Monday, November 21, 2005

No calls but orcas nearby

Hello, everyone! Just after the sun rose over the mountains on this lovely morning, we saw misty blows in Blackney Pass, then the black shapes of orca dorsal fins appeared in the sun's glare! We only had one more glimpse of them as they headed into Blackfish Sound, but saw enough to conclude that they were transients. The group of 4 consisted of 1 adult male, 2 females & a juvenile. They weren't vocal. After more than 2 weeks without sighting orcas, this was an exciting way to start our day!
Paul & Helena
21 Nov 2005 09:42:44 PST

Monday, November 14, 2005

No orcas present.

Good Evening! Except for dolphins from time to time it has been very quiet since the 5th. The departure of the residents is a bit earlier than most years. The snow level is moving down the mountain and we have noticed that the days are a lot cooler now. Although there was sleet yesterday today was clear & sunny. We will let you know if the whales return. In the meantime, we have been reading the comment board and have enjoyed the posted links. Thanks!
Helena & Paul
14 Nov 2005 19:01:23 PST

Monday, November 07, 2005

No orcas present.

Hello everyone! We're away at the moment, but have heard from Jared Towers that the A4s, A5s & A36s were near Lizard Point 2 days ago, heading west. Andy, who is at at the lab, hasn't heard any calls for the last 2 days, so it looks like we are in a waiting mode once again!
Paul
07 Nov 2005 12:26:49 PST

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Superb sounds!!

It seems possibly cruel to tell you this, but we hope you'll be happy to know, that we're listening to a wonderful concert from the A4s, including Springer, all the A5s (probably) & the A36s, who are in the entrance of Blackney Pass at the moment, probably foraging. There is no longer a camera at CP, so we can't see what's happening, but the sounds are enough!
Paul
02 Nov 2005 10:03:12 PST

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

No orcas present.

We reviewed the tapes from last night and by early this morning we could hear the A36s along with the A5 group not too far off the Bight. Their calls faded into the distance and we never heard them come to the west in range of CP. This was the same for the A4s earlier. Therefore, we think the groups might have gone back to the east. Meanwhile the dolphins who had come in from Blackfish Sound and travelled through Blackney Pass to the Strait also went east toward the Bight. There sounded like quite a group of dolphins and this morning we have heard reports of a minke in Blackney and humpbacks near Blinkhorn. Sealions and Dalls porpoise have also been out and about.
Helena
01 Nov 2005 13:44:04 PST

Boat noise

We started to hear distant calls on Critical Point at 8:16pm. They are now getting louder. It seems the A4s, A5s, A1s are back from the east.
Julie @ OL
01 Nov 2005 21:21:46 PST

Monday, October 31, 2005

Replay

We will begin another replay in a moment.
Paul
31 Oct 2005 01:59:58 PST

Performing maintenance

We are experiencing a problem with our wireless network. The next replay will be delayed until we solve the problem - please excuse the inconvenience.
Paul
31 Oct 2005 06:10:15 PST

Performing maintenance

We know what the problem is, a battery failure at CP, but it will probably be several hours before we can get there to replace it. Unfortunately, we have to cancel the replay scheduled for this time. We do apologise!
Paul
31 Oct 2005 06:38:31 PST

Replay

For the moment we are "up" thanks to solar power at CP. However, it's a cloudy day here & we may go down again soon. We expect to be able to replace the failed battery at CP in time to run the scheduled 10am replay.
Paul
31 Oct 2005 08:58:43 PST

No orcas present.

Once again, we've heard no calls overnight. We are still waiting, and hoping that the A1s A4s & A5s we believe are in still eastern Johnstone Strait will return to our area today!
Paul
31 Oct 2005 09:11:09 PST

Replay

The next replay will commence shortly after we swap the battery at CP.
Julie @ CP
31 Oct 2005 10:08:22 PST

No orcas present.

