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November 15 - 19 2021 Orcas: A42/94,A23,A25,G3,G16s,G20s,G17s (part),G31s, other G1s After receiving a report from Kate around 10am on the 15th regarding several different groups off Bere Point, Malcolm Island and then not much later after another report from Alex off Donegal Head area that there were several groups, a mix of matrilineal lines from A and G pods, including the A42s and G1s, we started getting very excited. They ended up choosing Weynton Pass that day and created a beautiful symphony of mixed calls which we were able to listen to on Kaizumi Rubbing Beach Hydrophone. These orcas clearly had a lot of catching up to do as they vocalized their socializing from 3:10pm until 11:36pm in the Johnstone Strait. We were grateful to be able to listen, and in the same moment wished for an appearance in Blackney Pass the next day. Tomoko hearing some faint A5 calls at 00:45am, and then again briefly at 01:30am gave us hope that perhaps this big group hadn't decided to go east quiet yet. With this hope we broke into the daytime with some clear G1 calls identified by Tomoko at 7:11am and by 7:18am the beautiful symphony of mixed calls of Gs and A5s continued from the previous day. Within minutes we heard these calls become evermore present and loud, and at 7:45am it seemed the A5 group gathered at Strider Rubbing Beach - could we hope for more? A rub? At 8:06am our question was answered as we heard the first sounds of a rub beginning. Chuffs, pebble sounds, excited calls from the A5s and in the distance G1s vocalizing. Big excitement seemed shared among the orcas as their calls continued between the rubbing loud as ever and exuberant in sound. The rub ended at 8:30am on the dot, as if they might have other adventures planned for the day, we were still hoping. The mixed calls continued through to 9:57am while traveling west “up” Johnstone Strait until we were finally able to get a visual of 5 fins at 10:05am on the Cracroft Point camera. They foraged along the Vancouver Island shoreline until 10:45am and swiftly shifted their direction as the tide changed at 11:00am. To our luck the mixed symphony began to sound clearer and closer on the Parson Island hydrophone by 11:05am. Within 5 minutes between 15 to 20 orcas rushed past Gab’s Rock, releasing blows one after the other. A true vision on this perfect sunny morning, as we witnessed what can only be described as powerful orcas moving in unison. By 11:23am we counted 15 fins off the “Wall” or “Graffiti” on Parson Island, G60 from the G17 matriline of G1 pod, and G73 from the G3 matriline, among them. At 11:25am we saw between 5 to 7 more fins come into Blackney Pass traveling swiftly north, the second group. Members of the G3 matriline line G51, G81, G108 travelled together and were seen at 11:37am opposite Compton. The orcas were bucking the tide. At 11:39am, as though this spectacular event had not provided enough magic already, out of nowhere G22, G104, G114 from the G3 matriline came mid-channel in a beautiful line. Truly a sight to see. Meanwhile, the mixed calls continued cheerfully. Opposite Parson`s Bay we identified G39 from the G16 matriline, as his unique dorsal made it easy to recognize. With so many orcas in Blackney Pass we could hardly keep up. Many little groups, all showing their spectacular dorsals shimmering in the winter sun. G32 and G86, members of the G3 matriline, were the tail end of the first big group moving out of Blackney Pass towards the north by 11:48am. The second group consisted of A5 pod members. At 11:49am we saw A43, A69, A109, and A60 from the A23 matriline at Grumpy Rock. A43 pioneered the group north as most hugged the far shoreline of Harbledown Island. The symphony of calls continued, still very sociable and mixed on the Flower Island Hydrophone. Following was the A25 Matriline, A121, A85, and A61, all accounted for as they swam past Parson Light at 11:51am. One by one everyone was shuffled out of Blackney Pass for Blackfish Sound,, leaving only A61, Surge with his massive dorsal fin to finish off this big winter surprise. By 11:58am, Blackney Pass reverted back to its state of frequent sea lions activity and soaring eagles. The symphony which had been building up to this point for us had finally reached its peak, and the mixed calls slowly started to trickle off in Blackfish Sound. The last calls were heard around 12:52pm. A report from Alex confirmed they were moving fast and pointed towards the Penfold Islands. Later that day around 5:00pm another report came in letting us know that all the orcas were spread out in a big resting line on the Mainland shore opposite Bere Point. They had experienced a full day of socializing,foraging and travelling and were ready to take a rest. So were we! On a last note, we did not see the A42s (with A94)) with the other A5 groups when they travelled north through Blackney Pass. They had definitely been seen on the 15th by Kate when off Malcolm Island. This left us wondering if they had continued east in Johnstone Strait. A couple of later reports from mid Vancouver Island seemed to confirm this. Leaving us to further wonder if all those other groups had come in just to see the A42s off on their journey to their favoured winter haunts? An amazing thing to contemplate. The G1s left the area on the 16th but the other A5s, the A23s and A25s, returned to Johnstone Strait on the 18th and disappeared on the 19th.
OrcaLab
23 Nov 2021 10:10:08 PST |
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