Sorry everyone, but our internet connection has gone down again & will remain down until we can replace several radios in our wireless network. This will be a costly & time consuming excercise, but hopefully we'll be back again within a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, we wish you all the very best for this festive season... please take good care of yourselves and each other, and thank you, so much, for your continuing support of our efforts!
Paul & Helena
07 Dec 2008 17:18:38 PST
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
No orcas present.
We still have not heard the A12s today and wonder now if they were leaving when last heard. Time will hopefully make it all clearer. Today, is wet & windy - not at all like yesterday!
Helena
05 Dec 2008 15:42:19 PST
Helena
05 Dec 2008 15:42:19 PST
Thursday, December 04, 2008
The A12s are back in the area
Distant calls audible.
An amazing sunrise this morning and distant calls as well!
Helena
04 Dec 2008 08:47:34 PST
Distant calls audible.
It sounds like the A12s!
Helena
04 Dec 2008 08:50:27 PST
Distant calls audible.
We think the A12s may be heading back toward the Ecological Reserve now.
Helena
04 Dec 2008 14:26:46 PST
An amazing sunrise this morning and distant calls as well!
Helena
04 Dec 2008 08:47:34 PST
Distant calls audible.
It sounds like the A12s!
Helena
04 Dec 2008 08:50:27 PST
Distant calls audible.
We think the A12s may be heading back toward the Ecological Reserve now.
Helena
04 Dec 2008 14:26:46 PST
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Southern and Northern Residents
No orcas present.
As promised. We are now able to report which whales were seen off Alert Bay on Nov.24th. The DFO has confirmed that it was part of the Ls. This is only the 2nd time that we know of that southern residents have chosen to head north in the late Fall via Johnstone Strait. Two years ago, southern residents came through in early December. At that time, it was dark so pictures were not possible. However, they were vocal. This time, we don't believe they were vocal while in range of our hydrophones but Paul was fortunate to be in town at the time they passed by and was able to take a few pictures. L85,L41,L77,L78,L79 and L25 were identified from the pictures. Thanks to Jared and Graeme for their help with the identifications.
Helena
02 Dec 2008 14:54:32 PST
Distant calls audible.
And now for Northern Residents! We are hearing both A5 and A1 calls in Johnstone Strait near the entrance of Blackney Pass.
Helena
02 Dec 2008 20:25:42 PST
As promised. We are now able to report which whales were seen off Alert Bay on Nov.24th. The DFO has confirmed that it was part of the Ls. This is only the 2nd time that we know of that southern residents have chosen to head north in the late Fall via Johnstone Strait. Two years ago, southern residents came through in early December. At that time, it was dark so pictures were not possible. However, they were vocal. This time, we don't believe they were vocal while in range of our hydrophones but Paul was fortunate to be in town at the time they passed by and was able to take a few pictures. L85,L41,L77,L78,L79 and L25 were identified from the pictures. Thanks to Jared and Graeme for their help with the identifications.
Helena
02 Dec 2008 14:54:32 PST
Distant calls audible.
And now for Northern Residents! We are hearing both A5 and A1 calls in Johnstone Strait near the entrance of Blackney Pass.
Helena
02 Dec 2008 20:25:42 PST
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Transients near Stephanson Islands
No orcas present.
Here is a brief summary of the last few days. On Thursday, Nov 27, Jim Borrowman reported that he could see two male orcas by the Stephanson Islands across from Telegraph Cove. The day before, Nov. 26, he took photos of T7, T7A and T12A so he wondered if the whales he was seeing on the 27th were the same transient group. Meanwhile, there are still humpbacks and sea lions around. We are still waiting for the photos of the group of twenty to be processed. We will hopefully let you know soon. Grey, wet and sometimes windy days continue.
Helena
30 Nov 2008 10:53:09 PST
Here is a brief summary of the last few days. On Thursday, Nov 27, Jim Borrowman reported that he could see two male orcas by the Stephanson Islands across from Telegraph Cove. The day before, Nov. 26, he took photos of T7, T7A and T12A so he wondered if the whales he was seeing on the 27th were the same transient group. Meanwhile, there are still humpbacks and sea lions around. We are still waiting for the photos of the group of twenty to be processed. We will hopefully let you know soon. Grey, wet and sometimes windy days continue.
Helena
30 Nov 2008 10:53:09 PST
Monday, November 24, 2008
Unknown orcas
No calls but orcas nearby
A rather interesting day: approximately 20 orcas off Alert Bay early this afternoon. The whales headed west toward Port McNeill. We will know soon who this might have been. Stay tuned!