Good morning again, everyone! After a surprise beginning, not enough batery power for the CP radios which run our wireless network, at 6am, this is turning into quite a lovely day... there's a bit of wind from the southeast, but hopefully not enough to prevent us from getting to CP for a final farewell at 6pm PST, when our live webcast will end. Meanwhile, we are enjoying sunshine off & on, & waiting for orcas to return! The next replay will be at 2pm PST, & the final one at 5pm PST.
Paul
31 Oct 2005 11:25:37 PST

Replay

When we do the last replays we thought it might be of interest for you to know who is on the sound track: 1. Rs: Aug. 11, 11 min 2. humpback: Sept 24, 1.3 min 3. A30s and I15s: Sept 3, 22 min 4. transients: Sept 5, 5 min 5. A55 alone: Oct. 18, 1.34 min 6. A36s: Oct 28, 2 min 7. Offshores: Oct. 12, 10 min 8. A12s, A36s, and several G groups: Oct 15, 8 min
Helena
31 Oct 2005 13:09:56 PST

Replay

The next replay will start in a moment.
Julie @ CP
31 Oct 2005 14:00:22 PST

Replay

The next and final highlight broadcast will be at 5pm PST today.
Dan
31 Oct 2005 16:06:00 PST

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to the A4s & A5s on the Critical Point hydrophone as they make their way to the west in Johnstone Strait, after spending 2 days in the east. Boat noise is present also, but the calls are clear, & very welcome!
Paul
31 Oct 2005 23:23:34 PST

Sunday, October 30, 2005

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! Once again, we've had a quiet night (apart from boat noise) & think that the A1/A4/A5 group of orcas that headed east in Johnstone Strait after their energetic entrance at midnight 2 nights ago, are probably somewhere to the east. We are, of course, hoping they will return soon! Meanwhile, we're enjoying a rather blustery morning here, & all's well... we hope things are going well for you, too, wherever you are.
Paul
30 Oct 2005 10:13:05 PST

Replay

Replay schedule. We will commence replays of highlights from this (2005) season at about 6pm PST today. The replay is about an hour long. We will repeat it at roughly 4 hour intervals (10pm, 2am, etc) with the last replay being at 5pm PST tomorrow. The live webcast will end at about 6pm PST tomorrow, October 31st, after the final replay. The presence of orcas calling, or being on camera, could affect the replay schedule, as we will switch to live if this happens.
Paul
30 Oct 2005 11:55:16 PST

Replay

The first replay will begin in a few minutes (about 6pm PST. It will last about an hour. Many thanks to Julie & Andrew for editing the video, and Helena for editing the audio. If orcas asre heard during the replay, we will switch to live.
Paul
30 Oct 2005 17:57:09 PST

No orcas present.

We've been waiting all day to hear calls, & are still waiting... so far, it's another stormy night without orcas here. Next replay begins in about half an hour.
Paul
30 Oct 2005 21:32:32 PST

Replay

We are just about to start the 2nd replay (just after 10pm)
Helena
30 Oct 2005 22:05:43 PST

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Superb sounds!!

The A5s & A4s are back! We're listening to them on the Parson Island hydrophone as they head towards Johnstone Strait.
Paul
29 Oct 2005 00:46:36 PDT

No orcas present.

It has been a while now since we heard calls. Possibly the whales (the A4s, A5s and A1s)continued to the east after lingering off Critical Point. Meanwhile Pacific Whitesided dolphins can still be heard in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
29 Oct 2005 04:08:09 PDT

No orcas present.

We have not heard anything now for a few hours but the whales went east and will come back at some point. We read with interest Cetacealab's report about seeing the A4s a few days ago. They have travelled! And by the sounds of things earlier this morning they still had energy to burn.
Helena
29 Oct 2005 10:36:01 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since early this morning, & think that the large group of orcas (A1s, A4s, A5s) that headed into Johnstone Strait shortly after midnight must have continued to the east. We are waiting for their return!
Paul
29 Oct 2005 18:46:31 PDT

Friday, October 28, 2005

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! We heard no calls overnight & are not sure what happened to the A12s & A36s. We are waiting, & meanwhile having a very wet morning after yesterday's storm.
Paul
28 Oct 2005 10:37:18 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A36s are off CP at the moment.
Helena
28 Oct 2005 16:04:10 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

