We pushed off the dock this lovely afternoon on Kula our semi-covered vessel, and popped out into the Strait to see what we could spot. As we travelled along following Gabriola Island our first stop was at a popular seal and sea lion haulout we call “Stinky Rocks!” When visiting seal and sea lion haulouts, one of the first things you’ll notice, before you even spot the animals, is the strong, unmistakable smell. Both harbour seals and Steller Sea Lions have diets rich in oily fish, octopus and squid, which contribute to their particularly pungent aroma. At haulout sites, where dozens or even hundreds of individuals gather to rest and warm up in the sun, the smell can be overpowering. It’s a mix of fish breath, sunbaked blubber, and the natural waste that accumulates in these crowded spots. While the scent might wrinkle a few noses, it's just another sign of a thriving marine ecosystem and a reminder that these wild animals are living, breathing parts of the ocean food web. After spending time enjoying our stinky friends fighting it out for the best spot on the rocks, we were excited to find some whales, so we continued south along Gabriola.

We saw at least two blows from a distance, these were towering, backlit, bushy blows, and we could tell these were humpbacks! Out came the zoom lens to get a few photos for identification. This pair was Niagara (BCY0057) and Helen (KEX0077). We watched these two mosey along slowly, travelling and diving, lifting those beautiful flukes. A humpback whale’s tail, or fluke, is one of its most impressive features, both in size and function. Spanning up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide, it’s roughly the width of a two-car garage and can weigh several hundred pounds. Each fluke is unique, with its own pattern of black and white markings and scars, which scientists use to identify individual whales, much like a fingerprint. These tails aren’t just for show; they’re powerful tools that help propel these 40-ton whales through the water with grace and surprising agility.

The fluke also plays a major role in humpback behaviour. When a humpback raises its tail high out of the water before a deep dive, a move known as fluking, it’s using the full force of its massive muscles to push itself downward. Humpbacks can also use their tails in dramatic ways, such as tail slapping or tail lobbing, where they smash their flukes against the surface, creating loud sounds that can travel great distances underwater. Whether for diving, swimming, or communication, the humpback’s tail is truly a marvel of marine adaptation. After spending time with our humpbacks, we decided to shoot across the Strait and see what we could spot on the Sunshine Coast.

We didn’t have to look too hard before we spotted a legend cutting through the waves! It was our very own mascot, Chainsaw and his mother, Whidbey ll.

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

In orca society, the bond between a male orca and his mother is one of the strongest in the animal kingdom. Unlike many other mammals, male orca remain with their mothers for their entire lives! These family pods are led by the eldest female, often the grandmother, and consist of her offspring and their descendants. Within this tight-knit structure, a male orca’s mother plays a critical role, not just during his early years, but throughout his life.

Research has shown that male orca are particularly dependent on their mothers, both socially and for survival. Males tend to be less independent than females and rely on their mothers for leadership, social cohesion, and sometimes even help with hunting. A fascinating study revealed that when an adult male loses his mother, his chance of survival can drop significantly, especially if she is his closest remaining relative. This underscores how vital the maternal bond is, even for fully grown, powerful males.

These strong social connections contribute to the complex emotional lives of orca. Mothers will often be seen swimming close to their sons, and there are documented instances of older mothers sharing food with their adult male offspring. In turn, males may act protectively toward their mothers, sticking close during interactions with other pods. This lifelong bond highlights the deep familial structure and emotional intelligence of orca, making them one of the most socially complex marine species on the planet. We left these two to their travels and pointed our bow back home.

Before we could make it, we stumbled upon what we like to call humpback soup! Think of chunky soup, and the humpbacks are the noodles popping up everywhere! We had around 6 spouts blowing around us, a good problem to have when you’re not sure which direction to look! Although these humpbacks were fairly far apart from each other, we were able to get at least one fluke photo! This was Hendrix (BCY1278). Hendrix was associating with another who remains unknown to us at this point. We did get a dorsal shot, so if we do get an identification in the future, we will update this blog! We had to finish our soup and head back before the sunset, but not before getting a few photos of those beautiful blows on the horizon.

Enjoy the photos below taken by Jordan Robinson.

June 28, 2025, 3:30 PM - Chainsaw and Whidbey, plus a bowl of Humpback Soup!