No calls but orcas nearby
The dolphins have all gone through to Johnstone Strait. meanwhile, the orcas in Queen Charlotte Strait have been identified as A37, A46 (the remaining two brothers of the A36s) and A12. They are till lingering off of Lizard Point. No direction home yet. Still west of Blackfish Sound and out of range. Jared Towers supplied the identification.
Helena
03 Jul 2010 11:19:00 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
The A36s, with A12, are reported to be heading east in Blackfish Sound. They are silent, but there's a good chance we'll see them soon!
Helena
03 Jul 2010 15:08:00 PDT
Superb sounds!!
The A36s, with A12, are just now entering Johnstone Strait. They called before entry - so great to hear them again!
Helena
03 Jul 2010 16:47:09 PDT
Superb sounds!!
These lovely calls are from the two A36 brothers as they near Robson Bight. A12 led the brothers into Johnstone Strait at 4:41pm. We have heard her only briefly so far.
Helena
03 Jul 2010 18:58:34 PDT
Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Yes! They got to the beaches! First rub of the season.
Helena
03 Jul 2010 19:39:38 PDT
Orcas hunting fish.
And now back to Robson Bight!
Helena
03 Jul 2010 20:20:14 PDT
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Saturday, January 02, 2010
A36s and A12 still together
Happy New Year everyone, I believe this community would be interested to know that the A36s were in front of our Lab on New Years eve and A12 was with them. It was awesome to see her still traveling with the boys. Best wishes, Hermann&Janie
Cetacealab@Gil Island
02 Jan 2010 08:41:55 PST
Cetacealab@Gil Island
02 Jan 2010 08:41:55 PST
Friday, December 04, 2009
A36s still with
No calls but orcas nearby
Heard great news from Jared Towers tonight! He saw A12 with the A36s near Scarlett Point today. This is not far from Port Hardy. Perhaps, just maybe they will be kind enough to "drop down" our way in the near future. So amazing to think this bond between these whales has lasted so long.
Helena
04 Dec 2009 22:27:18 PST
Heard great news from Jared Towers tonight! He saw A12 with the A36s near Scarlett Point today. This is not far from Port Hardy. Perhaps, just maybe they will be kind enough to "drop down" our way in the near future. So amazing to think this bond between these whales has lasted so long.
Helena
04 Dec 2009 22:27:18 PST
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A36s last heard in Blackfish Sound
No orcas present.
Sorry, the streaming is gone again for a bit while we sort out new IP addresses. Since yesterday, there is not much to report except around 5pm a group of at least 7 orcas passed CP on their way to the east. These whales were reported to have come in via Weynton Pass although there is some confusion as visual IDs were not available and the whales were not vocal. They passed on to Boat bay and then started to cross over toward the east end of the Reserve. As far as we know the I15s were eastbound on the Vancouver Island shore during this time. They also got to the beaches and from there we thinks they may have carried on to the east. But this is also not 100% clear as there were no calls to give additional clues after 8:08pm. We are waiting to see how the day unfolds. The A36s were the last vocal whales in Blackfish Sound yesterday evening (8pm) and they may still not be too far away as they seemed to not be entirely committed to leaving this area. There was a report a short while ago of 2 whales off of Lizard Point in Queen Charlotte Sound. Dolphins continue to tour the area and can be heard from time to time.
Helena
26 Aug 2009 09:47:37 PDT
Sorry, the streaming is gone again for a bit while we sort out new IP addresses. Since yesterday, there is not much to report except around 5pm a group of at least 7 orcas passed CP on their way to the east. These whales were reported to have come in via Weynton Pass although there is some confusion as visual IDs were not available and the whales were not vocal. They passed on to Boat bay and then started to cross over toward the east end of the Reserve. As far as we know the I15s were eastbound on the Vancouver Island shore during this time. They also got to the beaches and from there we thinks they may have carried on to the east. But this is also not 100% clear as there were no calls to give additional clues after 8:08pm. We are waiting to see how the day unfolds. The A36s were the last vocal whales in Blackfish Sound yesterday evening (8pm) and they may still not be too far away as they seemed to not be entirely committed to leaving this area. There was a report a short while ago of 2 whales off of Lizard Point in Queen Charlotte Sound. Dolphins continue to tour the area and can be heard from time to time.