It looks like the A36s are heading north into Blackney Pass, taking an easy ride on the ebbing tide. They are silent for the moment & are passing a tug heading south into Johnstone Strait.
Paul
28 Oct 2005 16:30:59 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We've been listening to the A36s at the "top" of Blackfish Sound for more than the past hour... they are silent at the moment, but probably not far away.
Paul
28 Oct 2005 18:56:56 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls for several hours, & think the A36s probably continued to the north from Blackfish Sound. However, we aren't sure. We are waiting.
Paul
28 Oct 2005 22:01:12 PDT

No orcas present.

I just reviewed the tapes from around 6pm after the A36s went into Blackfish Sound and a few additional calls were heard. The A5s are clearly there! This might explain why the A36s were in such a rush.
Helena
28 Oct 2005 23:03:55 PDT

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Distant calls audible.

The whales were active throughout the night and carried on moving around the area. Right now we are hearing very faint calls in the Strait and wonder if the A12s and the A36s are both to the west of CP nearer the "top" end of Hanson Island not far from the entrance of Weynton.
Helena
27 Oct 2005 09:50:49 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s have turned up in front of CP on this sunny (soon to be grey) south east day.
Helena
27 Oct 2005 10:32:21 PDT


No calls but orcas nearby

The A12s have headed north through Blackney Pass, on the slack tide, & are now in Blackfish Sound. For the moment, they are silent.
Paul
27 Oct 2005 14:38:29 PDT

Orcas near mics.

So here come the A36s.
Helena
27 Oct 2005 16:58:14 PDT

No orcas present.

We had the impression that the A36s were headed west but the calls have been few.
Helena
27 Oct 2005 19:26:37 PDT

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Performing maintenance

Due to power problems Orcalive will be down for a while, we will be back up and runnin as soon as possible.
Julie and Andy @ CP
26 Oct 2005 06:04:26 PDT



Distant calls audible.

We're back, almost (Channel B so far) & are listening to occasional calls from the A12s, who are foraging at the "top" of Blackfish Sound.
Paul
26 Oct 2005 11:36:58 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A36s are foraging off CP at the moment after traveling from Robson Bight. The A12s are reported to be between Penfolds and Bold Head.
Julie @ CP
26 Oct 2005 14:02:06 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A36s are now up between Big Bay and the top edge of Hanson Island. They are foraging and it looks like one of the brothers is surrounded by Dalls Porpoises. We had the first snow on the mountains last night, while this evening more storms are forecast.
Julie @ CP
26 Oct 2005 15:26:04 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s have turned back to the east and are crossing towards Blinkhorn Pen. at the moment. Also we had a report that the A12s after foraging in Queen Charlotte Strait grouped up and turned eastward as well before 4pm.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 17:04:57 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12s are heading back into Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass. We're listening to them on the Parson Island hydrophone, without boat noise!
Paul
26 Oct 2005 19:28:45 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Lovely calls from the A112s as they entered the very noisy Johnstone strait. nice reality there for a while. We think the A36s continued east ahead of the A12s earlier.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 20:03:46 PDT

Distant calls audible.

So.... the A36s left the Strait for Blackfish Sound! This was a surprise and it was quickly done. Now we are not sure where the A12s ended up. The constant boat noise in the Strait is unfortunate.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 22:00:04 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It sounds like the A12s are up with the A36s in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 22:39:47 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A36s are back in the Strait after circling round through Weynton Pass. We have not heard from the A12s for a while.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 23:17:16 PDT

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Orcas near mics.

The A12s appeared from the east in stormy waters about 20 minutes ago and are now foraging in the rip of Blackney Pass, its difficult to see everyone and so far we are not sure of the whereabouts of the A36s.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 09:07:06 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12's travelled through Blackney Pass, foraging along the way and we are now hearing them in the Blackfish Sound.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 12:31:07 PDT

Boat noise

The A12's have made it back into the Strait via Weynton Passage. We can't see them at the moment due to rain, but keep an eye on channel A in case they come close!
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 15:39:08 PDT

Boat noise

The A12s are probably foraging in the rip of Blackney Pass again. The weather here turned about 20 mins ago after a brief calm spell and we can't see them at the moment due to rain and waves.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 16:32:13 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are still listening to distant calls on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 19:19:28 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12's are making their way East in Johnstone Strait. We are hearing them on C.P. and Critical Point.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 22:24:06 PDT

Superb sounds!!

