No orcas present.

Last night we were very hopeful after more reports of orcas near Scarlett Point, Gordon Channel and a short while later, 7 miles from Numas Island. There was even a report of whales in Hardy Bay which sounded like possible transients. Donna Mackay kindly relayed the various sightings. So we were convinced and even laid bets for which time the orcas would be heard during the night's strong flooding tide. Sadly, we had a peaceful and uninterrupted sleep and woke this morning to the sound of fish finders and motors. Dave Towers relayed a report he heard that there is a large Chinook run going down the west side of Vancouver Island. If that is the case, the orcas might just follow it and give us (the Johnstone Strait area) a pass. Of course, we hope that will not happen. Stay tuned.
Helena
11 Aug 2010 08:07:37 PDT

No orcas present.

The last report we had was that the A23s were just east of Kelsey Bay (they are making progress west) at 12:45pm. Then at 5:40pm we thought (or imagined very faint calls. Nothing developed so we were not confident about this being real. A good sized westerly stirring "out there". The gill-netters will continue to fish until tomorrow.
Helena
11 Aug 2010 20:47:28 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

Whew! Pretty sure that was real even if it was brief (so far). We think there was echo location in the Robson Bight area. Lots of boat noise and wave action from the heavy northwet wind. Stay tuned.
Helena
11 Aug 2010 21:44:04 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Finally! Distant A5 calls in Johnstone Strait means that the A23s have indeed made it to the western part of the Strait and that the earlier echo location and distant calls marked the beginning of their return. Nice even despite the constant boat noise.
Helena
11 Aug 2010 22:54:28 PDT