Springer (A73) spotted with A24s

Orcas near mics.

Interesting night: First of all the A36s actually made it to Johnstone Strait just before 1am. After which there was a fair amount of movement. Right now, the A30s and A24s (after being a short distance east for a while) are not far from Critical Point and Robson Bight. The A5s,however, have not come back from further east yet.
Helena
02 Aug 2009 05:33:30 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The groups are spread out: off the entrance of Blackney Pass;crossing from Vancouver Island to the entrance and close to Critical Point.
Helena
02 Aug 2009 08:22:17 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s with the A24s just passed through Blacknery Pass headed for blackfish Sound. The exciting news!!! is that Springer was with the A24s!!!! This was our first look at the A24s since they came down with the A34s and the A5s in July. When we saw the a24s when they first came in this season, Springer was not with them. This is a bit of a first!!!! We have not heard from the A36s/A12 for quite a while.
Helena
02 Aug 2009 09:32:50 PDT

Distant calls audible.

These are A4 calls (A24s) in Blackfish Sound while the A36s and A12 remain off of CP.
Helena
02 Aug 2009 13:28:26 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

To catch up: the A30s and the A24s (with A73) stayed at the top of Blackfish Sound for quite a while after travelling north through Blackney Pass. At 3pm, they travelled on through Weynton Pass and back into Johnstone Strait. Frome there they went east along the Vancouver Island shore and past Critical Point. They are now at the east end of the Reserve and beginning their rub. the A36s, meanwhile, have rremained basically off the CP area for most of the day but they have not been very vocal. A 12 has not been with them since about 11:30am. She was last seen heading eastward. The A5s yesterday went "down" Johnstone Strait in the afternoon to Nodales Channel. This morning at 6am they were out of nodales and near Chatham Point. From there they went west to Camp Point. At 10:47am, they turned sleepily east and began to head toward Amour de Cosmos/Bear Bight. (Nick Templeman report). No word on the morning incoming group from Goletas reported via the Mackays.
Helena
02 Aug 2009 18:00:33 PDT

Seasmoke reports
Leaving Weynton Passage, two orca pods, the A30’s and A24’s including A73 were sighted foraging off Bold Head. As passengers watched they slowly made their way across Blackfish Sound and then proceeded to pass through the ‘Blowhole’, a narrow waterway that separates Hanson Island from the Plumper Island group. The A30’s were in the lead this afternoon followed by the A24’s, passing through the Blowhole and then the small waterway that separates Little Weynton Island from Hanson Island, entering then into Johnstone Strait. Visually it was a powerfully rich and memorable experience for all onboard to witness. The A30’s navigated this same route in the afternoon on July 31.