Helena
26 Aug 2009 09:47:37 PDT
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Large crowd
Multiple pod calls audible.
The very large "crowd" that was reported being in Queen Charlotte Strait yesterday, is beginning to arrive. This happens several hours after the A8s rushed out of Blackfish Sound. So far we have heard, the A30s, A4s,A5s and I15s.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 03:50:14 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Moving in... using every available route. We now are hearing Bs and possibly I31 calls already in Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass as the A4s move through Blackney on their way to the Strait as well. Getting very crowded!
Helena
25 Aug 2009 04:27:06 PDT
Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Some of the orcas have reached the rubbing beaches, others are in Robson Bight, others are headed east past Alert Bay, others are still coming. The movemenr is generally eastward.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 08:37:53 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Boy, this is busy! First a probable correction is needed. the Bs may not be there. It was a mistake of hearing the word "Bs" for "Ds" in the early morning. What is clear is that the A1s, A4s, and A5s came into Johnstone Strait along with the I15s and I31s between 4 and 5am. The Ds never seemed to come very far to the east so we are not sure where they are now. There is a sleepy group west bound between Alert Bay and Haddington Island on the Vancouver Island pointed toward Malcolm Island. This may be the C6s. There is another large group (whales everywhere today) between Cormorant Island and Malcolm Island heading toward Sointula. The Johnstone Strait whales are west bound from the beaches to Robson Bight spread out from the Cracroft Island shore to Vancouver Island. Whew! hang on to your hats!
Helena
25 Aug 2009 09:59:39 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
We now know a bit more of today's distribution: the C6s and G25s are the westbound,sleepy group headed to haddington island; the Ds (all) and I22/39 are the sointula group;the i33s just went by the Cliff a short while ago following the A36s. It is not clear where the the rest of the As and I15s are at the moment.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 10:44:42 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
the orca shuffle continues: westbound in the Strait are the A30s, A36s,I31s and the I15s. They are spread out from Little Kaikash (west of CP) back to Izumi Rock (the A30s,I15s and maybe part of the I31s along the Vacouver Island side, while the A36s and I33s are on the Cracroft Island side). Eastbound are most likely the A4s,A5s and A12s ,now past the Eve River
Helena
25 Aug 2009 11:12:56 PDT
Orcas near mics.
The I33s just went north through Blackney Pass and are now westbound in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 12:12:16 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
Here is another correction. The A30s are probably back with their regular company heading east at Hickey Point. (A12s,A4s,A5s and A30s). the two males seen on the Vancouver Island side ahead of the I15s earlier may have been the rest of the I31s (the I33s went north through Blackney Pass). the A36s ended up going through Weynton pass and we heard them as they crossed the top end of Blackfish Sound following the I33s out to the west. The I15s are currently off the entrance to Weynton pass deciding on their next move. The I31s may be with them. Complicated day to say the least.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 14:32:32 PDT
The very large "crowd" that was reported being in Queen Charlotte Strait yesterday, is beginning to arrive. This happens several hours after the A8s rushed out of Blackfish Sound. So far we have heard, the A30s, A4s,A5s and I15s.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 03:50:14 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Moving in... using every available route. We now are hearing Bs and possibly I31 calls already in Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass as the A4s move through Blackney on their way to the Strait as well. Getting very crowded!
Helena
25 Aug 2009 04:27:06 PDT
Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Some of the orcas have reached the rubbing beaches, others are in Robson Bight, others are headed east past Alert Bay, others are still coming. The movemenr is generally eastward.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 08:37:53 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Boy, this is busy! First a probable correction is needed. the Bs may not be there. It was a mistake of hearing the word "Bs" for "Ds" in the early morning. What is clear is that the A1s, A4s, and A5s came into Johnstone Strait along with the I15s and I31s between 4 and 5am. The Ds never seemed to come very far to the east so we are not sure where they are now. There is a sleepy group west bound between Alert Bay and Haddington Island on the Vancouver Island pointed toward Malcolm Island. This may be the C6s. There is another large group (whales everywhere today) between Cormorant Island and Malcolm Island heading toward Sointula. The Johnstone Strait whales are west bound from the beaches to Robson Bight spread out from the Cracroft Island shore to Vancouver Island. Whew! hang on to your hats!
