September 14, 2026 - Enjoying the bustling waters with the T037As, T065Bs, and humpbacks

Kula and Cascadia headed out from Nanaimo today, spreading out across the Salish Sea to cover as much ground as possible. By taking different routes, the two boats found themselves starting the day with different kinds of encounters.

Kula headed toward Valdes Island, where two humpbacks were spotted travelling together. The pair were identified as Bond (BCX1640) and Smiley (BCY0995), two familiar whales in our catalogues. Bond has recently developed a large new notch in their fluke, which means some of their older identification photos no longer match their current appearance. This is a good reminder that whale identification is an ongoing process, and that identification catalogues are largely considered ‘living documents’. Even individuals we have known for years can change over time, and our catalogues need updating as those changes occur!

Meanwhile, Cascadia was exploring near Porlier Pass when a group of orcas was spotted. A few quick photographs confirmed the whales were the T037As travelling with the T065Bs:

T037A Volker ♀ (1994)
T037A2 Inky ♂ (2009)

T065B Chunk ♀ (1993)
T065B1 Birdsall ♂ (2011)
T065B2 Nettle ♂ (2019)
T065B3 Rook ♂ (2023)

Kula began making its way towards the orcas, but another pair of humpbacks appeared along the route. The boat stopped briefly to collect identification photos, confirming Stripe (BCZ0004) and Sly/Crescent (BCX1258). Nalu (BCY1072) was also visible on the horizon, fluking as they moved through the area. All three seemed to be simply travelling along, potentially feeding in the depths.

Although it was great to see another familiar group of humpbacks, the encounter was kept short so Kula could continue toward the orca. When they arrived, the orcas appeared to be finishing up a hunt. For much of the encounter, the whales remained relatively stationary, milling around in the same area.

The younger whales and matriarchs interacted with one another, while the two older males stayed farther off to the side. T037A2 Inky and T065B1 Birdsall spent most of their time interacting together away from the rest of the group. Watching different members of the family groups behave differently within the same encounter can offer an interesting glimpse into the complex social dynamics that orca have.

While watching the orca, we spotted a humpback travelling along the horizon. It was quite far away, but the photograph captured was clear enough to identify the whale as Trooper (BCX1854). Although they were in the same general area, Trooper seemed completely uninterested in the orcas, and the orcas appeared equally unconcerned about the humpback. Encounters like this are a nice reminder that different species can share the same waters without necessarily interacting.

After spending some time with the T037As and T065Bs, both boats continued on. Kula began making its way toward one of our heavily populated wildlife haul-outs, while Cascadia headed farther out in search of a humpback encounter of their own.

Near the Flat Top Islands, Cascadia spotted a smaller humpback travelling alongside a much larger whale. The pair were identified as Ocean/Mammoth (BCX1710) and her 2026 calf (BCX1710calf2026). They travelled and dove together, with Ocean/Mammoth regularly lifting her fluke as they prepared to dive. Her calf is still fairly young, though, and was still developing that behaviour, not quite reaching the same full fluke presentation as its mother.

For a young humpback, learning to move through the water is gradual. Calves need to build the strength and coordination required to perform the long, powerful dives that come so naturally to adults. Watching a calf slowly develop these behaviours and build muscle strength gives us a chance to see that learning process firsthand.

Cascadia eventually continued on in search of other wildlife, but soon came across the same humpbacks Kula had encountered earlier. This time, Nalu was no longer with them, but Stripe and Crescent were still travelling together. They enjoyed a couple of surfaces with the pair before leaving them to continue their journey.

Both boats eventually made their way to Stinky Rocks, where the local pinnipeds were taking advantage of the sunshine. Harbour Seals and Steller Sea Lions were scattered across the rocks, most of them doing what pinnipeds do best when a comfortable haul-out is available: resting and soaking up the sun.

With the wildlife settling in for the afternoon, it was time for us to head toward Nanaimo. From humpbacks and orcas to a calf learning the finer points of diving and a collection of seals and sea lions enjoying the sunshine, the Salish Sea provided plenty to discover throughout the day.

Photos by Marine Naturalists Des Poier and Evan Hessls - please enjoy!

Smiley diving. Photo by Evan Hessels.

Smiley and Bond side by side. Photo by Evan Hessels.

Bond fluking. Photo by Evan Hessels.

Smiley’s fluke - can you see how she got her name? Photo by Evan Hessels.

A peek at one of their rostrums. Photo by Evan Hessels.

T037A2 Inky is starting to get so tall! Photo by Evan Hessels.

A weird and wiggly view of T037A2 Inky. Photo by Evan Hessels.

T065B Chunk with her namesake marking visible, and T065B2 Nettle beside her. Photo by Evan Hessels.

T065B3 Rook zipping by. Photo by Evan Hessels.

The males, T065B1 Birdsall and T037A2 Inky, off in the distance together. Photo by Des Poier.

A tiny peek at one of the orca’s faces! Photo by Des Poier.

A tiny blow! Photo by Des Poier.

Two of the orca nose to nose. Photo by Des Poier.

T065B1 Birdsall looks very different depending on the angle you look at him! Photo by Des Poier.

A back view of T065B1 Birdsall. Photo by Des Poier.

T065B3 Rook preparing to dive. Photo by Des Poier.

The matriarchs T065B Chunk and T037A Volker. Photo by Des Poier.

T065B1 Birdsall is pretty intensely scarred up now. Photo by Des Poier.

T065B Chunk with her distinct dorsal fin. Photo by Des Poier.

Trooper off in the distance during the orca encounter. Photo by Evan Hessels.

Ocean/Mammoth’s left flank has some major scars from a previous boat strike incident. Photo by Des Poier.

Ocean/Mammoth fluking beside her calf. Photo by Des Poier.

Ocean/Mammoth fluking. Photo by Des Poier.

Ocean/Mammoth travelling with her calf right beside her. Photo by Des Poier.

Stripe fluking, with his distinct fluke pattern visible. Photo by Des Poier.

Sly/Crescent going down for a dive. Photo by Des Poier.

Nalu fluking in the distance. Photo by Evan Hessels.

A soggy Harbour Seal on the rocks. Photo by Des Poier.

The Harbour Seals can pull off some very interesting poses. Photo by Des Poier.

Harbour Seals come in a variety of colours - as seen here! Photo by Evan Hessels.

Relaxing on Stinky Rocks. Photo by Evan Hessels.

An interesting pose as one of the Harbour Seals makes its way down. Photo by Evan Hessels.

Comfy and cozy. Photo by Evan Hessels.

Bickering amongst the Steller Sea Lions. Photo by Des Poier.

Using eachother as pillows. Photo by Evan Hessels.

Scratching an itch. Photo by Evan Hessels.

A Black Oystercatch and Gull at the end of the rocks. Photo by Des Poier.

A Gull flying overhead.Photo by Evan Hessels.