Stubbs Island Sightings

Photo Credit Zoe Schroeder

Despite some strong SE wind we had a great trip this morning .  Lots of very social orca were quite active in the waves and our guests got to see spy hops, belly rolls and tail slaps and even breaches!  There were also 4 humpbacks sighted on this trip – “Stripe”, “Crescent” and 2 others that we were unable to identify.  Active Dall’s porpoise around the boat and approximately 300 Stellar sea lions hauled out on the rocks rounded out this trip.

Photo Credit: Zoe Schroeder

This afternoon was among the days with the largest number of orca in the area at one time this season!  Over 70 orca! Groups in the area included the following; G3′s, A34′s, A30′s, A23′s, I11′s, I31′s and A36′s.  There were some great vocals as the orca entered the Strait.  Some passengers were actually brought to tears by the experience.  Also sighted this afternoon were 4 humpbacks – “Guardian”, and 3 others that were unidentified.  In addition, there were harbour seals, Pacific white-sided dolphins, rhinoceros auklets, bald eagles, Northern phalaropes, pelagic cormorants and a belted kingfisher spotted today.  We can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring!

Captain Wayne’s Quote of the Day: “Opposition may inflame the enthusiast, but never converts him.” – Friedrich Von Schiller

Next Available Tours:

Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.

Friday, September 23, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Captain Wayne

From The Wheelhouse:

Today was wonderful from start to finish.  This morning there were some isolated fog patches but that didn’t stop us from finding fish eating orca.  We were able to identify the A36′s and A12.  The were doing some traveling and foraging in the strait.  We then encountered 2 humpback whales and identified them as ‘Conger’ and ‘Stripe’ while getting some great tail fluke photos!  We then went to see the Steller sea lions.  There were about 240 hauled out on the rocks and another 60+ swimming in the kelp, what a sight!

Photo Credit: Captain Wayne

This afternoon it was totally clear down the strait and we were very happy to find up to 14 Humpback whales feeding in a small area.  We watched as they lunge fed which is quite an amazing site to see!  We were even lucky enough to see 3 breaches!  Captain Wayne tells us that in his 15 years of experience in these waters he has never had this many Humpback whales working such a small area crisscrossing time and time again.

Photo Credit: Captain Wayne

The birds today were great once again.  There were 100′s of Common murres and Sooty shearwaters.  60-80 Northern Phalaropes, 6 Bald eagles,  and 6 Rhinoceros auklets.   September just keeps reminding us what an awesome month it can be!

Captain Waynes Quote of the Day:

‘I am old enough to tell the truth, it is the privilege of age.’ – George Clemencean

Next Available Tours:

Tuesday, September 20 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 21 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 22 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

From the Wheelhouse:

It was another great September day out on the water.  We managed to not get too wet while going in search of marine wildlife.  On both the morning and afternoon trips today we saw resident orca and identified the A30′s, A11′s, A36′s, and A12.  We watched as they foraged and traveled down the strait.  We put the hydrophone in the water and got to hear some wonderful vocalizations and echo location!

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

It is such an amazing sight to see the 150+ Steller sea lions out on the rocks and to hear them ‘growling’.

This time of year sure brings out a lot bird activity with 8 soaring bald eagles, 100′s of sooty shearwaters and common murres, a few pelagic cormorants and Northern cormorants.  On this mornings trip we had an ornithologist on board who was happy to see all the bird activity and spotted a longtail jaeger, black legged kittiwake, 2 ancient murrelets and 2 sabine gulls!

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

Also on both trips today we were happy to see 8 humpback whales.  We managed to identify ‘Conger’, ‘Freckles’, and ‘Domino’.

Captain Wayne’s Quote of the Day:

“When we lose the right to be different we lose the right to be free.” – Charles E. Hughes

Next Available Tours:

Monday, September 19 at 9:0 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 20 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 21 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Geoff Dunstan

From the Wheelhouse:

Today was fantastic from start to finish! It was a little foggy as we departed Telegraph Cove this morning, but when we broke through the fog bank we encountered over 400 Pacific white-sided dolphins! These dolphins, who seem to make guests light up every time we see them, were quite active and traveling rather quickly.

Photo Credit: Geoff Dunstan

Shortly after leaving the dolphins we encountered 8 transient (marine mammal eating) orca, which might explain why the dolphins were moving so quickly! Guests were in awe as one of these huge killer whales breached straight out of the water! We were happy to watch as they traveled and slapped their tails. We then finished up the morning with a humpback whale, and 150 Steller sea lions hauled out on a rock.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

This afternoon we started out with 25 resident (fish eating) orca! We were able to identify them as eleven of the A30′s, nine of the A34′s and five of the A23′s. These whales were traveling and foraging, and also gave guests a chance to listen to some great vocals when we put our hydrophone into the water. After we viewed the orca for a while we carried on, and much to our delight, came across 10 different humpback whales! We were able to identify “Ripple” and her calf, as well as “Slash” (a.k.a. ‘Humpless’). The humpbacks were spending a lot of time on the surface, as well as diving.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

Then we observed a group of about 150 Steller sea lions who were hauled out on some rocks, as well as swimming in the kelp beds. Once we turned off our engines so that we could watch these massive creatures for a while, a few became quite curious and even swam up close to the boat to have a look at our guests! On our way back to Telegraph Cove we encountered a group of 300 Pacific white sided dolphins right outside the mouth of the cove, and spent some time enjoying them before we headed back to the dock.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

Today we also viewed: 8 Dall’s porpoise, 30 harbour seals, 4 rhinoceros auklets, 100′s of sooty shearwaters, 100′s of common murres, 8 Bald eagles, 2 belted kingfishers, 20 Northern phalaropes and 4 pelagic cormorants. I think it’s safe to say that it was a very nice day out on the water!