Helena
25 Aug 2009 09:59:39 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
We now know a bit more of today's distribution: the C6s and G25s are the westbound,sleepy group headed to haddington island; the Ds (all) and I22/39 are the sointula group;the i33s just went by the Cliff a short while ago following the A36s. It is not clear where the the rest of the As and I15s are at the moment.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 10:44:42 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
the orca shuffle continues: westbound in the Strait are the A30s, A36s,I31s and the I15s. They are spread out from Little Kaikash (west of CP) back to Izumi Rock (the A30s,I15s and maybe part of the I31s along the Vacouver Island side, while the A36s and I33s are on the Cracroft Island side). Eastbound are most likely the A4s,A5s and A12s ,now past the Eve River
Helena
25 Aug 2009 11:12:56 PDT
Orcas near mics.
The I33s just went north through Blackney Pass and are now westbound in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 12:12:16 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
Here is another correction. The A30s are probably back with their regular company heading east at Hickey Point. (A12s,A4s,A5s and A30s). the two males seen on the Vancouver Island side ahead of the I15s earlier may have been the rest of the I31s (the I33s went north through Blackney Pass). the A36s ended up going through Weynton pass and we heard them as they crossed the top end of Blackfish Sound following the I33s out to the west. The I15s are currently off the entrance to Weynton pass deciding on their next move. The I31s may be with them. Complicated day to say the least.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 14:32:32 PDT
Friday, August 14, 2009
A12s and A36s went north
No orcas present.
It was pretty "quiet" last night after the A12s and A36s went north through Blackney Pass. Then at 3am, the A5s came back from the east to the Rubbing Beaches. Their rub began at 3:20 and lasted until 3:31am. The A24s and the A30s were heard too but they were further off shore. Everything then shifted to the west and by 3:48am they were opposite Robson Bight. At the change of tide (to the flood) the calls from all three groups became more frequent. Occasionally, there was faint echo location. Just after 6am, the calls were very distant and ended soon afterward.
Helena
14 Aug 2009 08:08:53 PDT
It was pretty "quiet" last night after the A12s and A36s went north through Blackney Pass. Then at 3am, the A5s came back from the east to the Rubbing Beaches. Their rub began at 3:20 and lasted until 3:31am. The A24s and the A30s were heard too but they were further off shore. Everything then shifted to the west and by 3:48am they were opposite Robson Bight. At the change of tide (to the flood) the calls from all three groups became more frequent. Occasionally, there was faint echo location. Just after 6am, the calls were very distant and ended soon afterward.
Helena
14 Aug 2009 08:08:53 PDT
Thursday, August 13, 2009
A36s not far from the A12s
Distant calls audible.
Sorry, the internet on the North Island was down yesterday afternoon & evening, so lets start with what is happening now. We are hearing distant resting calls in Johnstone Strait and despite the fog there was a report at 7:30am from Norm on the Western Moon that there were 2 groups heading west from Blinkhorn. At the same time, the Tyee reported a large group of whales spread out off Lizard Point & heading east. Possibly, these are newcomers! During the night: from 7pm to 8pm we listened as the A30s, A24s and A5s approached and passed Critical Point on their way to the Beaches. From 8:11pm to 8:42, the A5s, A30s and A24s stayed off the east end of the Reserve, enjoying a rub from 8:16pm to 8:26pm. By 10:18pm these groups, led by the A5s and A30s, were passing Robson Bight to the west. After midnight, they turned and once again passed the Bight, just before 2am. It was then back to the beaches for a rub starting at 2:37am. The close calls there ended around 3am, and then it was off to the Bight once again. The A30s arrived there first by 4:10am, with the A24s and A5s lingering further east till 5:04am. After that, there was a general movement west with the A30s remaining close to Robson Bight until 5:30am. The distant westbound calls dropped off by 6:14am and picked up again at 7:50am. By this time the groups were off Blinkhorn as reported. Very foggy out there this morning! Helena
Helena
13 Aug 2009 08:49:42 PDT
Orcas hunting fish.
These A1 calls and echo location are on Flower island in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
13 Aug 2009 10:30:23 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
We had the nice surprise of seeing the A34s come through Blackney Pass. They were in Blackfish Sound earlier with the A36s. The A36s have not yet come "down". As the A34s entered Johnstone Strait, the resting A30s,A24s and A5s turned quickly next to the Pig Ranch on Cracroft Island (east of the Sophia Islands) and started west to meet the incoming whales. A34 and A12 were a pair, well ahead, of the rest of their group as they came through Blackney Pass. This was a touching picture,for sure.
