We set off from the dock this afternoon aboard our open vessel, Cascadia, with a destination in mind. We had reports of humpbacks across the Strait from this morning’s tour. Sure enough, before long, we spotted the unmistakable sight of tall, misty blows rising high into the sky. It was Spock (BCY1134) and Beak (BCX1606), a pair of humpbacks that have been frequently sighted together in recent encounters. They were likely feeding, as each individual needs to consume up to 3,000 pounds (1.5 metric tons) of food per day while in their summer feeding grounds. Humpback whales are baleen whales, meaning they don’t have teeth; instead, they use plates of fringed baleen to filter food from the water. Their diet includes small schooling fish such as herring, sand lance, and capelin, as well as tiny crustaceans like krill and copepods. During the summer months in cold, nutrient-rich waters, humpbacks feed intensively to build up the fat reserves needed for their long migrations. Remarkably, despite their enormous size, they survive on some of the ocean’s smallest creatures.

After spending time with Spock and Beak, we noticed splashing nearby and went to investigate. It was another humpback, this time not feeding but creating quite a commotion with powerful slaps of its 16-18-foot-long pectoral fins. It was Kraken/Monarch/Pyramid (BCZ0180), possibly trying to attract the attention of the others. We believe this dramatic slapping behaviour, which produces a loud thump when the fin strikes the surface, is one of the ways humpbacks communicate. After a few energetic slaps, Kraken slipped beneath the surface and continued on their way.

With more time to explore, our luck continued on this Friday the 13th when we spotted something else along the Sunshine Coast - a finmiliar dorsal fin slicing through the water. It was none other than the famous orca, Chainsaw, accompanied by his mother, Whidbey, out for a swim:

T065 Whidbey II ♀ (~1971)
T063 Chainsaw ♂ (~1978)

We often spot these two patrolling close to shore - why? Transient orcas, also known as Bigg’s killer whales, are skilled marine mammal hunters that often travel close to shorelines in search of prey. These apex predators use stealth and surprise to target animals like harbour seals, sea lions, porpoises, and even small whales. Hunting near rocky outcrops, kelp forests, and shallow bays allows them to take advantage of the terrain, using it to corner or ambush unsuspecting prey. A single adult Transient orca can consume between 100 to 300 pounds of food per day, depending on the size and type of prey. They typically travel in small, tightly bonded family groups and communicate with minimal vocalization to avoid alerting their prey, a sharp contrast to the more social and vocal resident orca that feed on fish. After leaving this iconic pair to their travels, we had more to see!

We stopped at the White Islets, which were teeming with life this afternoon. First up, we spotted the giant Steller Sea Lions having a snack or two. Steller Sea Lions are opportunistic predators with a varied diet that includes over 100 species of fish and invertebrates. Their primary food sources are schooling fish such as herring, pollock, salmon, and hake, as well as squid and octopus. An adult Steller Sea Lion can consume between 5% to 8% of its body weight in food per day, amounting to roughly 30 to 70 pounds, depending on the individual’s size and activity level.
Benefiting from the Steller snacking on a fish, we also witnessed a gull grabbing leftovers. Gulls are highly adaptable and opportunistic feeders, known for their diverse diet and clever foraging habits. They eat a wide range of food, including fish, marine invertebrates, insects, small mammals, eggs, and even other birds. Along coastal areas, they often scavenge along the shoreline, raid seabird colonies, and follow fishing boats to snatch discarded fish. Gulls are also frequent visitors to landfills and urban environments, where they take advantage of human food waste. Their intelligence is evident in their behaviour, for example, some have been observed dropping shellfish onto rocks to crack them open or using traffic to crush hard-shelled prey. This dietary flexibility has allowed gulls to thrive in a variety of environments, from remote islands to bustling cities.
We also spotted some big, round eyes looking at us from the rocks; it was our adorable little Harbour Seals. Harbour Seals have a varied diet that primarily consists of fish, but they also consume squid, octopus, and crustaceans, depending on what is available in their environment. Common fish species in their diet include herring, cod, pollock, and flatfish. As opportunistic feeders, Harbour Seals tend to forage in coastal waters and estuaries. They typically eat between 4% to 6% of their body weight each day, which amounts to roughly 5 to 20 pounds of food for an average adult. Their foraging behaviour is influenced by prey availability, tides, and even time of day, making them adaptable and efficient hunters in a wide range of marine habitats.

Once we wrapped up our encounter with all the animals having a buffet at the White Islelets, we departed, heading back to Nanaimo after enjoying another day with all the wonderful wildlife.

Please enjoy the photos below taken by Marine Naturalist Aly Kohlman.

June 13, 2025, 3:30 PM - A double double in the Strait!