then headed back into the Strait around 3am. At the moment, the A30s & I31s are in Blackfish Sound. We think the A12s headed east from Robson Bight around 3am.
Helena
29 Jul 2008 06:18:23 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A11s, followed by the A5s, have just travelled north through Blackney Pass on the swiftly ebbing tide.
Helena
29 Jul 2008 07:37:04 PDT

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Multiple pod calls audible.

A lot has been happening while we were "down". First of all, this morning we have heard the I15s and possibly other G clan members arrive into Johnstone Strait. We are also hearing A1 calls and hopefully soon will sort out who. Yesterday, the A30s continued west toward the A24s and A5s who spent the day in the Lower Johnstone Strait (Nick Templeman report). Then yesterday evening, A12 and A33 travelled through Blackfish Sound,Blackney Pass and into Johnstone Strait. They were first seen by Troy Bright at Berre Point. They looked well and energetic, foraging as they travelled past us. A small minke kept company briefly. Again this morning, we had a group of dolphins who added to the mix.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 08:00:39 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

This parade has no end. We are now listening to A4 calls!
Helena
27 Jul 2008 09:09:23 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the orcas (A4s) have reached the rubbing beaches!
Helena
27 Jul 2008 09:46:02 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

We think that the A11s are there today (at the Beaches)
Helena
27 Jul 2008 10:14:22 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A11s, A36s & others have turned back to the west & are spread out across the Strait opposite Naka Creek. They are moving slowly but should be within range of our hydrophones again before long.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 14:10:48 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

After passing the Beaches, the I15s, I31s and the A36s turned back to the west. They have now passed CP and are on their way west. The A11s, who were seen earlier have not been yet identified as part of this western run. Meanwhile, the A30s,A5s, A12s and A24s were in the Lower Johnstone Strait where at least some, if not all, went southeast of Nodales Channel.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 17:15:14 PDT

Saturday, July 26, 2008

A24s are with the A5s east in Johnstone Strait

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s continued east. They are now just about to enter the Ecological Reserve. Meanwhile, the A5s and A24s were reported off Camp Point (east Johnstone Strait) this morning.
Helena
26 Jul 2008 11:04:08 PDT

Friday, July 25, 2008

Orcalab reports: A24s with A5 matrilines in JS

Multiple pod calls audible.

Nice surprise! We just heard A51s group in Blackfish Sound! We had been listening to the A24s, A8s and A23s in Johnstone Strait but after a brief gap in their calls we heard A5 calls in Blackfish. Soon after we heard blows and saw fins in the moonlight pass north through Blackney Pass. We assume the A8s, A23s and A24s were on their way to meet up with the newcomers. It will be interesting to "see" what happens next for the tide is ebbing for quite a while longer.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 01:14:43 PDT


Orcas near mics.

The A24s and the A5s (all) came back west from Naka Creek while the A34s sauntered up to Beaver Cove, west of Telegraph Cove. They eventually turned around and began a slow movement back to the east as the A24s and the A5s turned ahead of them and moved into the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 16:31:04 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The rub is finished and the A24s and the A5s are westbound. The A8s are midstrait opposite Critical Point while others are deep into the estuary. We can also hear the A24s and the A34s.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 18:26:56 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A4s, A5s and the A34s came up even with the entrance of Blackney Pass and now seem to be turning back to theeast once again.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 20:42:44 PDT

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Someone touched in at the Beaches on their way to Critical Point. We are now hearing A24 calls so perhaps they are in the lead.
Helena
24 Jul 2008 21:13:05 PDT

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

After coming in close to Critical Point the A4 and A5 groups seemed to go around the "corner". The A5s have already been to the beaches. The A34s were still west of Critical Point.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 22:36:20 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Sounds like the A4s,A5s and the A34s have moved back toward the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 21:08:38 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Despite the boat noise in Johnstone Strait the calls have been quite clear at times as they come near the hydrophones. The Cliff" had the A34s, A23s, A8s and A24s pass by and by now the groups are passing CP, some in quite close.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 19:05:26 PDT

No orcas present.

It has been quiet (except for boat noise) since around 1am. We think several of the groups from yesterday (A12s, A5s, at least some A4s) remained in Johnstone Srtrait & were probably headed east by midnight. At least one C group headed north via Blackney Pass around 12:30am. It's a quiet morning here, on & under the water. We are waiting.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 08:01:17 PDT

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Distant calls audible.

Curious. More questions. We are hearing both A4 and Cs in Johnstone Strait. Have the A11s come west after the rub? Did all the Cs go out to Blackfish Sound? Did some stay? Or have they looped around Hanson Island?
Helena
22 Jul 2008 22:41:35 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Oh boy! The A11s are rubbing while the Cs travel into Blackfish Sound. Both are vocal.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 20:47:09 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Marie, staying late on the Cliff, reports that the Cs are with the A11s opposite Robson Bight headed east.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 20:16:37 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It has been interesting trying to figure out all of the movement around the area. It now appears the A11s (including Springer) arrived in the Strait possibly past Alert bay. As they were making their way east, the Cs went past the Cliff to the west, ignoring the A5s, A34s and possibly the A24s (an earlier arrival this afternoon) who continued east to the eastern end of the Reserve. We still have plenty of questions and tracking.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 19:22:26 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Several developments! More orcas have been sighted heading east past Alert Bay; the A4 group that came in via Weynton Pass has made it as far as the rubbing beaches; the A5s & A34s are headed towards the Cracroft side from Robson Bight; and the Cs are westbound again, now off the Sophias.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 18:44:33 PDT
There have been new developments. The A4s are back via Weynton Pass. They are now eastbound in Johnstone Strait. The A8s and the A23s are westbound to meet them. Currently, they are moving toward Cracroft Point. The A34s are following.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 17:21:44 PDT

Saturday, July 19, 2008

No orcas present.