Helena
13 Aug 2009 12:18:19 PDT
Orcas near mics.
The A12s have just passed north through Blackney Pass with the A36s following (very vocal!).
Helena
13 Aug 2009 21:42:16 PDT
Seasmoke reports
Heading out this afternoon the orcas who were west in Johnstone Strait earlier in the day had turned back and were heading east which is very typical of the pattern that they had been displaying in their movement in the Strait all week long. The pods included the incoming A34’s (A12’s daughter and her family, as well A12 was travelling with them), A30’s, A23’s, A25’s, A8’s and the A24’s. Meanwhile, the A36’s (brothers three) who had been in Blackfish Sound earlier in the morning had disappeared to the west with no sighting of them reported after this. With this in mind we headed to the east as well, hoping that the orcas would turn back as we travelled. They had been moving at a steady pace but then they stalled and as we neared the Ecological Reserve we saw them as they made their way, cutting across the Strait to the rubbing beaches. Keeping outside of the Reserve boundary passengers could only watch from the distance, A39 was foraging intensely, already making his way back to the west and was seen foraging inside the estuary of the Reserve.
Sorry, the internet on the North Island was down yesterday afternoon & evening, so lets start with what is happening now. We are hearing distant resting calls in Johnstone Strait and despite the fog there was a report at 7:30am from Norm on the Western Moon that there were 2 groups heading west from Blinkhorn. At the same time, the Tyee reported a large group of whales spread out off Lizard Point & heading east. Possibly, these are newcomers! During the night: from 7pm to 8pm we listened as the A30s, A24s and A5s approached and passed Critical Point on their way to the Beaches. From 8:11pm to 8:42, the A5s, A30s and A24s stayed off the east end of the Reserve, enjoying a rub from 8:16pm to 8:26pm. By 10:18pm these groups, led by the A5s and A30s, were passing Robson Bight to the west. After midnight, they turned and once again passed the Bight, just before 2am. It was then back to the beaches for a rub starting at 2:37am. The close calls there ended around 3am, and then it was off to the Bight once again. The A30s arrived there first by 4:10am, with the A24s and A5s lingering further east till 5:04am. After that, there was a general movement west with the A30s remaining close to Robson Bight until 5:30am. The distant westbound calls dropped off by 6:14am and picked up again at 7:50am. By this time the groups were off Blinkhorn as reported. Very foggy out there this morning! Helena
Helena
13 Aug 2009 08:49:42 PDT
Orcas hunting fish.
These A1 calls and echo location are on Flower island in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
13 Aug 2009 10:30:23 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
We had the nice surprise of seeing the A34s come through Blackney Pass. They were in Blackfish Sound earlier with the A36s. The A36s have not yet come "down". As the A34s entered Johnstone Strait, the resting A30s,A24s and A5s turned quickly next to the Pig Ranch on Cracroft Island (east of the Sophia Islands) and started west to meet the incoming whales. A34 and A12 were a pair, well ahead, of the rest of their group as they came through Blackney Pass. This was a touching picture,for sure.
Helena
13 Aug 2009 12:18:19 PDT
Orcas near mics.
The A12s have just passed north through Blackney Pass with the A36s following (very vocal!).
Helena
13 Aug 2009 21:42:16 PDT
Seasmoke reports
Heading out this afternoon the orcas who were west in Johnstone Strait earlier in the day had turned back and were heading east which is very typical of the pattern that they had been displaying in their movement in the Strait all week long. The pods included the incoming A34’s (A12’s daughter and her family, as well A12 was travelling with them), A30’s, A23’s, A25’s, A8’s and the A24’s. Meanwhile, the A36’s (brothers three) who had been in Blackfish Sound earlier in the morning had disappeared to the west with no sighting of them reported after this. With this in mind we headed to the east as well, hoping that the orcas would turn back as we travelled. They had been moving at a steady pace but then they stalled and as we neared the Ecological Reserve we saw them as they made their way, cutting across the Strait to the rubbing beaches. Keeping outside of the Reserve boundary passengers could only watch from the distance, A39 was foraging intensely, already making his way back to the west and was seen foraging inside the estuary of the Reserve.
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