Wednesday, August 31, 2022





Distant calls audible.

August 30 2022 Orcas: A50s, A54s, A23s, I4s, I27s, I65s, Biggs (heard) Humpbacks: Stitch, Quartz We’ll dive right in where we left off: A30s and A23s in Johnstone Strait. They remained here for the majority of the night and early hours of the morning, audibly every so often faintly towards the eastern end. At 6:30am, as the sun was coming up for what proved to be a spectacularly sunny day, we heard calls that we hadn’t had for a while: The I15s! The difference between A and G clan is really quite stark, and all who were listening could easily tell them apart. The I4s, I27s and I65s had returned, likely taking Weynton Passage and slipping into the Strait to join the other groups. By 8am, Megan and Shari at Cracroft Point could see distant blows and orcas heading east. The ‘A whales’ to the east began to peel back to join these new groups, and some of the A30s came in for a brief rub at 8:18am before continuing west. One more whale would rub at 9:39am, before continuing west after the others. The I15s, meanwhile, had made it to Robson Bight, and we heard their faint calls echoing around. What’s interesting here is the shift in the dynamic between the A23s and the rest of the groups. They have been fairly glued to the A54s over the past week, but today they remained largely solitary and silent. As the others met up in the Ecological Reserve, they tracked west in Johnstone Strait. We could see A60’s large fin passing Cracroft Point around 10:56am, while the rest stayed closer to Vancouver Island. They passed Telegraph Cove and into Weynton Passage, before stalling at Bold Head for most of the afternoon. Back in the Strait, The A30s and I15 groups were getting organised. The A50s and I27s were visible from the cliff at 10:10am, slowly easting for a while. All eventually turned and made a move back to the west, passing the Sophia’s shortly before midday. As they tracked west, we saw lots of breaches and tailslaps and beautiful spyhops, as they made their way to Blackney Pass. Some of the I15s passed very close to Cracroft Point, and we heard their beautiful ‘squawky’ calls very clearly! They were eager for Blackney and made haste. The A54s were first, entering our view at 1:08pm. They were fairly spread out, but the mom & baby pairs of A54s and A86s were clearly visible. The I15 groups were next - mixed up and spread out with some of the A54s. I122 and I107 were seen together, as I76 travelled largely alone. The A50s brought the end of the parade, alongside I27 and her son I77. They were in quite a tight group and passed close to the lab. They were out of our sight and into Blackfish Sound by 2pm, where they stayed for the remainder of the afternoon. A smattering of reports told us that all groups were fairly spread out for a few hours, not travelling too far, as the A23s continued to forage off Bold Head, before they eventually passed back through Weynton Passage and into the Strait. Just as they had passed us to the North, the A30 and I15 groups prepared to travel back south in a very similar pattern, visible once again in our view at 6:30pm. The A54s lead the procession, mixed with some of the I15s. I107 and I122 were together again, and the A50s with I27 and I77 followed last, close to the lab! How interesting, all of these social dynamics. It was a beautiful passing in the glowing sunset light. Just as we were feeling confident as to the orcas’ movements, we received a report from the wardens at Boat Bay of a group of 6-7 orcas heading west at Swaine Point! Hmm. Bigg’s? We hoped that clarity would come sooner rather than later… The A30s and I15 groups passed Cracroft Point and into the Strait, all heading east. The A54s crossed to the Vancouver Island side for a brief swim-by rub at Kaizumi around 8pm. Just one mother and baby were seen. All tracked east in a few separate groups, as the A23s slowly followed - keeping their distance - visible off Telegraph Cove at 8:45pm. A forage in Robson Bight was in order, with mixed A30s and I15s audible on our Critical Point hydrophone around 9pm. They slowly headed east, A30s sounding a little more offshore, as some of the I15s headed for a brief rub on Main beach at 10:09pm. At one point, we heard the I15s rubbing, A30s offshore and Bigg’s calls in the distance! A-ha! The group off Swaine Point must have been Bigg’s afterall, now westing up Johnstone Strait. Phew, mystery solved. All Northern Residents moved to the east, the A30 and I15 calls audible and mixed off the eastern beaches as the day drew to a close. The A23s remained silent, and midnight arrived with a fantastic bout of Bigg’s calls close on Kaizumi. The two ecotypes had mirrored each others’ movements: Northern Residents easting closer to the Vancouver Island shore, while the Bigg’s wested along Cracroft, crossing to Kaizumi only when the coast was clear. The lives of these whales never cease to intrigue us! 
