June 02, 10:30am departure. Epic search for 20... Details
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Story: Reports of a large number of orca near Protection Isle, located at the mouth of Puget Sound, made the rounds on the docks this morning.
J pod was still offshore, and L and K pods were yet to make their 2009 appearance here in their summer feeding grounds. Other than a group of 4-5 Gray Whales feeding in Boundary Bay and a single large Gray reported near Deception Pass on Whidbey Island some 20 miles north of the rumoured Transients, these "T's" were the only whales around that I knew of. Orca are what everyone comes to see and with the local industry's fastest boat at my command it only made sense to go for it.
Two other vessels made the long trek to Protection Isle and Cheri aboard the RIB "Aquatic Dancer", who had departed much earlier than us at 9am, confirmed the sighting with fishermen nearby. Another RIB and ourselves searched for hours east and south of protection Island, working in the direction the fishermen reported the orca were traveling at the time.
Transient orca, however, are successful hunters because they are stealthy, unpredictable animqls that will pop up when and where least expected. The fact is, we were totally eluded! Still, with very calm seas a 40+ Knt cruising speed meant I could still visit the Whidbey Island Gray whale and show my pasengers the beautiful Eagle's nest at Minor Isle along the way. Not so bad a trip all in all.
Other vessels were slowly making their way in the direction of the rumoured Orca and so it was that during our stop at Minor Isle contact with the Transents was reported far west of the initial report. Those "T's" had changed direction after the sighting and we were searching in the wrong spot! Oh well, mMinor was spectacular and we extended the trip in order to view the rare and spectaclar gathering of over 20 transient killer whales.
Transients tend to move in their small groups silently, usually around seal haulouts. The optimum number of orcas in a hunting party is three, since three can most easily detect and surround mammalian prey. Occasionally transients may gather in group of a dozen or more and can also be quite acrobatic during socializing sessions. Seals and porpoises may be tossed around like a frisbee, batted into the air with powerful tail slaps, or held underwater until drowned.
We witnessed no such violent activity but their traveling together in such a large group was in itself a sight to behold. Passengers whispered their awe to me and each other, quietly taking in the scene as groups of the stealthy black beauties slipped beneath the waves while others arrived in view with a loud whoosh of breath and sharp visual appearance of thier large dorsal fins.
Every trip is so unique and each experience rewarding in the sense of getting to observe and share people's reactions to the beauty of nature and the obvious power of the orca. Another successful mission.
J pod was still offshore, and L and K pods were yet to make their 2009 appearance here in their summer feeding grounds. Other than a group of 4-5 Gray Whales feeding in Boundary Bay and a single large Gray reported near Deception Pass on Whidbey Island some 20 miles north of the rumoured Transients, these "T's" were the only whales around that I knew of. Orca are what everyone comes to see and with the local industry's fastest boat at my command it only made sense to go for it.
Two other vessels made the long trek to Protection Isle and Cheri aboard the RIB "Aquatic Dancer", who had departed much earlier than us at 9am, confirmed the sighting with fishermen nearby. Another RIB and ourselves searched for hours east and south of protection Island, working in the direction the fishermen reported the orca were traveling at the time.
Transient orca, however, are successful hunters because they are stealthy, unpredictable animqls that will pop up when and where least expected. The fact is, we were totally eluded! Still, with very calm seas a 40+ Knt cruising speed meant I could still visit the Whidbey Island Gray whale and show my pasengers the beautiful Eagle's nest at Minor Isle along the way. Not so bad a trip all in all.
Other vessels were slowly making their way in the direction of the rumoured Orca and so it was that during our stop at Minor Isle contact with the Transents was reported far west of the initial report. Those "T's" had changed direction after the sighting and we were searching in the wrong spot! Oh well, mMinor was spectacular and we extended the trip in order to view the rare and spectaclar gathering of over 20 transient killer whales.
Transients tend to move in their small groups silently, usually around seal haulouts. The optimum number of orcas in a hunting party is three, since three can most easily detect and surround mammalian prey. Occasionally transients may gather in group of a dozen or more and can also be quite acrobatic during socializing sessions. Seals and porpoises may be tossed around like a frisbee, batted into the air with powerful tail slaps, or held underwater until drowned.
We witnessed no such violent activity but their traveling together in such a large group was in itself a sight to behold. Passengers whispered their awe to me and each other, quietly taking in the scene as groups of the stealthy black beauties slipped beneath the waves while others arrived in view with a loud whoosh of breath and sharp visual appearance of thier large dorsal fins.
Every trip is so unique and each experience rewarding in the sense of getting to observe and share people's reactions to the beauty of nature and the obvious power of the orca. Another successful mission.
Tags: orca, killer whales, humpback whales, Whale, whale watchingGeonames: , Victoria, Port Williams, McGees (historical), Dungeness, Swantown, Old Town, Glen Cove
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