Jack Springer "down east" reported to the "Cliff" that the A23s and the A8s spent yesterday in Frederick Arm. We also heard that the A11s have been spending some time in Queen Charlotte Strait lately so they have not gone too far away. Promising news.
Helena
19 Jul 2008 10:08:51 PDT

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Boat noise

As far as we know the A5s continued eastward. There was a report of whales in Queen Charlotte Strait this morning. Nice to imagine it was the absent A11s. We will see what develops overnight. Lovely sunny day with humpbacks, dall porpoise and minke whales,
Helena
13 Jul 2008 22:53:05 PDT

No orcas present.

Once the whales got into Blackfish Sound they became vocal for a while longer before fading off into the distance. Very foggy this morning.
Helena
13 Jul 2008 09:10:52 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby

And once again these groups passed north through Blackney Pass into Blackfish Sound.
Helena
13 Jul 2008 00:21:37 PDT

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Orcas near mics.

Well this is interesting! We are hearing A4 and A5 calls in the entrance of Blackney Pass once again.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 23:10:04 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.

The A11s and the A5s came up to Cracroft point once again but this time they turned into Blackney Pass and rushed northward into Blackfish Sound. A60 was very active, waiting for the A8s to push through,foraging and posrpoising along. The whales were spread right across Blackney. They are now all in Blackfish Sound, still vocal.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 18:14:56 PDT
Distant calls audible.

The boats let us know that the G17s headed off towards Sointula - a quick tour with an interesting departure choice. At 1:40pm the A11s (all of them) and the A8s and A23s turned off the Wastells and began their journey back to the east while the G17s departed for points west.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 14:42:44 PDT
Distant calls audible.

The A11s, A5s and G17s are continuing west past the entrance of Blackney Pass.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 12:33:20 PDT
Orcas near mics.

The A4s,A5s and Gs are approaching the Cracroft Point/Blackney Pass area.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 12:06:08 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby

The whales, after a brief rub, turned and headed back to the west. One group on Vancouver Island is just clearing the western boundary of the Reserve and others are opposite the "Cliff" across from Robson Bight.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 11:32:15 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby

We still are unable to listen to our normal range. But the "Cliff" was able to update our reports as the groups (the A11s,G17s and A5s) passed Critical Point.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 10:13:40 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby

The A4s and the Gs took advantage of the slack tide and went into Johnstone Strait where we think we heard A5 calls as well. All are east bound toward the Reserve by now. Also a report via Nic Templeman that 3 large male fins were seen at 7:15am off Stimpson Reef.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 09:19:25 PDT

Monday, July 07, 2008

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s and the A8s went up to the western end of Hanson Island by 6pm. From there they turned back to the east and just a short while ago we heard them off of Cracroft Point. Perhaps they will continue eastward. The tide is dropping but they have been swimming against the tide all day. Interesting note: CetaceaLab has seen the A30s and A4s and heard A5 calls as well. Seeming the A51s have not been seen here we have to conclude they are still north.
Helena
07 Jul 2008 19:41:29 PDT

Monday, June 23, 2008

23 june 2008, Cetaceanlab reports:

Since about two weeks we are listening to a whole new part of the north coast, as we installed a new hydrophone station at the north east side of Aristabazal Island. We are now able to listen to Caamano and Estevan Sound which the whales use quite often during their travels through this area. The timing of installation could not have been better as late last night the under water world of Caamano Sound was filled by the excited calls from A, G and R-Clan members of the northern resident orcas. The whales were first vocal on our “Home station” as they traveled south in Squally Channel at about 11pm. By that time the ocean was totally quiet below the surface after another noise polluted day filled with up by 100 sport fishing lodge boats operating day after day during the summer months in this area. We got the impression that the whales really enjoyed the silence underwater as their calls were so absolutely excited and did not stop for another four (!) hours. It was one of these rare occasions where no man-made noise interrupted their “All-Clan” meeting. Acoustically, we were able to make out the: A36, A4, A5, a B,C,D group, G and R-Clan matrilines, this may have been well over 100 whales. The whales were very close to the hydrophone at Aristazabal Island at 4:10am before fading away towards perhaps Laredo Channel.

Friday, June 20, 2008

20 June 2008, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Just heard from CetaceaLab that they have seen the A36s travelling with the A24s and the A51s! All three were there.
Helena
20 Jun 2008 15:05:36 PDT

Saturday, March 22, 2008

22 March 2008, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Very windy and cold, not like spring at all at the moment except for a few brave flowers and robins. Our hummingbirds have yet to arrive. We even had snow that covered everything for the better part of a day. Good news from Jared Towers that Springer has been seen further north in the company of her kin!
Helena
22 Mar 2008 12:45:40 PST