Most often when humpback whales do their slapping they are nose down or hanging in the water. They may slap in an anterior or posterior position (belly or back) and either way it is loud. As with orca tail slapping humpbacks can be heard underwater by other whales many miles away so it may be used for communication or remove a build up of parasites and barnacles from the tail. The reason is interesting and the photos can be sensational.
Tag Archives: killer whale watching
Tail lobbing Killer Whale 1 of 2
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….
A foggy morning in Johnston Strait
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.
Killer whale watching 2 of 2
This is a closer visit from orca. The white in the bottom of the photo is the stern corner of our boat, which puts the orca about five meters (yards) and closing. Sometimes the best way to watch wildlife is to stop and let them watch. Killer whales are members of the dolphin family and are curious. It is not uncommon to have them go off course and swim near the boat.
Killer whale watching 1 of 2
Finding a pod of orca / killer whales on a days whale watching always adds to the excitement of the day. They are majestic as we keep pace as they travel the waters of BC’s Johnstone Strait. Nothing but a closer visit is as interesting…
Killer whales approaching tour 2 of 2
As usual as the male orca got closer to the front of the boat I moved to the back to allow the guests a better photo opportunity. After all I have seen orca before but the photo’s I have to post are less than dramatic but then I guess you will have to book your dates and bring your camera.
Killer whales approaching tour 1 of 2
Yes it is normal to have killer whales / orca travel in pods that are a complex matriarchal society. Sons and daughters stay with their mother throughout their lives, even after they have offspring of their own. However this does not mean that the larger and older males are always in close proximity they often travel separate but parallel to the family group. For photos it is good to find a large male as they are slower to come out of the water and when the tip of their large dorsal fin shows you have time for a photo. This photo leads to tomorrow’s post….
Humpback as a Grizzly Bear Lodge guest
A comment on their visit form our Southern neighbours Ian and Julie Anderson: “Just a note to thank you for a fantastic couple of days, we came away from your lodge in a state of amazement. We had so many wonderful experiences and have told everyone that they should go and see you.” The best advertisement we can get is an endorsement from our guests. Thank you very much. The first photo is mine just to show the location of the lodge in relation to Ian and Julie’s photos. We do occasionally get humpback whales in front of the lodge but they are normally located in the middle of the bay where you see the boat passing. All I can add is that all our guest manage to get good photos of grizzly bears but these photo of whales directly off shore in front of the lodge are a first as is the photo in tomorrows post.
Humpback diving and guide hoping!
I like David’s photo of the diving humpback whale diving as the swirls in the water shows the power of the dive. The vertical tail indicated that it will be a deep dive and for me that means that it “might” be followed by some lunge feeding or even a breach. These whales show up in out view waters near the north end of Vancouver Island is late May and rather than travelling north to Alaska stay is this area to feed because of the abundance of herring one of their preferred food. David thanks again for the great photos.
Humpback Whales Visit
February 1st post shows our rest stop at Telegraph Cove on a whale watching day but it is not where we eat lunch. Our picnic lunch is normally in Blackfish Sound where we view most of the humpback whales. We either tie to a kelp bed or drift in open water if there is not much boat traffic. Drifting is my preferred lunch spot as we often have visitors. Unfortunately, in a good way, this frequently extends our lunch break as the whales demand pictures just as we have the picnic spread out and are eating. It is amazing how fast food in hand is replaced with cameras when a whale surfaces close to the boat.
