What a trip, we pushed off the dock with some clouds in the sky, creating a mood! We get excited about this kind of weather, when it’s overcast, the blows from our whales appear bright white against the darker background, like a flashing neon sign saying, “We’re over here!” To cover more ground, we sent our semi-covered vessel, Kula, in one direction and our open vessel, Keta, in another. This strategy is key, as we locate whales every trip using only our eyes, so conditions that help with visibility, like today’s, are a bonus! Our range is quite large; on any given day, we might find ourselves near Victoria or Vancouver, as far north as Comox, or even crossing into U.S. waters. Today, it was Kula that first spotted a pair of humpback whales. Keta turned around to join, and soon we were with two familiar faces: Helen (BCX1710 calf of 2022) and Mow (BCY0523 calf of 2023). We can guess all day what they’re up to, but today, they seemed focused on one thing—food. Every year, humpbacks make an epic migration from the warm breeding grounds of Hawaii, Mexico, and even parts of Central America to the rich feeding waters of the Pacific Northwest. It’s a journey of over 4,000 miles, and they often do it on an empty stomach, fasting for up to six months. Along the way, they face serious challenges, including entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, and the ever-growing impact of ocean noise and pollution. Yet, year after year, these resilient giants return—an awe-inspiring reminder of their strength and the critical need to protect their migratory routes. After some quality time observing Helen and Mow, we left them to feed in peace and continued our journey, spotting many more amazing species along the way!

We got to meet both species of sea lions today, the Steller Sea Lions and their smaller cousins, the California Sea Lions. Steller Sea Lions and California Sea Lions are both highly mobile marine mammals, but their migration patterns differ. Stellers typically migrate seasonally along the Pacific coast, moving between rookeries in Alaska and feeding areas as far south as California. California, meanwhile, breed primarily on the Channel Islands and migrates north after the breeding season, often reaching Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Both species face hazards like entanglement, declining fish stocks, and increased human activity, but their adaptability and strength help them navigate the shifting seas.

We met our Bald Eagles and even had a little fuzzy surprise in their nest! Bald eagles are partial migrants, with their movement patterns varying by region. In colder northern areas like Alaska and Canada, many eagles migrate south in winter to find open water and food, often gathering near rivers, lakes, and coastlines in the Pacific Northwest. In more temperate regions, some bald eagles remain year-round. Their movements are closely tied to food availability, especially fish, and they rely on healthy habitats and clean waterways to thrive. These majestic birds remind us of the vital connection between wildlife and seasonal rhythms.

Another one of our large raptors made an appearance, the turkey vulture. Each spring, turkey vultures return to the Pacific Northwest after wintering in Central and South America. Riding warm air thermals, these graceful scavengers travel thousands of miles with minimal effort, often in large groups called a kettle. Their migration marks the changing seasons and plays a vital role in the ecosystem, as turkey vultures help clean the landscape by feeding on carrion. Despite their eerie reputation, they are essential, efficient recyclers of the natural world!

Our final stop was the majestic Gabriola Bluffs, where we spent time with the cormorants. Cormorants migrate to the Pacific Northwest each year, drawn by the region’s abundant coastal and inland waters. While some species, like the double-crested cormorant, are year-round residents, others migrate north in spring to breed and feed. These skilled divers follow fish-rich waterways, often nesting in colonies on cliffs, trees, or man-made structures. As both residents and migrants, cormorants are a key part of the region’s aquatic ecosystems, balancing their role as predators with the health of local fish populations.

After all that wildlife, it was time for us to migrate back to the dock!

Please enjoy these photos taken by Marine Naturalists Cheyenne Brewster and Hayleigh Hilbert.