Tail-Lobbing, Lobtailing, Tail-Slapping all means the same. This action is when an orca slaps its tail against the surface. It can get pretty loud, so some scientists think its probably a method of communication. The whales might also be trying to get rid of unwanted parasites, or they might just enjoy slapping the water! This killer whale is slapping just off the stern of our boat. Note that orca tend to be on their back when tail slapping….
In an instant the mother was in protective mode. Another grizzly appeared on the beach and even though the new bear was a hundred meters (yards) away mother was on alert. The new grizzly was a young male so the mother and cub continued up the beach and the male moved off the beach. No one wants to confront a mother with a cub.
If you have read much of the blog you will know that my camera is a waterproof Pentax Optio Wpi 6MP and 3X Optical Zoom. It is a good camera but does not have a “great” distance lens so I sometime zoom in with the computer and it gets a little “fuzzy”. The point being is that I saw the guest’s photo back at the lodge (because that is what happens in the evening) and they were great. In this photo the cub was using mother as a play toy but that all changed in tomorrow’s post….
We are loading the skiff to return to a float for our picnic lunch after a morning on Knight Inlet’s Glendale River viewing platform. The grizzly of yesterday’s post was further along the beach and yes we were safe even though I was taking photo’s I did have bear spray at hand. Note it was a day with five guests as there were two boats and guides as we only allow four per boat. Even if we ignored the bear or it was closer the key is that we were a large group (seven) and bear would leave, as it had no reason to come closer. We were not preventing it from feeding nor did it have a cub.
All wildlife we view on our tours has its comfort zone and when something encroaches they become concerned. This grizzly bear was on the beach eating sedge grass when something behind it got its attention….
Today’s posted photo was takes just a few minutes after yesterdays posted photo. As a guide it is ideal to find a herring ball because herring are a humpback whales primary food. And if you station your boat near the herring a whale will come to feed. That is like “A Field of Dreams – build it and they will come”.
The interesting aspect of this photo taken on a whale watching safari is that Glen managed to catch a seagull with two herring in its mouth. Also interesting is the importance of finding a herring ball while whale watching because this leads to really interesting photo as tomorrow’s post will show…
Interesting in that the only place the photo could have been taken was from the viewing stands we use on our grizzly bear tours. The slightly downward angle with the bushes in the back ground means Glen was about 3.5 meters (yards) in the air. Like the posting from the 15th there are always interesting subjects when one tires or wants a change from grizzlies and a heron is a change.
No it is not “Photo Shop” or any other modification program it is just a little morning fog. Fortunately the fog is normally gone before noon. For some reason this has become one of my favourite photos taken by Glen one of my fellow guides. I think it is because of the perfect blend of the photo on the page that there are no borders and the killer whale actually seems to be on the screen.
Glen (guide) thought it looked like a “shower cap” I choose a “diva crown”. Glen took the photo and I’m doing the blog so not sure who gets to name the photo? Either way it was a first for both of us and we have each been at the lodge for about fifteen years. BC’s Glendale River that flows into Knight Inlet becomes quite turbulent after a heavy rain and produces natural foam that adorns this grizzly bear’s head.
Just like that another season has come to an end. We are grateful for all the wonderful staff and the guests this season. It was an excellent season and we are already looking forward to next May.
One of the highlights of the season was all of the new cubs out. It was awesome to see so many new cubs of the year and that is great news for our bear populations moving forward. We had great spring viewing and this continued through summer. On our river trips we started to see salmon arriving in August and enjoyed some great shoulder season viewing. The fish at the viewing platforms were a little late showing up this year, but viewing during late September at the platforms was great and the estuary viewing remained strong throughout the season.
Out in the whale watching world it was another year that saw large numbers of resident Orca who remained in the area right into October. The Humpback viewing was also great with large numbers feeding in Blackfish Sound. It is so amazing to have these magnificent animals back in our waters in such numbers.
Over the winter and spring we will be doing some repairs and maintenance. We rebuilt the front deck last spring, utilising cedar cut on site. We will continue with some siding, rooms improvements and hopefully a floating sauna ready for the start of our season.
2026 is already looking like a very busy season for us. We only have limited high season availability so please book early to ensure we have space for your group.
Looking forward to seeing you next year
Angus Reid
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