Suzie, OL
31 Aug 2022 14:10:24 PDT
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Monday, August 29, 2022





August 29 2022 Orcas:A50s, A54s,A23s , T109s(?) Humpbacks: Black Pearl & Kraken, Stitch, Squiggle, Quartz, possibly Hunter Pacific White-sided dolphins, Dallas Porpoise Sea Lions hauled out Waking out to the Lab in the evening greeted by the low growls of the Sea Lions hauled out on the rocks by Parson Island Light. A strangely comforting sound, the sound of the Fall and Winter to come. Every year for over the past two decades Sea Lions have decided to make a winter haul out on rocks nearby. In recent years sea lions returning from their summer rookery further north have chosen as their first landing spot the rocks by the Light. Later they will move to the rocks just south of the Lab on Hanson Island where there is more capacity. Today there were about a dozen by the Light, quite crowded already. These rocks also become swamped at high tide. When this happens the sea lions abandon their place and return to the water to feed. As the water level recedes they clammer up and claim a position once again. Very often they do this before the rocks are fully exposed, leaving them Buddha like half in, half out. Though it means nights are never quiet their presence is reassuring that ocean life in this area at least is resilient and healthy. In a sense the sea lions have become our Òwall paperÓ - always there in the background. Midnight was greeted by ongoing distant echolocation and a few calls in Blackfish Sound. Two different things were at play. The whales the previous evening had gone through to Blackfish Sound and left us wondering what they would do next. In the end they did a combination of possibilities. They split up with the A54s and A23s returning to Johnstone Strait and going east from Cracroft Point from 1:04am on, and the A50s remaining in Blackfish Sound before leaving to the west. The A50s were lost to us but the others (at least the A54s) kept us informed as to their progress. KamÕs attention was briefly drawn to the almost singing humpback in Blackfish Sound just before 1am. The ÒsongÓ lasted only two minutes. It took the A54s (and presumably the A23s) until 3:30am to be broadside of Robson Bight. A short while later they were approaching the Strider area. The A23s were very quiet partners in these movements, perhaps hiding behind some of the generic resting calls. The rub at 4:39am had some lovely ÒchuffsÓ as the whales hit the pebbles but it entailed few clues about who was participating. It was a decent 6 minute rub. The orcas left the beaches behind and continued east beyond the boundary of the Ecological Reserve. They stayed out of range until mid afternoon. Meanwhile, Donna Mackay relayed a report at 8:52am from the pilot boat that a large group of orcas was at Duval Point heading west. As far as we know no one identified these whales. We also learned that a group of five orcas passed to the east of Bere Point at 1:15pm. Troy later identified them as the T109s. Our morning had also been preoccupied by saying good-bye to PaulÕs granddaughter Hannah and her two children, Indi and Zephyr after an almost week long visit. The weather (the pending southeaster had not yet materialised) was pretty good and they got to Alert Bay in time to take a refreshing bath & wash clothes before beginning their next adventure on Cortez Island with friends. In the afternoon, with calls registering on Main beach hydrophone at first we soon located the distant westbound orcas on the remote Strider cam. The southeaster was really kicking up here and the whales were difficult to spot. But then they came into Strider beach for a rub at 2:28pm. Not everyone came in. Whales could be seen travelling west offshore. The rub ended at 2:39pm with the whales that had been involved moving away to the west. The A23s were not as shy about vocalising as they had been in the night. As they neared Robson Bight before 3pm they were quite chatty. Coincidently, this is when we learned that the A50s were off the Egeria Shoals (offshore of the western end of Swanson Island) in Blackfish Sound. Where had they come from? Were they involved with the mysterious group off Duval Point or had they been on their own somewhere in Queen Charlotte Strait throughout the night? The Cliff at 3:24pm told us that the whales in Johnstone Strait had found some time to forage deep in Robson Bight near the Tsitika River Estuary. The A50s were likewise located around this time north of Donegal Head. Over the next couple of hours the A23s and A54s managed to pass by Kaizumi Beach and keep going west while quite spread out from offshore of Vancouver Island to the middle of the Strait. Eventually they shifted closer to Cracroft Point where they were pulled into the rip west of Cracroft Point. One more adjustment brought them further into the entrance to Blackney Pass around 5:30pm. By this time the A50s had decided to head toward Weynton Pass via the blow-hole perhaps in a bid to avoid the effects of any strong currents in the main channel even though they still had the current in their favour for a while longer. The A23s and A54s were not as fortunate in their decision. They came into Blackney against the last of the flooding tide. Perhaps it had already begun to subside but whatever the case they did not seem daunted and moved fairly efficiently through to Blackfish Sound. The scattered A54s were first followed by the A23s who maintained the semblance of family cohesion mid channel. By 6:15pm they had all cleared from our view. The current was due to change at 6:35pm. From the time they entered Blackfish Sound the A23s and A54s foraged, milled, and changed direction. They did not go far. By 7:48pm they were back in our view, and yes, going against the current once again. This time it did slow them down but the calls of the A50s, now fully in Johnstone Strait, must have urged them onwards. The effect of the sunset on the clouds and water was very pleasing as was the warm southeast breeze as the A23s and A54s departed our view at 8:27pm. We heard a few calls up to 8:47pm. Afterwards there was a break until 9:32pm when very distant calls were heard once more. By 10pm the calls had grown louder as the whales, still bucking the tide, began to approach the area off Strider and Main beaches in the Ecological Reserve. Makes one wonder what they will do when the tide turns to flood around 1am - where will they be by then? Before the day was done there were hints that something else was perhaps about to unfold. Kate had been told that as the sun was setting orcas passed Bere Point. Then, with Kate back at camp, a large group travelling west passed Bere Point. Was this the same mysterious large group who had been at Duval Point in the morning? Again what would be the influence of the upcoming flooding tide. Would it bring company for those whales already in Johnstone Strait. So much afoot! 
