Summary for November 7 2019 Biggs: T123s, Humpbacks: Claw, Slash, Bumpy, Squiggle, Backsplash Our new routine is to wake up with the sun (later these days) and guess what the day might bring? Be it, Northern Residents, humpbacks, transients, eagles, ravens or the myriad of sea birds; be it, breaches, tail slapping, wind, rain or sun …. this part of the day when we still remember our dreams, our “wishing time”, and today we wished together for a nice Bigg’s encounter. Lucas was already at what has become his favorite spot on the deck of the lab when he sighted a group of black orca fins in line with Compton Island, heading south, at 11:15 am. The group, composed of one adult male, 2 small ones and an even smaller one were soon identified as the T123 matrilline. They were milling between Compton Island and Parson Bay, passing very close to a couple of humpback whales, one of whom was “Slash”. The gigantic male orca, T123A, was milling on his own further north of the others and at 11:38 am when we heard some brief calls. After that, T123A came straight over excitedly to join the rest of the group breaching twice, followed by rolling and tail slapping. The hunt was on! T123, the mother, along with her entire group, T123A, T123C and young T123D, began focusing on a group of sea lions located near the Parson Island Light. By 11:46am, the clustered sea lions bravely growling and facing up to the T123s succeeded in discouraging the orcas who then moved on. The T123s then headed north and were between Harbledown Island and Swanson Island by 12:12pm. They cleared our view and carried on into Blackfish Sound by 12:17pm. This was clearly the highlight of our day. As well as “Slash”, the humpback “Claw” was there at the same time as the Bigg’s, feeding in line with Harbledown Island at 12:18pm and for the record, humpbacks “Squiggle”, “Backsplash” and “Bumpy” were back as well. After each and every full day of observations, recordings, and daily chores we greatly appreciate the time when we sit down together for the evening meal prepared by the skilled chefs on hand. On this night,Megan offered and prepared her family recipe for Bolognese! This was a delightful way to complete this rather special day. The rest of the night was uneventful but individually everyone was probably busy thinking about what might come on the morrow and perhaps what to wish for next!  OrcaLab 08 Nov 2019 22:36:55 PST We currently have two vocal Humpback whales. The first whales started singing on our local hydrophone and the second is singing in Robson Bight.  Megan  08 Nov 2019 20:57:38 PST Superb sounds!! As the A34s are travelling east in Johnstone Strait, probably clearing our hydrophones' range very soon, a humpback is singing in Blackfish Sound. Claire 08 Nov 2019 17:28:27 PST Distant calls audible. The A34's are back in town, HORRAY! We believe they have returned from the east. They are currently heading west towards Kaikash creek mid strait. We are hearing distant sporadic calls on our Cracroft Point hydrophone.  Megan and Claire 08 Nov 2019 15:20:47 PST Here we go again, humpbacks are feeding in Blackney Pass! Watch it on our base camera: https://explore.org/livecams/orcas/orcalab-base  Claire 08 Nov 2019 12:29:54 PST Watch humpback whales feeding in Blackney Pass! https://explore.org/livecams/orcas/orcalab-base Claire 08 Nov 2019 09:12:59 PST Summary for November 6 2019: Biggs, Humpbacks - Inukshuk, Claw, Slash With waters and weather being so lovely and calm these crisp autumn days most mornings at the Lab start with a beautiful sunrise, followed by coffee in the lab or on the deck whilst watching, either on the remote cameras or by direct observation, the humpbacks as they pursue herring and each other’s company throughout the area. This morning, as the sun began to rise higher in the sky, the solar array got a good boost, and we rejoiced in completing another 24 hours without having to run the generator. For November, this is fantastic news. Claire and Jérémie set off on a morning kayak to make the most of the lovely weather, while Lucas and Megan began to process the logs collected on last week’s super high tide into much needed wood for the cook stove and wood heaters. With winter approaching keeping on top of this is important. Soon afterwards, they received a radio transmission from Claire and Jérémie that they had spotted orcas by the Parson Island Light. Megan and Lucas quickly began a recording after hurrying back to the Lab, at 10:52am. Megan located the orcas on the Lab camera, a male and two small fins, just before their last dive. After this long dive off Harbledown Island they were never seen again. After an hour of constant scanning of the Pass the recording was stopped, and Megan and Lucas returned to their wood chopping duties. Claire and Jérémie returned soon after from their kayak trip during which they identified the humpbacks, Claw and Slash, near White Beach Pass. Both Claire and Jérémie have been so dedicated over the past few weeks to trying to identify as many humpbacks as possible that they have become really familiar with these frequenting giants. Lucas and Megan identified Inuksuk amongst the group of 6+ humpbacks feeding on the far side of Blackney near White Beach Pass between 9:00am and 14:00pm. As the light began to fade just before 6pm on another full day of human and whale activity alike the sounds of a humpback whale in Blackney Pass resounded over the speakers. This continued until dinnertime at 7pm. Jérémie offered a traditional French dish called “Tartiflette” which was followed by a delicious pumpkin pie made by Lucas. Pumpkin has become such a steady staple since Hallowe’en!  OrcaLab 08 Nov 2019 05:13:15 PST