Helena
24 Nov 2008 21:50:29 PST
A rather interesting day: approximately 20 orcas off Alert Bay early this afternoon. The whales headed west toward Port McNeill. We will know soon who this might have been. Stay tuned!
Helena
24 Nov 2008 21:50:29 PST
Sunday, November 23, 2008
More transients
No calls but orcas nearby
Yet more transients in Blackney Pass this morning. The 7 were travelling in two groups and by the looks of it "on the hunt". Two humpbacks were also moving in the same direction not too far from the orcas. Lots of sea lions in the Pass. There were no calls that we were aware of. The orcas disappeared up into Blackfish Sound.
Helena
23 Nov 2008 10:59:19 PST
Yet more transients in Blackney Pass this morning. The 7 were travelling in two groups and by the looks of it "on the hunt". Two humpbacks were also moving in the same direction not too far from the orcas. Lots of sea lions in the Pass. There were no calls that we were aware of. The orcas disappeared up into Blackfish Sound.
Helena
23 Nov 2008 10:59:19 PST
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Transients in Blackfish Sound
No orcas present.
three days have gone by and nothing to really report. There have still been humpbacks and sea lions and there were two days of fabulous weather. Today, it is windy, grey and wet. Looking back over the last 20+ years, we believe this has been the shortest northern resident season to date. November is not over and there may be more to come but we are keeping track and mindful that this has been a dismal salmon season as well and that this probably provides a big clue about the orca's behaviours. Fingers crossed that they are enough finding food elsewhere.
Helena
20 Nov 2008 10:15:38 PST
Distant calls audible.
A small group of transients, close to the Hanson Island side of Blackney, and foraging, just went up into Blackfish Sound. They have made a few sounds and their splashing was quite audible too.
Helena
20 Nov 2008 16:14:14 PST
three days have gone by and nothing to really report. There have still been humpbacks and sea lions and there were two days of fabulous weather. Today, it is windy, grey and wet. Looking back over the last 20+ years, we believe this has been the shortest northern resident season to date. November is not over and there may be more to come but we are keeping track and mindful that this has been a dismal salmon season as well and that this probably provides a big clue about the orca's behaviours. Fingers crossed that they are enough finding food elsewhere.
Helena
20 Nov 2008 10:15:38 PST
Distant calls audible.
A small group of transients, close to the Hanson Island side of Blackney, and foraging, just went up into Blackfish Sound. They have made a few sounds and their splashing was quite audible too.
Helena
20 Nov 2008 16:14:14 PST
Sunday, November 16, 2008
No orcas present.
The humpbacks are still hanging around the area and the sea lions have yet to move on. Typically grey November seas and skies round out the picture.
Helena
16 Nov 2008 21:47:47 PST
Helena
16 Nov 2008 21:47:47 PST
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Dolphins and Humpbacks
Orcas near mics.
There be dolphins in the entrance to Blackney Pass.
Helena
13 Nov 2008 14:12:26 PST
No orcas present.
This afternoon 4 humpbacks travelled through towards Blackfish Sound: Two adults together followed by a mum and calf. Dolphins and sea lions surrounded the whales.
Helena
13 Nov 2008 16:14:26 PST
There be dolphins in the entrance to Blackney Pass.
Helena
13 Nov 2008 14:12:26 PST
No orcas present.
This afternoon 4 humpbacks travelled through towards Blackfish Sound: Two adults together followed by a mum and calf. Dolphins and sea lions surrounded the whales.
Helena
13 Nov 2008 16:14:26 PST
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
No calls
No orcas present.
All pretty quiet today. We did hear of a report of an orca sighting in Johnstone Strait yesterday. We did not hear any calls yesterday.
Helena
12 Nov 2008 16:58:39 PST
All pretty quiet today. We did hear of a report of an orca sighting in Johnstone Strait yesterday. We did not hear any calls yesterday.
Helena
12 Nov 2008 16:58:39 PST
Monday, November 10, 2008
Vocal Humpbacks in Blackfish Sound
No orcas present.
Audio is back. Sorry for the inconvenience and fingers crossed that it will last! We have not heard orcas since November 3rd but the humpbacks have been quite vocal. Hopefully, they will be again soon. Today, most of the calls were in Blackfish Sound and Blackney Pass as the humpbacks moved back and forth.