OrcaLab
30 Aug 2022 08:06:32 PDT
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August 28 2022 Orcas: A50s, A54s,A23s, (T38A, Humpbacks:Claw and baby, Black Pearl and Kraked,Stitch, Quartz,Argonaut, Guardian, Cutter, maybe Doppelganger After returning to Johnstone Strait the orca families went east toward the Ecological Reserve. By midnight they were close to Strider and Main beaches. They did not rub but kept going east past the Reserve. Calls became mostly distant except for a few closer calls on the Main beach hydrophone around 2am. After that, calls once more became distant. We would not understand their movements again until two later daytime reports. At 9:25am Spirit of the West camp at Boat Bay saw 6-7 orcas. On the other side near Naka Creek Patrick Donnelly saw approximately 15, including A60, pass by. All these whales were heading west. Acoustically we heard calls at Critical Point (Robson Bight) at 10:06am. We thought it was probably the A54s. A60 was found at 10:19am off Strider beach. Again there was no stopping for a rub. They had the ebb flow with them but it was going to change at 11:35am so no time to waste, they were bound and determined for Blackney Pass and they had a ways yet to go. They reached Kaizumi beach just after the current changed. There was a lot of chatter but again no rub. A84 came in closest to the beach but he duly followed the others who looked as if they might now cross over to the other side. Shari, Karien and Megan (Momoko had gone back to the Lab) soon took note of A60 travelling and foraging mid strait just past Cracroft Point. Before 12:30pm the whales came together opposite Cracroft Point, took a long dive and made a try for Blackney Pass. The A54s were in the lead. The A23s and the A50s formed a single group behind. They managed to get through the entrance despite the opposing 4.4 knot current. A few even came into view of the Lab. By then the whales must have realised the daunting task of having to swim really hard if they wanted to continue. Collectively they made the decision to quit and go with the flow back to Johnstone Strait and back eastward once there. It is not often orcas get their timing or capabilities so wrong! At least it gave them an excuse to retrace their steps and enjoy some rubs while they waited out the prevailing currents. Perhaps tired from their earlier excursions they rested up first and then made for Strider by 4:29pm. The rub was not a long one. For us a technical glitch prevented us from watching or listening to a lot of the Strider rub. Fortunately the whales had stretched along further east to Main beach as well. Although there wasn’t a rub at Main we could still hear close calls. The technical issue was resolved in time to see the whales at 4:48pm move away to the west. Their timing was now much better. The current would change at 6:13pm to an ebb. They had only a little more time to go before they would be carried along on a 4.3 knot stream in the desired direction. Slowly at first, marking time, they were only opposite Boat Bay (which is across from the rubbing beaches on West Cracroft island) by 6pm. Their movement caught the attention of the Boat Bay camp who noted the passing orcas at 6:26pm. They were mid strait while others were closer to the Vancouver island side off the western boundary of the Reserve. Another half hour brought them near to the Sophia Islands. By 8pm they were approaching Cracroft Point. The light was going but we soon knew for certain where the whales were going too. They entered the entranceway to Blackney Pass at 8:13pm. Passage was much easier this time and they were soon going north. The strong ebb carried them to Blackfish in about a half hour. They were pretty quiet, no need to chatter, everyone knew where they were going. From 8:44pm to 8:52pm the groups filed into Blackfish Sound. After some whistles and a few calls a more lively discussion opened up when nearer the western end of Blackfish Sound. What were they deciding? Would they risk going against the current again and head into Weynton, would they wait, or would they opt for the easier path to Queen Charlotte Strait? After 10:23pm the distant calls, which had become sporadic, subsided. Interesting day with the humpbacks in Blackney Pass. The two mum and baby pairs were here. Black Pearl’s baby has already been named “Kraken” while Claw’s baby will be given a “ nickname” this coming Wednesday. The Marine Education and Research Society (MERS), who are responsible for the Humpback Whale ID catalogue, will make the announcement. Visit : https://www.mersociety.org. Last year Kam, who is again a volunteer with OrcaLab, got to name Ripple’s baby “Dapple” because she was the first to see the baby. It is heartwarming that some of the very familiar humpbacks return with their babies. More than often those babies will themselves later return to the area as well once independent of their mothers. 
