October 31 - November 11 2021 Orcas: A34s, T55s Traditionally, no one has ever braved knocking on our Hanson Island doors during HalloweÕen. The sea lions, however, continued to offer loud growls through the dark which definitely added to the atmosphere as did the amazing humpback calls in Blackfish Sound. Then there was the unexpected, the A34s came back out of the east! No trick, just treat! We first heard them at 7:18pm, and then the course of our night was set. We had heard from Jackie Hildering that she and Christie came upon the A34s in the lower part of Johnstone Strait off Windy Point earlier in the day. They were also able to clear up who was mum to the young baby we had seen earlier. It was eleven year old Rainy (A96), SimoomÕs youngest. We were hoping against hope that it was Misty, A62, as she was missing when Jared had been out with the A34s earlier. It now looks like Misty must really be missing. Jackie also saw the humpbacks Guardian, Twister and Kailash appropriately enough in Humpback Bay. Jigger was near Kelsey Bay. This certainly confirmed that the humpbacks were definitely shifting away from the Blackfish Sound/Blackney Pass area. We only heard of JackieÕs encounter well after we first heard the A34s coming back and were thrilled that we had guessed correctly that they had gone eastward days before. We didn't hear much from the A34s through the rest of the night but humpbacks peppered the night with their calls. By 7:40am, the A34s had made it all the way to Blackfish Sound. Faint calls were heard as they crossed along the western edge of Blackfish Sound. Alex spotted them from Malcolm Island when they were half way along to Bold Head on Swanson Island. By then we were discussing with Alex the large plume of smoke coming from Vancouver Island. It rose and rose and was caught in the fiery red hues of the dawn. It made the black smoke from the slash burning look even angrier. Perhaps it was us who were angry? The irony was not missed - it was the first day of COP26. By 10:56am the A34 calls had become mid range then stopped. The A34s apparently had chosen to return via Weynton Pass to Johnstone Strait. There, they ventured east for a while but by 4:54pm they backed around in the direction of Telegraph Cove where Jim and Mary saw them mid strait. They stayed in the area bordering Telegraph Cove and Weynton Passage over the next while. But by 9:48pm, they were off the entrance to Blackney Pass and by 10:18pm it seemed as if they were still continuing east. By 11:08pm there were only faint calls. Dolphins chatted as well but the humpbacks were quiet until early the next morning. On the morning of November 2, from 5:30am to 7:13am we again heard the distant A34s. A gap followed during which the A34s managed to move back west, through Weynton Pass and back to Blackfish Sound. After a while, they decided they would use Blackney Pass to reach Johnstone Strait. From 1:50pm till 2:32pm they were very spread out while negotiating the Pass. A raging southeaster and its huge waves made watching a challenge. Mattis braved the elements. Only a few of the A34s were actually seen. Once they got to the Strait they left no trace. Calls stopped. It was impossible to know which direction they had chosen. This was our last encounter. There were big changes for life on Hanson Island after the departure of the A34s. Sightings of humpbacks became rarer. The familiars, those who had frequented Blackney Pass all season long, had seemingly departed. Other passerbys, like Clovis and Ashes made fleeting appearances grabbing a last meal before heading off too. Quin and Emily had already left Hanson Island and now it was Paul and HelenaÕs time to return to Alert Bay. Megan was scheduled to go as well but she had several tasks at hand to complete and the weather for all the chores was so unsettled that planning was made more difficult. A couple of attempts to put an underwater camera at the Sea Lion rock failed but the efforts to make the roof at Cracroft Point more secure against the winter storms was pulled off more successfully. Megan and Mattis, given the beautiful day on Saturday, November 6, completed the job. Mattis then brought Megan into town. Mattis, himself, had a quick trip to Victoria leaving SaraLynn at the Lab. Fortunately, Lisa (who is now caretaking Double Bay) was able to join her for a couple of days. Lisa and SaraLynn had the very high tides, a major storm and the sudden appearance of the T55s to contend with. The T55s arrived around 8:25am November 9, the morning after the storm. Blackney Pass was fairly calm and this group was very focused on their hunt. Lisa stood outside and took pictures while SaraLynn managed the video and audio recording as during the hunt the BiggÕs were vocal. They hunted mid channel until finally disappearing around Burnt Point. Megan, Paul and Helena were happy to be watching on https://explore.org/livecams/orcas/orcalab-base while in Alert Bay. One glance at the sea lions showed that they too were watching, perhaps more concerned than relaxed. Lisa, along with several good id shots managed to take a few pictures of the very small baby T55B1. The T55s returned on the morning of November 11 when Mattis was back. During this latest encounter Blackney Pass was sunny but covered in whitecaps, the remnant of yet another storm that had arrived shortly after Mattis returned to Hanson Island. The reality of winter for life on Hanson Island is a challenge for sure but not all days are dark and stormy. The sun does shine even in winter and the ever changing scene helps to deepen appreciation of this small corner of our precious world. Today is the last day of COP26.  OrcaLab 12 Nov 2021 20:27:58 PST