Tag Archives: johnstone strait

Speedy Dalls Porpoise

dalls porpoise

When we are on our whale watching tours it is fairly common to spot Dalls Porpoise. They are often seen slowly rises to the surface, but can take off at high speeds, reaching speeds of over 50KMPH. This speed is used for feeding, socialising and for escaping Biggs Orca. The have a thick body and distinct black and white colouring. We have two species of porpoise in our area, the Dalls and the Harbour Porpoise. Although they resemble dolphins in some ways they are not closely related. Dolphins have elongated heads, forming their beak, while porpoise have a much flatter head. Dolphins have cone shaped teeth, while porpoises have spade shaped teeth. In addition dolphins tend to be seen in larger groups and are generally more social. An interesting development is that Harbour and Dalls Porpoise do sometimes interbreed, leading to a Hybrid, which has been documented in our area.

Sea Otter Sightings

The last 3 years we have been starting to view sea otters in our area more regularly. They are still often a distance away, but the sightings are increasing with some “rafts” of them developing in areas near the western portion of our whale watching trips. These animals were hunted heavily for their fur and were completely wiped out of British Columbia waters. Re-introduction occurred from Alaskan otters in the 1960’s. They have long been protected and their numbers have been steadily increasing along the exposed BC coast and are now moving back into inside waters. They are unique in that they don’t have the insulating blubber that other marine mammals use to keep warm. As a result they have dense (over 1 million hairs per square inch) fur and feed heavily. They are important in balancing the eco-system. They eat a lot of sea urchins, which eat a lot of kelp. Kelp is extremely important as it provides cover for juvenile fish and is where the herring spawn in the early spring. With the increase in these otters we are seeing a greater abundance and healthier kelp forests.

Bald Eagle Swooping In

Eagles are a common sighting around the lodge and on our tours. They eat a variety of foods, but are often sighted. looking for schooling fish such as herring and will frequent the salmon rivers when the fish are running. They mate for life an it is not unusual to see a mating pair. They are hard to distinguish on their own, but when side by side the female is slightly larger and the white feathers on her head tend to come down a bit lower on the neck. With their 5-6′ wingspan they are always impressive when they come down to the water in search of food.

Humpback After a Lunge Feed

This Humpback Whale has just come up from under a school of baitfish and hopefully got a mouthful of fish.  The photo captures the moment that the whale has closed his mouth and forced a burst of water out through his baleen.

Glassy Calm Whale Watching in Blackfish Sound

On the coast the weather can at times be unpredictable.  That being said in the summer and fall we are often very lucky with our weather and often do not get a lot of rain until October.  Our waters are protected from the open ocean, so although it can get a bit choppy at times we do not receive the big swells that trigger seasickness.  This is a beautiful evening in October (after the end of the season) watching a number of resident Orca move through Blackfish Sound, into Johnstone Strait.

The views at Sailcone pt3

Lunch is served on the whale watching trip.  On a calm day nothing beats tying up to a kelp bed and watching humpbacks while you enjoy your packed lunch.  It looks like there is a humpback incoming

unch with a humpback whale

Humpback Flipper

Humpback whales are extremely manoeuvrable and often quite acrobatic.  The reason for this is their long flippers.  Humpback Whales have longer flippers then any other animal. They also have large bumps  on their flippers called tubercles.  These tubercles act like rudders, creating turbulence and reducing drag.   Thanks to Annette for the photo

Herring Ball Pt1

eagles fishingOut in Johnstone Strait it is common to get what are called “herring balls.”  Basically these are schools of small baitfish that have been pushed to the surface by fish and diving birds such as aucklets and murrelets.  The fish appear to boil on the surface and are easy prey for gulls and bald eagles.

Orca Behaviour Pt2

As mentioned yesterday the behaviour of the orca varies day to day and is highly advanced.  This whale is “spy hopping”.  What the whale is basically doing is having a look at what is happening above the water line.  Orca have advanced echolocation “sonar” abilities, which allows them to detect objects and animals underwater with pinpoint accuracy.  They also like to check out what is happing above them as this orca is demonstrating.

Orca Behaviour Pt1

Orca are highly intelligent and incredibly sociable animals.  There behaviour varies day to day.  They are often travelling, foraging and resting, but they do take time for play and socializing as well.  This whale is basically standing on his head and doing a little bit of “tail lobbing”.