Superb sounds!!




Too bad about the boat noise. We think that at least the A30s,A35s went through. We are hearing more blows coming along and these might be the A36s/A12. The A24 were pretty close to Critical Point. We are still working on locating the A5s.

Helena

20 Aug 2011 21:40:41 PDT







Multiple pod calls audible.



All the whales are rushing through to the north. We can see them - sort of- in the evening gloom. A30, A4 and A5 calls in Blackney Pass.

Helena

20 Aug 2011 21:14:47 PDT







Orcas near mics.



Getting interesting again: We can hear loud A30s off the entrance to Blackney Pass and close A24s nearing Robson Bight. In between there are A5 calls. Whales are very spread out.

Helena

20 Aug 2011 20:53:04 PDT







Distant calls audible.



The A30s and A5s have re-entered Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. On coming in they would be aware of the A36s/A12 and the A24s who headed that direction between 5:30pm and 6pm.

Helena

20 Aug 2011 19:01:24 PDT







Orcas near mics.



Suddenly (and it can happen like this) all the groups gathered off CP and the entrance to Blackney Pass and headed north. Only the A36s/A12 and the A24s remain in johnstone Strait. One of the A30 males led the way in followed by the A35s, the A11 small group (perhaps still with A28) and the rest of the A30s and finally, the A5s. Springer was on her own (sort of) in between two mother/baby pairs in the front groupings. terrible heat wave made it difficult to see physical details but Springer has such a nice saddle patch.

Helena

20 Aug 2011 16:34:10 PDT







Distant calls audible.



So here it is: The A35s with A73 passed CP at 12:41pm and headed over to Hanson Island. A11 with A28 (close friends again this summer) were next to pass and they were followed by A56 and her little one. Just shy of Big Bay on Hanson Island A28 and A11 angled toward the other side in line with Bauza Cove. Everyone headed west, some on the Hanson side while some followed A11/28's lead. The rest of the A8s are by Kaikash Creek. The A30s (remember them?) have been off Telegraph Cove and may have turned east. ALSO, the missing pieces to the morning puzzle have fallen into place: the A23s along with the A36s and A12 passed under the Cliff just before 1;48pm and the a24s are probably near Boat Bay right now headed west. The I15s are still in Queen Charlotte Strait. The Lab (Tomoko) believe the whales may have started the turn at 2pm. We hear loud A4/5 calls off the entrance to Blackney Pass.

Helena

20 Aug 2011 14:08:32 PDT







Distant calls audible.



If anyone wondering why there were A5 calls here is what is happening . A11,A56 and her little one passed under the Cliff with A28 headed west a short while ago and on the other side the rest of a28's A5 group, the A8s were approaching Critical Point and Robson Bight, also headed west. From last night's big get together only the A36s/A12, the A23s and the a24s are not accounted for. There are whales heading west from the Broken islands (east of the Reserve) and we still have whales in Queen Charlotte strait. Stay tuned while we figure this all out!

Helena

20 Aug 2011 12:28:52 PDT







Distant calls audible.



The A35s and A73 (Springer) went past the Cliff at 11:30am. This was the same time we were watching a black bear swimm across Blackney Pass to Hanson Island! Very impressed. Early this morning we believe the I15s went back into the Strait with the others and even east for a bit before turning west and leaving via Weynton Pass. We heard them distantly in Blackfish Sound after 6am presumably as they crossed to QWueen Charlotte Strait. Lots of movement. Lots of whales!

Helena

20 Aug 2011 11:56:27 PDT







Multiple pod calls audible.



We're hearing calls from the A30s at the eastern end of the Ecological Reserve. Marie on the Cliff reports that many orcas are heading west quickly. Meanwhile, G clan calls are being heard in Queen Charloote Strait, near the Holfords (north of Blackfish Sound).

Helena

20 Aug 2011 11:52:29 PDT







Multiple pod calls audible.



We're hearing calls from the A30s at the eastern end of the Ecological Reserve. Marie on the Cliff reports that many orcas are heading west quickly. Meanwhile, G clan calls are being heard in Queen Charloote Strait, near the Holfords (north of Blackfish Sound).

Helena

20 Aug 2011 10:00:52 PDT







Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.



Some of the orcas are still rubbing!

Helena

20 Aug 2011 05:33:41 PDT







Orcas near mics.



The whales eventually did manage to get to Johnstone Strait. They headed east. Right now, they (at least the A30s and one of the A5 groups) are back near Robson Bight.

Helena

20 Aug 2011 05:05:45 PDT







Orcas near mics.



Looks like all the groups are going back through to the south. At this point it does not seem like anyone moved on to the west. There are still a few faint calls on Flower Island (Blackfish Sound).

Helena

20 Aug 2011 00:53:30 PDT







Orcas near mics.



Interesting - like the tide turning the wave of orca has rolled back to Blackney Pass so that again we are hearing A4,I15 and A5 calls in Blackney Pass. The A30s, other A4 and the A36s are still in Blackfish Sound.

Helena

20 Aug 2011 00:37:14 PDT