Sunday, September 23

This morning, we travelled to San Juan Island in search of resident orcas. Shortly after arising at the island, we encountered some K-pod whales travelling slowly northbound north of Pile Point. Among the first whales to swim by were Raggedy (K40) and Cappucino (K21). Echolocation clicks and surface behaviour indicated that many of the whales were foraging. We were fortunate to see a fantastic spyhop and even a breach from a young whale. Following K-pod was a large group of L-pod whales that were in a semi-resting pattern as they travelled nortbound tight against the coast. After a lovely encounter with Skana (L79), we headed back towards Victoria. A brief wildlife stop in the Chain Islets was an excellent way to end the trip!

For the afternoon trip, we headed to San Juan Island, just north of Lime Kiln State Park where we found several orcas heading in a southerly direction. We had received news that J-pod had met up with K and L-pod, meaning we now had a superpod! This meant that we were in for an incredible afternoon and the whales did not disappoint. We were positioned in a tide rip about a mile or so offshore, a perfect position to watch the orca parade. While listening to the chatter of the whales through our hydrophone, we were privileged to some spectacular behaviour above the water with cartwheels, breaches, spyhops and tail slaps. Midway through our trip, on our way to reposition, we found some Dall's porpoise - the fastest cetacean in the ocean. We were entertained by the antics of the whales as they rode our bow wave! After spending some time with a large male orca, we headed back to the harbour.

Our Sunday evening trip was an incredible private viewing experience spent in the calm waters of Hein Bank. On the way to the southern residents, we encountered a playful group of Dall's porpoises who took the time to play in our wake. When we arrived with the whales, we were thrilled to encounter a large group of whales in an amorous mood. It was a wonderful evening in absolutely flat seas. We watched in fascination as we listened to the calls of the whales over hydrophone, as we watched a young male "interact" with a couple of females. We visited with a young mother and calf and observed a variety of behaviours including pectoral slapping, tail slapping, spyhopping and even a few chase behaviours as there was undoubtedly some fishing going on as well. While watching the orcas, we also had a nice pass with a minke whale that was feeding in the nutrient rich waters of Hein Bank. Satisfied with another incredible trip, we headed back to Victoria into the setting sun.