For once there is no boat noise, and we are listening to these beautiful calls of the A12's on Critical Point.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 22:46:00 PDT

Monday, October 24, 2005

Orcas near mics.

Good morning. The A36s woke us up once again just after 4am. They sounded this time not too far from Robson Bight. We are waiting to see if they are coming west in Johnstone Strait. A few interesting low grunts (growls) at the moment/
Helena
24 Oct 2005 04:35:38 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A12s have been sighed heading west towards CP. Possibly, the A36s are there too, though we're not sure at the moment. Channel A. It's another stormy day here!
Paul
24 Oct 2005 08:48:31 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

As the tide moves towards slack, the A12s (& possibly A36s) have finally decided to head north into Blackney Pass.
Paul
24 Oct 2005 10:40:25 PDT

Distant calls audible.

While the A12s finish their path through Blackney Pass towards Blackfish Sound we can hear the A36s approaching the entrance to Blackney Pass in the Strait. A tug heading south is providing loud boat noise in the same entrance way. Slack tide (to the ebb) began at 11:15am.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 11:28:20 PDT


Distant calls audible.

Every so often we still catch a few calls in Blackfish Sound so the whales arenot moving off too quickly - most likely a good fishing day.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 16:15:41 PDT

Distant calls audible.

I knew I waited too long to post. We are now hearing calls once again in the Strait.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 16:27:49 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We feel a bit like we are chasing the A36s. We certainly can't catch up - they are too fast & too complicated. We have lost track of them again. The a12s certainly have made it a bit easier. After they re-entered Johnstone Strait they vocalised as they moved east to the entrance of Blackney. Just after we got word they were coming into Blackney we suddenly saw the A36s half way through BUT headed south with a group of porpoises. One of them breached. As they moved into the gap between Parson Island and Hanson Island they met up with the waiting, floating A12s. Everyone (orcas and porpoise) took a deep dive. Finally the A12s showed, headed north along Parson Island. The A36s and the porpoise were no where to be seen and everyone was quiet. We are pretty sure the A12s made it to Blackfish Sound.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 19:08:47 PDT

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Distant calls audible.

Good morning everyone! We've been listening to distant "A1" calls, amidst persistent boat noise, on the Critical Point hydrophone for the past hour. Possibly, both the A12s & A36s have come back into Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. However, there is so much boat noise that we're not sure if both groups are there.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 10:25:51 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A36s are approaching the Blackney Pass "gap" & are visible on Channel A. The A12s are further behind, on the Vancouver island side of the Strait.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 11:08:20 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

It looks like the A12s & A36s are heading north into Blackney Pass. Some of them are still visible on Channel A.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 11:49:25 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s & A36s have travelled north through Blackney Pass & are now in Blackfish Sound - A55 & A46 were together. The calls we're listening to are on the Flower Island hydrophone.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 12:38:51 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're still listening to the A12s & A36s... sounds like they are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 13:49:27 PDT

Performing maintenance

We will be down for a short while... hope to be up again soon.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 17:01:19 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're up again, & hearing distant calls from the A12s & A36s on the Critical Point hydrophone... sounds like they have re-entered Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass & are heading east.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 17:28:21 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s and the A36s have circled around Hanson Island via Weynton Passage once more and are moving east toward the area off the entrance to Blackney Pass.
Helena
23 Oct 2005 17:43:27 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It sounds like the whales have decided to stay in the Strait for now. We are hearing calls on the Critical Point station.
Helena
23 Oct 2005 20:14:22 PDT

No orcas present.