Photo Credit: Geoff Dunstan

Captain Wayne’s Quote of the Day: “There are only two kinds of people who fail: those who listen to nobody, and those who listen to everybody.” – Thomas M. Beshare Jr.

Next Available Tour:

Sunday, September 18 @ 9:00 am & 1:00 pm

Monday, September 19 @ 9:00 am & 1:00 pm

Tuesday, September 20 @ 9:00 am & 1:00 pm

Photo Credit: Geoff Dunstan

From the Wheelhouse:

It was a great September morning for going in search for wildlife in the area.  Not far from Telegraph Cove a German guest on board spotted a mother black bear with a cub on the beach, this is a rare sighting for us as our main objective is to go searching for marine mammals.

Photo Credit: Geoff Dunstan

With good weather we then headed out looking for whales.  We were happy when we found 16 orca and identified them as the A30′s and the A23′s.  We watched as they were fairly active with some pectoral slaps, tail slaps, belly rolls, and got to listen to some great vocalizations!

After a good time with these orca we then saw and smelled about 120 Steller sea lions.  This afternoon the orca from this morning were in the Robson Bight Ecological reserve where boats are not allowed to enter.  This area is protected for the orca to do the famous rubbing on the beaches without any boat traffic around.  When the orca were done with their ‘rub’ on the beach they exited the reserve which gave our guests aboard a great chance for sightings and pictures!  We managed to have a good look at these wonderful mammals and watched as they socialized showing us some belly rolls, tail slaps and head stands.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

Captain Wayne’s Quote of the Day:

“In youth we run into difficulties, in old age difficulties run into us.”  Josh Billings

Next Available Tours:

Saturday, September 17 at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, September 18 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Monday, September 19 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

From the Wheelhouse:

This morning we were just minutes outside of Telegraph Cove when we encountered twelve resident orca! Guests were able to watch as these magnificent animals were spread out and foraging.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

As we were watching the orca (which we were able to identify as the two A36 brothers, A12, and nine of the A24′s) they turned and headed North, which led us to where over 100 Steller sea lions were hauled out on a rock! What a sight! It looked like there was smoke, as the steam rolled off of the large group of sea lions.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

After viewing the Steller sea lions, we then saw 6 different humpback whales! Guests were thrilled to watch these massive whales as they were lunge feeding, and one even breached straight out of the water! It was another magical and misty morning!

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

This afternoon we had to travel a little bit longer than this morning’s tour before we encountered the orca, who were 30 minutes from the dock. We were able to identify the group as eleven whales from the A30 matriline. These whales were spread out foraging, taking long dives, and not vocalizing very much, as they traveled West towards Telegraph Cove.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

After viewing the orca for a while we then found 2 humpback whales who were lunge feeding. A group of 80 plus Steller sea lions, with over 20 crowded onto a rock pinnacle and the rest swimming in the water, amused everyone aboard the boat! 20 harbour seals and 8-10 Dall’s porpoise rounded out a great trip! We also viewed many different birds today including: rhinoceros auklets, sooty shearwaters, common murres, Bald eagles, belted kingfishers, Northern phalaropes and pelagic cormorants. What a day!

Captain Wayne’s Quote of the Day: “A friend is easier to lose than to find.” – Anon.

Next Available Tour:

Friday, September 16 @ 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 17 @ 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, September 18 @ 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Photo Credit - Roger McDonell

Photo Credit - Roger McDonell

Photo Credit - Roger McDonell

Photo Credit - Roger McDonell

Humpback whales and Dall’s porpoises stole the show today. The morning trip started with two Humpback whales across from Telegraph Cove. After a quick look at these two identified as “Domino” and “Butterfly”, we headed back across Johnstone Strait to where the A36′s and A12 Orcas were foraging for salmon. Their meal was interrupted by some speedy Dall’s porpoises that were darting around the whales like flies around around a picnic. After a good look at this dance between orcas and porpoises, the guests on board saw a huge splash across the Strait as a humpback breached.  We headed in that direction and saw several more breaches. This time it was two different Humpback whales, one that was identified as “K.C.” (aka Kelp Creature). We saw over ten breaches during the next 30 minutes. How exhausting for us and the whale!
After all that excitement of whales and porpoises, Captain Wayne found between 70 to 80 Stellar sea lions with over 60 hauled out on a rock near the Plumper Islands.

