Superb sounds!!




The A36s are following the others into Blackney Pass. Unfortunately, there is a boat in the same area. Some of the whales have made it to Blackfish Sound but most are still in Blackney Pass. The tide is flooding and against their efforts for a while yet.

Helena

10 Aug 2011 23:21:46 PDT







Superb sounds!!



This parade has turned into Blackney Pass. A30s,A4s and A5s so far heading northward toward Blackfish Sound.

Helena

10 Aug 2011 22:49:12 PDT







Orcas near mics.



There are A4 calls now on the Cracroft hydrophone. The parade to the west is taking shape.

Helena

10 Aug 2011 22:21:14 PDT







Distant calls audible.



Moving west?

Helena

10 Aug 2011 21:36:58 PDT







Superb sounds!!



The whales are back in Robson Bight.

Helena

10 Aug 2011 20:55:26 PDT







No calls but orcas nearby



Now that yet another rub is over, all the groups have turned back to the west. Marie reports from Boat Bay that they are close to the Vancouver Island shoreline, approaching Robson Bight.

Helena

10 Aug 2011 20:42:54 PDT







Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.



After the turn this afternoon, the whales moved "down" toward the Reserve. They are now again off the Main rubbing beach having another go at the beach.

Helena

10 Aug 2011 19:44:53 PDT







Multiple pod calls audible.



Oh boy! This is great. When the A30s came into the Strait the A23s were there to meet them off the east end of Hanson Island. They went west together as other whales were coming west by that time. The A24s were over by Blinkhorn and they turned east just after 4:30pm. A12 and A46 moved in closer to CP from the east and spent some time foraging off the entrance to Blackney Pass. The two large humpbacks came in from Blackney Pass while A12 was there. Meanwhile the A35s were spread out but getting near to CP and the entranceway as well. A37 was just ahead of them. Right now the whales are coordinating themselves to the west of CP and they are very vocal as they do so. Great day - so normal! Just got word they are turning back east. A couple of the A35s are already past CP because they never got very far west.

Helena

10 Aug 2011 17:14:42 PDT







Multiple pod calls audible.



The A30s just passed through Blackney Pass. Sounds like the A23s came back up the Strait to meet up with them off the entrance to Blackney Pass. The A35s (the rubbers) have been confirmed now as being in the Strait. The A36s and a12 are there too. Nick and Stripe the humpbacks have toured Blackney once again and are headed back toward Johnstone Strait.

Helena

10 Aug 2011 16:01:28 PDT







Distant calls audible.



Definitely, A30 calls on the Flower Island hydrophone... woohoo!

Helena

10 Aug 2011 15:00:06 PDT







Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.



After this morning's marathon rub, another... how great is this!

Helena

10 Aug 2011 14:45:38 PDT







Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.



This A4 rub has been going on and on and on! Now we are hearing A1 calls at the Beaches as well. apparently A12 is mid strait off the Cliff and one of the A36 males is in the Bight. Did the A34s come in last night too?

Helena

10 Aug 2011 14:30:23 PDT







No calls but orcas nearby



Sorry for the confusing heading, as there are still lovely calls happening, but we've just heard that the A30s are off Bold Head, foraging, and may decide to head down Blackfish Sound before too long. Thought you should know!

Helena

10 Aug 2011 14:12:22 PDT







Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.



Hard to know who to give priority to... The T18s/19s just came through Blackney Pass. They are on their way to Johnstone Strait. Two humpbacks followed them (at a distance) from Blackfish Sound, after a scary interaction off Double Bay, and are now in Blackney Pass headed south. Meanwhile the residents (A4/5) are at the beaches. Never rains but pours!

Helena

10 Aug 2011 13:16:38 PDT







Distant calls audible.



We've started to hear distant calls on the Rubbing Beach hydrophone, so think at least some of the orcas we were listening to early this morning are headed back to the west. A report of 4-5 orcas headed west off Naka Creek confirms this.

Helena

10 Aug 2011 12:11:52 PDT







No orcas present.



We've heard no calls since around 5:30am, when the orcas who had been rubbing for hours disappeared off our hydrophones. We think they probably headed east, though we're not sure. We are waiting.

Helena

10 Aug 2011 09:01:42 PDT







Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.



We've been listening to A4s & A5s (A11s, A24s, A8s, A23s) on the rubbing beach hydrophone for more than 2 hours. Sounds like they've been having a grand old time!

Helena

10 Aug 2011 04:35:08 PDT







Superb sounds!!



Wonderful calls in Robson Bight, as the incoming orcas meet up with the others already there!

Helena

10 Aug 2011 01:36:02 PDT







Orcas near mics.



As the calls got louder on CP we were able to hear 3 or more blows as the whales moved east past the point, although we had to strain our ears due to the waves against the rocks. We were even able to see what appeared to be a male in the very dim moonlight casted off the cloud covered moon. Wow!

Leah and Bianca

10 Aug 2011 00:17:36 PDT







Orcas near mics.



They made it! On their way now toward the other groups.

Helena

10 Aug 2011 00:06:14 PDT