September 13, 2006

Initially the morning did not look well for the sightings of Cetaceans. The sky was grey, the whales elusive and there was even a bit of swell off the coast past Race Rocks. However, as we returned from our unsuccessful venture out to sea the whales showed themselves in the true colors of the Orcas Spirit. The Transient Orcas were seen amid the small island of Race Rocks foraging for unsuspecting seals and sea lions that were resting upon the shores. We excitedly saw whale hunting in action as the whales cruised stealthily within 8-10 feet from the shore, sending scores of sea lions into alarm. Fortunately we did not witness a kill, but rather saw the whales continue to drift among the islands as we drifted back to Victoria Harbour.

With the early morning sightings of Transient Orcas we headed straight towards Race Rocks to see our friends. They had drifted up the West Coast and we made a leisurely cruise following them at a safe distance. One curious whale preformed a “spy hop” and surfaced above the water to view us with her eyes. Two other whales swam rapidly past us in a dramatic display of “porpoising.” Even when we thought we had our fill of these wondrous female orcas, a giant male orca joined them out of nowhere with his 6 foot dorsal fin protruding noticeably above water. An exciting display of behavior.