Photo Credit - Roger McDonell

The afternoon trip headed out of the Cove and came across a small group of Pacific White-sided dolphins before we found the same Orcas from the morning as they continued to forage for salmon in Blackney Pass.Again the Dall’s porpoises made a hurried appearance and the Orca were swarmed as they tried to feed. Later we headed up into Blackfish Sound where we found up to ten Humpback whales lunge feeding and trumpeting. What a racket with the whales, murres, auklets, and 100′s of Sooty shearwaters. What a sight as these massive marine mammals surfaced through large bait balls of small fish.

Captain Wayne’s Quote of the Day: “Humility is a strange thing, the minute you think you have got it, you’ve lost it.” – E.D. Huse

Next Available Tour:

Thursday, September 15 @ 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Friday, September 16 @ 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 17 @9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

From the Wheelhouse:

Both of today’s trips were quite exciting! There were 18 resident orca in the area, identified as ten whales from the A30′s, the two A36 brothers who were traveling with A12, and five whales from the A23 matriline. On both trips the whales were spread out across Johnstone Strait foraging, and we even managed to get a picture of a young orca with a salmon in it’s mouth! Guests were quite pleased to observe some tail slapping, spy hopping and porpoising. We even had the opportunity to listen to some great vocals via our underwater microphone.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

Today we encountered a total of TEN different humpback in the area! This morning there were 4-6 humpbacks sighted, unfortunately we were only able to identify ‘Ripple’ and her calf, and guests were able to watch as the whales were lunge feeding. An unidentified humpback even breached straight out of the water over 10 times, which thrilled everyone aboard!! This afternoon we had great humpback activity as well! ‘Ripple’ and her calf were with many different whales in the Knights Inlet area lunge feeding, much to the delight of our guests. We also encountered 2 more unidentified humpback whales just off of Stubbs Island.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

Both trips viewed a large group of Steller sea lions, estimated at about 50 animals. Some were hauled up on the rocks, while others swam around in the kelp beds. There were lots of birds in the area today, such as: 50 rhinoceros auklets, 40 sooty shearwaters, 50 common murres, 4 Bald eagles, 2 belted kingfishers, 8 surf scoters, 20 white-winged scoters, 40 Northern phalaropes and 2 Pelagic cormorants. A small group of Dall’s porpoise were also sighted! Just another day in paradise!

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

Captain Wayne’s Quote of the Day: “Curiosity is ill manners in another’s house.” – Thomas Fuller

Next Available Tour:

Wednesday, September 14 @ 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 15 @ 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Friday, September 16 @ 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

From the Wheelhouse:

This morning started out with some fog but quickly burned off leaving the sun shining which always brings smiles to everyone’s faces.  This morning we encountered the A36 boys and A12, the A30′s, and the A23′s.  These fish eating orca totaled 18 in the area today!  We watched as they foraged down the strait and listened to some great vocalizations!

Photo Credit: Roger McDonell

Along with the orca this morning we also saw an active group of Pacific white sided dolphins who usually ride the wake of the boat.  Then everyone on board were happy to see a group of 8 Steller sea lions swimming near some rocks that they are usually hauled out on.

Photo Credit: Captain Wayne

This afternoon with the sun shining we again saw the same orca as this morning along with 8 humpback whales out in the water near Telegraph Cove!

While watching we were amazed to witness 2 of these magnificent humpback whale breach fully out of the water at the same time twice!  They continued to be very active with lots of pectoral slaps and tail lobs!  With people from all over the world it is great to hear them say that this is one of the best places to come see wildlife.

Captain Wayne’s Quote of the Day:

“The world of reality has its bounds, the world of imagination is boundless” – Rousseau

Next Available Trips:

Tuesday, September 13 at 9:0 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 14 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 15 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Captain Wayne

From The Wheelhouse:

With thick fog this morning we headed out with a report of fish eating orca in the area.  It wasn’t long before we spotted the A30′s, which is a family of 10 orca.  We watched as they foraged in the tidal rips.  We were happy to listen on the hydrophone and hear some great echo location and a few calls.  There were also about 20 Pacific white sided dolphins quite close to the orca which helped make this trip wonderful for all on board.

Photo Credit: Captain Wayne

This afternoon we again spotted the A30′s, and also the A36′s, and A12 even thought the fog still hadn’t lifted.  We listened to some more great vocalizations and echo location!  This weather never deters our wonderful and knowledgable Captain, Wayne Garton.

We were able to get some great photos of Bald Eagles, and some harbour seals hauled out on the rocks.  Later in the afternoon the fog did lift and the sun shone brightly.  The photo’s taken today really do seem magical with the marine mammals and beautiful scenery amongst the swirls of fog and mist.

Photo Credit: Captain Wayne

Captain Wayne’s Quote of the Day:

“He that makes an ass of himself must not take it ill if men ride him.” – Thomas Fuller

Next Available Tours:

Tuesday, September 13 at 9:00 am & 1:00 pm

Wednesday, September 14 at 9:00 am & 1:00 pm

Thursday, September 15 at 9:00 am & 1:00 pm