September 16th - A humpback and an orca hunt, oh my!

The winds were calm and seas were flat as both Cascadia and Keta set out to find whales. There were reports of transient killer whales in the Strait of Georgia so our boats started to make their way there. Along route however, Cascadia found a humpback whale! It cartwheeled out of the water, showing off it’s long pectoral fins and immense body size, before leaving a huge splash. Later in the afternoon, Keta also found a humpback whale while they were traveling home. Humpbacks all around!

Both vessels spent time with the transient killer whale pod the T123s. This family is made up of matriarch/mom T123 “Sidney” and her three offspring. Stanley is the eldest at 19 years old and his fin is about double the size of his sister’s fins! His sisters “Lucky” and “Darcy” were born in 2012 and 2018, respectively. We got to watch this pod traveling and foraging in the Strait and around the Coal Docks. They had a very successful hunt and guests were treated to some tail slaps and spy hopping once it was all finished. We even saw the prey’s remains bobbing at the surface!

Here are some of the best photos taken that day by the marine naturalists.

A harbour porpoise that might have become lunch! Photo by Val Watson

Little Darcy coming up as well! Photo by Val Watson

Two seals share a large fish! Photo by Rebeka Pirker

Leftovers from the hunt! Photo by Rebeka Pirker

Perfect place for a ponder! Photo by Rebeka Pirker

California Sea lions. Photo by Rebeka Pirker

Jilann LechnerSeptember 18, 20191 Comment