Orcalab
29 Aug 2022 10:13:21 PDT
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Saturday, August 27, 2022





August 27 2022 Orcas: A50s, A54s,A23s Humpbacks: Claw and baby, Guardian,Stitch, Quartz, Argonaut and one unidentified Pacific White-sided dolphins DallÕs Porpoise Sea Lions hauled out on Parson Island Light Rock Whoever it was (at least one of the A30 groups) who went into Johnstone Strait before midnight had long gone quiet. In fact, except for the occasional humpback sounds, the night was uneventful except for the strong winds still blowing from the northwest and the noisy waves whipped up as a result. Then before 5:30am faint echolocation revealed that the scene had shifted from Johnstone Strait to Blackfish Sound. The morning, for once, was not shrouded in fog. In fact the rising morning sun was shining across from the Lab. The wind was still blowing but it was a welcomed warm wind. For those left at the Lab, and not at Boat Bay, the sight and feel of the sunny skies was like a balm after a long night. Just as the scheduled 9am scan (these are done regularly through the day) was about to begin, a blow and a disappearing fin were heard and seen just to the left of the Lab. A cluster of fins close to Burnt Point followed as did a hurried shout of ÒORCA!Ó which brought back the sleepy Karien and Kam who had just snuck away to get some much needed rest. Tiredness disappeared quickly. Energised by the beautiful sight of the passing orcas we managed to do the scan, start a recording, organise the cameras, all the while appreciating the special moment. The unhurried orcas mosied their way along the Hanson shoreline until disappearing from view around GabÕs Rock. They took forever to reach Johnstone Strait and when they did they turned west, the direction of the current. That must have made things easier and it gave them time to make a large circle around and over to the Vancouver Island side by the time the current changed to flood at 11:03am. By 11:54am they were opposite Kaiakash Creek heading east. This direction took them eventually to Kaizumi beach where a short rub by a few individuals happened between 12:49pm and 12:55pm. They and the others offshore continued east. They arrived off Robson Bight by 2pm. Their echolocation near the eastern headland declared their intention of carrying on through the rest of the Ecological Reserve to the rubbing beaches. The inevitable rub began at 2:50pm and ended at 3:32pm and involved the A50s mainly and a handful of dolphins who skirted about the orcas. The rub ended as the orcas pulled away to the west. In retracing their steps westward the groups arrived back at Robson Bight just before 4pm. Their journey west would take them all the way to Weynton Pass. Before getting there members of the A23s and the A50s passed closer to Cracroft Island from 5pm on. Jared Towers happened to stop at CP to chat with Megan, Shari and Momoko just when the whales passed. After and before 6pm the A23s and A50s crossed the entrance to Blackney and were headed to Big Bay. The A54s were not immediately accounted for but by the time they reached the entrance to Weynton around 7pm Scotty was reporting all three groups were there. After being northbound through Weynton Pass they came out into Blackfish Sound at 7:29pm. Freddy had a hard look around and finally found some blurry fins off the top end of Blackfish Sound crossing toward Hanson Island. A further report at 7:50pm from Scotty that the whales were eastbound opposite Double Bay helped with the search. Sure enough we found the whales on the Flower Island remote camera. They were moving without hesitation despite the large cruise ship which passed close by. This time the eventual cry of ÒORCA!Ó unfortunately came as the light was fading fast. We listened to their calls and their blows and before 9pm came to the conclusion that they had turned around back to Blackfish Sound. As they did so the composition of their calls changed, incorporating calls more closely associated with the A24s/A73s - so what was up? Company coming? There were a lot of bangs as well, someone was jumping and slapping out there in the dark. After 9pm there was another change. The groups made another bid for Blackney and were successful this time about getting further into the Pass. Local Centre finally picked up their calls although the majority of calls stayed on the Flower Island system a while longer. By 9:10pm blows were heard off White Beach Pass. The calls on Local Centre were rather distant, the calls on Flower Island were distant as well. By 9:12pm multiple groups were entering the Pass. As they did so they became excited once more. Calls on Flower ceased and calls on Parson Island started to become evident. Progress was very slow. Once again the current was against them, once again there were calls on the Flower Island system. By 9:47pm orca blows were heard beginning to exit Blackney Pass. Other groups were still filing through after 10pm. Shari, Megan and Momoko were waiting and listening at CP. They heard the first groups emerge just after 10pm. By 10:23pm a Òwhole bunchÓ were heading east followed a few minutes later by another group. The count was up to 18 by now. There were still whales at the far end of Blackney. But they too made it through and everyone went east, spread out but together, ÒdownÓ the Strait.  
OrcaLab
28 Aug 2022 08:33:27 PDT
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