Northern Resident Killer Whales (A8/42’s) in Foggy Powell River
The fog truly played havoc with anyone trying to see anything on the water, let alone those travelling by road. Fog rolled in and although we had thoughts of it possibly lifting here and there, it socked us in for days on end. Today, with some rain, it’s finally cleared (almost entirely). Trying to spot any whales had been virtually impossible except for a few days where the fog banks drifted around a bit more. The A8/42’s were the main focus in the central Georgia Strait as they did keep reappearing off of Powell River. Hopes of a new report today after the fog lifted dwindled as it got darker. So, although this report covers Cetacean Sightings up to January 28th, the last actual report was of Harbour Porpoise in the fog on January 25th.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Every sighting report is valuable
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
NRKW A8’s / A42’s
January 22, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
January 23:
11:25 am Looks like the same Orca foraging back and forth in front again. 2 smaller whales are together, but separate from the others.
Shirley Randall, Beacon Bed and Breakfast, Powell River
January 23:
11:46 am: Killer whales outside Westview viewpoint (Powell River) heading north slowly. One large and 2 or 3 smaller ones, hard to tell in the fog.
Wendy Price, Powell River (Email)
January 23:
11:28 am: The A8’s are presently foraging between Westview and Grief Point, moving slowly northward.
Geord Dunstan, Texada Water Taxi, Stubbs Island Whale Watching.
January 22:
8:00 am: Three killer whales foraging in front of Van Anda (Texada Island). It looks like some of the A8’s. They are moving slowly southbound.
8:36 am: Looks like the whole family is here now! They are heading right for Beach Gardens in Powell River! Unfortunately we have a schedule to keep, so gotta go now.Geord Dunstan, Texada Water Taxi, Stubbs Island Whale Watching.
NRKW A103 Tail Lob
January 22, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images
January 22:
8:50 am 2 or more Orca right by Grief Point. There’s 1 large dorsal and 1 with a curved dorsal. They’re Northbound tight to shore. We actually could hear them more than see them through the fog.
John and Joan Treen, Powell River
January 22:
9:05 am 3 to 5 Orca Northbound by a tug out in front of our B&B. (Shirely called back after my request for more info with the fact they could only confirm 4 Orca including a calf and one big male – SM)
Shirley Randall, Beacon Bed and Breakfast, Powell River
January 22:
10:15 am: There are three or four Orca right by the mill in Powell River. They surfaced just by the Hulks then off the mill towards Harwood. There’s 1 Big male, a cow and a calf running tight together.
Derk VanHees, Powell River (Call)
NRKW A???
January 22, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images
January 22:
10:30 am I had been just about out the door to run errands when the call came in from Derk, above. I quickly grabbed my gear and opted to do a quick run out to see if I could find the 6th Orca! Spotted them foraging close to the mill, so I stopped out mid strait between Harwood Island and the Powell River mill to see where, and how many, were truly with A42 etc. I was just sitting there drifting to see them when they seemed to decide what they were going to do. Four of them turned towards me and I just sat there drifting as they came right up to the skiff. The calf popped up to take another look and touch Mom (or the ‘other’ female) while A79 and A88 were stopped right beside me. A couple of squeaks above the water and all four of them decided to pass under the skiff! It was amazing – no, I didn’t get photos – I stood there amazed at their choice. I was so totally in the open, as were they, yet they made the choice to do this, as if to show the calf what a boat and motor was like. We know they teach their young about their surroundings, but this was pretty amazing. They had seen and heard my skiff before, so obviously felt safe enough to pass directly underneath me. Watching all four of them, in this coordinated manoeuvre, pass just under the skiff was breathtaking. No, I never tire of being on the water with these great animals.
Back to my main objective of getting out there. I was trying to find out if we truly have A28 or another female travelling with the A8/42’s. After a number of photos and being sure that A42 cannot be in two places in such short amount of a time, I cannot say for 100% that the 6th Orca isn’t A42 doing a very speedy zip across to A66. It just doesn’t add up that it’s only her. They foraged, looking like they did catch and share their food, spread out from where the river actually comes out by the mill towards Harwood and back.
12:18 pm: Leaving the A8’s/42’s angling towards Atrevida Reef (north east of Harwood island).
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
NRKW A66
January 22, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images
HARBOUR PORPOISE
January 25:
?? (rec’d 4:13 pm) There were two Harbour porpoise off Grief Point (Powell River) this morning.
Jared Towers, Dept. Of Fisheries (trying to find the NRKW’s in the fog – SM)
NRKW A ??
January 22, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images
HUMPBACK WHALES
January 25:
Email from regular reporter holidaying in Maui: Been out with the Pacific Whale Foundation today and saw the Humpbacks in their birthing grounds. So exciting to see a mother and her calf and many others putting on a fine show. Good to see that the 100 yards rule applies here too. Wonderful day out!
Holly Roy, Pebble Beach, Powell River
(but currently in Maui!)
Humpback Whales in Maui
January 25, 2014
Holly Roy, Powell River
LINKS
Lolita the captive killer whale could be returning to B.C. Waters. This headline may be a bit deceptive since the decision is far from over. Read the article:
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