Tag Archives: Humpback Whales

Lunch Time Visitation 1 of 3

unch with a humpback whale

Picnic lunches while whale watching normally are in the boat. The location of the lunches vary from day to day but often involve being tied to a kelp bed. The first photo provides some perspective as to the closeness of the humpback whale while the second shows that the whale was just enjoying a roll in the kelp bed. On this day we were about half way through our lunch as as you can see there not much boat traffic. With our engine turned off it was a very peaceful area and the whale was just doing what whales do when there is no one to disturb it’s natural behaviour.

unch with a humpback whale

Anette and family visit 7 of 7

whales in knightsAnette’s final comment: “On the way back we met a humpback pair that swam around the boat at a distance of about 10 meters and diving just when they got along side of us.

The best wishes for the coming season. We’re quite a bit envious of this seasons clients!” It is not only the guest that miss Grizzly Bear Lodge at this time of the year the guides start thinking about the coming season and checking their gear to get ready for another summer of hard “work”. Again Anette “Thank You” for the great photos and comments it is always better if viewers get their information first hand from happy guest.

 

 

Anette and family visit 4 of 7

humpback breaching closehumpback pectoral slapping

 

Again the time stamp on the photos show that this breach was three minutes after the previous breach in yesterdays post and the pectoral fin slapping was just one minute after this second breach. Anette managed some incredible photos to save her memories.

Anette and family visit 3 of 7

humpback diving breaching humpback whale

“….and with the young humpback that put on an hour long show of 5-6 breaches and countless tail and fin slaps just for us.” I remember this day as it was also memorable for me as I never tire of my time on the water. This humpback would take a deep dive and then breach almost as if on a schedule. If you notice the back ground hills it is the same from a different angle. I have the advantage of the time stamp that says these photos were taken with in the same minute.

Guide’s delight 3 of 3

humpback whale lunge feeding

This photo was NOT taken the same time as the previous two days posting. If I had seen whales I would not have gone that close to a herring ball. The point of locating a herring ball is to be “close by” when the humpback whales come to feed. “Close by” does not mean sitting on the herring ball as that would not be a comfortable or safe place to be located. This photo is thanks to Gary Wilson from Australia.

Whale Watching tour from the lodge

Grizzly bears are the “stars” of the lodge but time is spent looking for marine “wildlife” in the water off the East Coast of Vancouver Island. We normally manage to find eagles, orca, sealions, seals, dolphins, and humpback whales. All this and still time for a stop in Telegraph Cove to use the facilities and maybe grab a cup of hot chocolate or coffee.

Photos by 

Bruce & Carole Cripps 11-11

 

 

 

Working 1 of 2

humpback closeThe working aspect of this post has two meanings. First I am working and the only reason it can be classified as that is because I get paid, other than that it is just fun. The second one working is the humpback whale as it passes along the shore looking for more herring to fill it’s demand for food. Note the bar in the lower left corner of the photo is the metal bar on our boat which holds the radar. So yes the whale is close.

Also After Telegraph Cove

humpback whale flukingNot a particularly good photo of a humpback whale diving but I liked the sparkle on the water. Being that I am writing the blog and get to pick the photos, this it what you get. I know that if you scroll through the past posting you will find some great tail shots. This just shows that every day on the water is different and I never know what will make a memorable picture for guests.

Humpback Lobtailing 16 of 20

lobtailing whaleslobtailing whalesLobtailing is when a whale lifts its fluke (tail fin) out of the water and brings it down forcefully to slap the surface of the water with a big splash and loud report. Lobtailing is most likely a form of non-verbal communication, like breaching or pectoral fin slapping, and can be used to call attention to an individual, to impress a potential mate or intimidate a foe. This whale behaviour is becoming more common as more humpbacks spend their summers in our area feeding on the abundance of herring. But it is still hard to get a good photo.

Humpback Whales Diving Sequence 2 of 2 (15 of 20)

guardian divingguardian divingHumpback whales can be identified using photos of the underside of the flukes. Each whale has unique features, including the overall shape of the flukes, the shape of the trailing edge, any scars, and natural pigmentation. This whales is “Guardian” and it spends much of the summer in our viewing area of the Johnstone Straits adjacent to Vancouver Island..