We are back to guessing what direction the A12s and the A36s chose in the end. The A36s were the last group heard and as the tide is now ebbing it is tempting to think that they went back out to the west but when they were last calling the tide was still pushing eastward. So now we wait and hopefully they will give up a few more clues before long.
Helena
23 Oct 2005 23:08:43 PDT

Saturday, October 22, 2005

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! We heard the A12's in Blackfish Sound a couple of times during the night, and think they probably moved to the north as the tide changed to ebb around 9am. We are waiting, and meanwhile enjoying a quiet rainy morning after yesterday's storm.
Paul
22 Oct 2005 11:17:20 PDT

Orcas near mics.

It sounds like the A12s have come back into Blackfish Sound.
Helena
22 Oct 2005 13:07:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s are still in Blackfish Sound just a bit further away from the hydrophone than before. The tide will turn to the flood around 3:30pm. This may encourage them back to the Strait.
Helena
22 Oct 2005 14:48:44 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since mid afternoon, when the A12s were at the "top" of Blackfish Sound. It's most likely they are somewhere to the north of Blackfish Sound, though we're not sure.
Paul
22 Oct 2005 22:47:58 PDT

Friday, October 21, 2005

No calls but orcas nearby

A very stormy day. A group of transients are working the area off of Parson Island. They were first seen heading south but then stalled and are now going back and forth in about the same place as first seen. At least one male and maybe 2 -3 others.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 10:19:56 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We have lost track of the transients. One minute it looked like they had pulled away from whatever was interesting them and were angling over towards us. Then we couldn't find them again. There were no calls.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 11:27:57 PDT


Orcas approaching Orcalab.

The A12s have just passed CP & are now (probably) heading north into Blackney Pass.
Paul
21 Oct 2005 12:57:50 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The a12s are travelling close to each other through Blackney Pass. They are silent so far and about half way through the pass on their way north.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 13:23:58 PDT

No orcas present.

We forgot to post a note re the A12s and their movements. They continued into Blackfish Sound where they were vocal briefly and then silent.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 18:04:50 PDT

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Superb sounds!!

After the A12s came back into the range of the Critical Point hydrophone, we're now listening to their echoing calls in the Robson Bight area again.
Sven
20 Oct 2005 00:59:31 PDT

No orcas present.

The A12s might have gone east in Johnstone Strait with the flooding tide...we didn't hear any more calls for about 45mins now.
Sven
20 Oct 2005 02:27:32 PDT


No calls but orcas nearby

The a12s came back from the east just a little while ago. Julie and Andy can see two blows in the direction of Izumi Rock (just west of the Ecological Reserve. John Ford reported the A36s are off Lizard Point foraging.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 12:11:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s moved up the Vancouver Island side fairly quickly on the last of the ebb and got as far as opposite Big Bay where it looks like they may be turning. The tide (by the book) turns in 15 minutes to the flood. We are hearing distant calls.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 13:04:21 PDT

No orcas present.

After just a brief call the A12s disappeared to the west. possibly they are headed for Weynton Pass.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 16:58:05 PDT


Distant calls audible.

After chasing the calls of the A12s we have finally caught up with them off the top end of Blackfish Sound after they presumably went through Weynton Pass.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 18:27:49 PDT

No orcas present.

Well, the A12s may have headed out to Queen Charlotte Strait. The tide is ebbing (strong currents) and this may have encouraged them. The A36s were out that direction earlier today so perhaps they also went to find them.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 20:52:29 PDT

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

No calls but orcas nearby

The A12s are foraging in the entrance of Blackney Pass (Channel A), due to the weather and the A12s being reasonably quiet we are not sure which direction they came from. Apologies for any flickering on the surface camera we are trying to combat the technical difficulties.
Julie and Andy @ CP
19 Oct 2005 14:56:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're listening to distant A1 calls on the Critical Point hydrophone. The whales are not calling very frequently so we're not sure who this is, yet.
Sven
19 Oct 2005 19:45:56 PDT

Superb sounds!!

It sounds like the A12s are in Robson Bight, close to the Critical Point hydrophone.
Paul
19 Oct 2005 21:04:55 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We've heard no calls for a while now, & think the orcas have probably moved to the east past the Critical Point hydrophone.
Paul
19 Oct 2005 23:21:10 PDT

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Distant calls audible.