Helena
10 Nov 2008 19:07:51 PST
Audio is back. Sorry for the inconvenience and fingers crossed that it will last! We have not heard orcas since November 3rd but the humpbacks have been quite vocal. Hopefully, they will be again soon. Today, most of the calls were in Blackfish Sound and Blackney Pass as the humpbacks moved back and forth.
Helena
10 Nov 2008 19:07:51 PST
Monday, November 03, 2008
A36s and Gs still around
Distant calls audible.
This morning we continued to hear the A36s, then the Gs and now the As once again. Possibly they took the ebb to the west this morning.
Helena
03 Nov 2008 12:03:26 PST
This morning we continued to hear the A36s, then the Gs and now the As once again. Possibly they took the ebb to the west this morning.
Helena
03 Nov 2008 12:03:26 PST
Sunday, November 02, 2008
A36s and G17s are back!
Orcas near mics.
They are back! For the last while we have been listening to the A36s and the G17s in Blackfish Sound. It has been two weeks. The humpbacks and sea lions continue to be a presence in Blackney Pass as well.
Helena
02 Nov 2008 17:27:35 PST
No calls but orcas nearby
It sounds like at least the A36s made it to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass.
Helena
02 Nov 2008 19:43:28 PST
They are back! For the last while we have been listening to the A36s and the G17s in Blackfish Sound. It has been two weeks. The humpbacks and sea lions continue to be a presence in Blackney Pass as well.
Helena
02 Nov 2008 17:27:35 PST
No calls but orcas nearby
It sounds like at least the A36s made it to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass.
Helena
02 Nov 2008 19:43:28 PST
Friday, October 31, 2008
No orcas present.
Two humpbacks were just in front of the Lab. They were fairly close and once again surrounded by dozens of sea lions. It took a while but they finally showed some of their flukes and we managed to snap off a picture or two. Amazing air sounds and even a few spy hops. Nice trick, nice treat.
Helena
31 Oct 2008 15:15:04 PST
Two humpbacks were just in front of the Lab. They were fairly close and once again surrounded by dozens of sea lions. It took a while but they finally showed some of their flukes and we managed to snap off a picture or two. Amazing air sounds and even a few spy hops. Nice trick, nice treat.
Helena
31 Oct 2008 15:15:04 PST
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Humpbacks calling
Superb sounds!!
We are definitely hearing humpback calls again! Quite exciting.
Helena
29 Oct 2008 18:36:42 PST
We are definitely hearing humpback calls again! Quite exciting.
Helena
29 Oct 2008 18:36:42 PST
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Humpback whales and Transients
No orcas present.
Well, it has been quite the day! Around 12:30pm we became aware of humpback calls in Blackfish Sound. Soon after a humpback came into Blackney surrounded by sea lions. The humpback was making lots of in-the-air noises. Another humpback came into view, further over, on the cusp of Blackfish Sound and Blackney Pass. This humpback was also making lots of loud exhalations. Over the next few hours these whales went back and forth. The calls dropped off after a while.
Helena
28 Oct 2008 16:12:39 PST
No orcas present.
We got a report from the MacKays that 6 orcas, most likely transients, were in Port McNeill harbour area around 6:30pm. These whales headed west. The humpbacks are still in Blacknney Pass.
Helena
28 Oct 2008 21:05:13 PST
Well, it has been quite the day! Around 12:30pm we became aware of humpback calls in Blackfish Sound. Soon after a humpback came into Blackney surrounded by sea lions. The humpback was making lots of in-the-air noises. Another humpback came into view, further over, on the cusp of Blackfish Sound and Blackney Pass. This humpback was also making lots of loud exhalations. Over the next few hours these whales went back and forth. The calls dropped off after a while.
Helena
28 Oct 2008 16:12:39 PST
No orcas present.
We got a report from the MacKays that 6 orcas, most likely transients, were in Port McNeill harbour area around 6:30pm. These whales headed west. The humpbacks are still in Blacknney Pass.
Helena
28 Oct 2008 21:05:13 PST
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A30s left to the north
No orcas present.
Yesterday and today (so far) have been very quiet. The last we heard from the A30s was when they faded off in the distance from Blackfish Sound two days ago.
Helena
23 Oct 2008 16:20:38 PDT
Yesterday and today (so far) have been very quiet. The last we heard from the A30s was when they faded off in the distance from Blackfish Sound two days ago.
Helena
23 Oct 2008 16:20:38 PDT
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