May 2, 2024 - The Transients are still partying!
The wildlife sightings started before we were off the dock today. There was a pair of River Otters examining some of the boats on the docks below our office. This duo has been a highlight of a lot of our mornings lately as they have been very regularly spotted. Today these two were examining a boat. Over the years we have had several encounters with our local River Otters where they appear to be making dens out of the local small crafts that are moored in our harbour. Maybe that is what these two were up to today? Or maybe they were just looking for a good napping spot!
After the exciting encounter on land, we were eager to push off and start searching for whales. We headed on out and kept our eyes on the horizon, scanning side-to-side in search of blows, dorsal fins, or flukes. Our journey today took us across the Strait of Georgia and close to Vancouver. After searching for a bit we took a couple of pitstops to see some wildlife.
Our first stop was with a majestic Bald Eagle nestled high up in a tree. These large raptors are fairly common to see on our trips, but that doesn’t make our encounters with them any less special! Bald Eagles were seriously affected in the 1900s when the use of the insecticide DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) became widespread across North America. DDT use would cause the species numbers to decline, hitting an all-time low in the 1970s. They were officially listed as Endangered in 1978. DDT would end up in waterways, contaminating fish, which would lead to issues for the Bald Eagle’s reproductive systems. Their eggs would become brittle and many of them would break simply from the bird’s sitting on them. DDT would remain in use until the US banned most applications of it in 1972, and in 1985 in Canada. Since the discontinuation of DDT use, Bald Eagle populations have quadrupled and the species is no longer considered at risk. Now that’s what we call a species comeback!
We left the eagle behind and started once more. Our next stop took us to Gambier Island where we saw our sea lions snoozing on a dock. These lazy loungers spend many hours of the day just sleeping and barking/belching away. We watched them for a bit before continuing on our way.
The Salish Sea has been party-central these last couple of days, and apparently, today was no different! While it took a while to find them, we found another T-party (multiple Transient/Bigg’s orca pods travelling together) near Gambier Island in Howe Sound. This party was made up of the same whales we saw back on April 28th:
T071B1 Zengo ♀ (2013)
T071B2 Tasli/Nemo ♂ (2018)
T086A3 Tyndall ♀ (2011)
T086A3A (2024)
T124A2 Elkugu ♀ (2001)
T124A2A Agafia ♂ (2013)
T124A2B Litton ♀ (2016)
This party may have been napping as we observed them. They were travelling very slowly together, likely enjoying some quiet socializing time. The youngster of the group, T086A3A, was the most energetic of the group as they popped up close to their mother T086A3 Tyndall. This little calf is already getting quite large. We are so excited to watch them continue to grow!
The socializing did seem to end about halfway through our time with them, however, as the groups then split up and went their separate ways. The multi-day party had come to an end! Once we departed the remaining we started making our way back across the Strait and back into home port after another lovely whale-filled day!
Please enjoy these photos taken by Marine Naturalist Aly Kohlman below!
A couple of mischievous river otters examining a boat.
All hands - er, paws - on board!
A Bald Eagle high up in the trees.
Natural camouflage at work - these harbour seals blend in nicely with the surrounding rocks.
Seal coats can be all sorts of colours - from dark with light spots to light with dark spots!
This little guy looked like he was ready to go get a snack.
That one at the bottom doesn’t look too comfortable.
We have a feeling these sea lions don’t care what that sign says.
A trio of fabulous Cormorants.
What a distinguished looking sea lion!
Someone looks a little squished!
T124A2 Elkugu.
T086A3 Tyndall.
T086A3 Tyndall and T086A3A.
T086A3 Tyndall with her calf T086A3A behind her.
T086A3 Tyndall with her calf T086A3A - this calf is so full of energy!
T071B2 Tasli with their distinct rake marks from the tip of their dorsal all the way and down into their saddlepatch.
T071B1 Zengo.
T071B2 Tasli/Nemo.
T071B1 Zengo with another surfacing beside her.
T086A3A with her eye above the water!
T086A3A looking adorable as ever!
T071B1 Zengo.
T086A3 Tyndall with T071B1 Zengo surfacing.
T071B1 Zengo and T086A3 Tyndall.
Left to right: T071B1 Zengo, T086A3A, T086A Tyndall, and T071B2 Tasli/Nemo.
Left to right: T071B2 Tasli/Nemo, T086A Tyndall, and T071B1 Zengo.
T124A2A Agafia with the water rolling off his back.
T124A2A Agafia slicing through the water.
T124A2A Agafia’s saddle patch is getting so scarred up!
T071B1 Zengo in front of picture perfect Howe Sound.