Good morning everyone! We've been listening to the A12s in Johnstone Strait since a bit before 5am. At the moment, they are mid-Strait off Blackney Pass, heading east. We're hearing them on the Critical Point, CP & Parson Island hydrophones.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 07:52:20 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

It;s now light enough to use the surface camera - the A12s are vicible in the distance on Channel A.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 07:59:48 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're hearing occasional calls on the Critical Point hydrophone as the A12s make their way to the east. At present, they are mostly on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait, approaching Izumi Rock.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 09:10:32 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A12s are back in the entrance of Blackney Pass (Channel A). They may head north through Blackney soon.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 10:07:15 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s have gone into Blackfish Sound while the A36s headed east toward the Bight. Today is A55's birthday! Sixteen years ago we saw the four adult A12s in Blackney Pass in the morning. They disappeared for a while to the west and when they came back in the afternoon A34 had her little calf beside her. A12 was positioned not too far away while A33 and his brother A31 waited off to the side.
Helena
18 Oct 2005 11:20:48 PDT

Distant calls audible.

How cool is this? The birthday boy A55, all by himself, came into Blackney and foraged mid channel opposite the Lab! AND he was vocal! - now what did Dave just say to Libby? While alone in Blackney his family continued to call in Blackfish Sound. Eventually he turned north to rejoin his group. The are calling now in Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, we heard the A36s again in the Strait. Just for interest sake, A55 did a variety of calls while opposite us. Its all on the tape!
Helena
18 Oct 2005 12:28:31 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

While we continue to hear the A12s at the "top" of Blackfish Sound, we're watching the A36s, who are now foraging mid-Strait off Blackney Pass, on Channel A.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 15:07:31 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

After foraging off of CP and the entrance to Blackney Pass the A36s have moved on to the west.
Helena
18 Oct 2005 17:47:24 PDT

Monday, October 17, 2005

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Good morning everyone! After a quiet night, a large group of orcas has suddenly appeared heading towards CP from the east. Channel A.
Paul
17 Oct 2005 09:37:20 P

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

The orcas passed CP quickly and headed north through Blackney Pass, travelling fast in 2 groups (14+ total) on the swiftly ebbing tide. They are now in Blackfish Sound. We've heard no calls so far. We're uncertain as to exactly who is there, but are leaning towards the D7s, as well as others. Hopefully, they will become vocal before they get out of range, & we'll get further clues.
Paul
17 Oct 2005 10:17:19 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The orcas appear to have travelled out of our range without making any calls, so we're still unclear as to who was there. However, Jared Towers is out looking for them, in pouring rain in his little open boat, hoping to take ID photos, so we may learn more later.
Paul
17 Oct 2005 11:41:52 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls for some time now & are not sure what happened to the orcas who travelled north through Blackney Pass earlier. We are waiting.
Paul
17 Oct 2005 14:36:08 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We just suddenly heard a call while in the house. The call was from the Strait.
Helena
17 Oct 2005 17:19:06 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We have sent an alert. This sounds like the missing whales. CP can see a large group heading west from the Sophias. Right now we are listening to the A12s.
Helena
17 Oct 2005 17:30:22 PDT

Distant calls audible.

What a day! The A12s dropped the Gs off at Blackney and the Gs rushed through leaving the A12s still in the Strait. The A12s have since sounded like they are moving west. Perhaps they will go around via Weynton. We lost track of the Gs in Blackfish Sound presumably still heading west to Queen Charlotte Strait. But did I mention the lovely Harvest Moon which rose directly opposite the Lab?
Helena
17 Oct 2005 19:42:24 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s are audible on the Critical Point hydrophone again after they dissappeared earlier to what sounded like the west. We just began to hear them on CP, so they probably going east again.
Sven & Thomas
17 Oct 2005 21:55:43 PDT

No orcas present.

The A12s went silent more than an hour ago now, so we are not sure if the whales continued to go east or they turned again.
Sven
17 Oct 2005 23:27:22 PDT