Tag Archives: orca watching

Orca Timing – A Little Off

Killer whale blowing

Always looking for the interesting / different photo to post on the blog and this photo fills that category. This orca seems to be “off” on its technique of coming out for a breath of air. Normally the blow occurs after the back has cleared the water and not before. I guess the important part is that it is not inhaling at this point but waiting until it is clear to do so.

 

Killer Whales – Blackfish – Orca

Killer whales

Killer whale is the tourist / media name, Orcinus orca is the scientific name, and Blackfish is the name I grew up knowing. Growing up and fishing in Campbell River on BC’s Vancouver Island orca were frequently in the area. At that time in the 1950’s and for years to come the name used by local was Blackfish. It was not until the mid 1960’s and on the name killer whale came into common use.  After the first orca was captured in 1964 and for the first time, newspapers and magazines including Reader’s Digest, Life, The Times of London, and the Victoria Times gave some positive press about killer whales the name started to become popular. It is not hard to see that a tour or a visit to see a Blackfish did not seem to attract much interest whereas killer whale was media gold.

 

Killer Whale Watching

Orca identification

The killer whales / orca along the west coast of North America are identified by the shape and size of their dorsal fin and the saddlepatch located by the fin. Other distinguishing marks are also a great help especially the notch located in A72’s fin. I have found over the years that our guests are less interested in “who” they are watching and more interested in “that” are watching killer whales.

 

 

Killer whales passing

Orca and Guests

A day whale watching from Grizzly Bear Lodge does not mean that you will be in “close” proximity to orca or humpback whales all the time.  There is, however an excellent chance that sometime during the trip you will be close enough to get those “bucket list” pictures. A good photo is the result of patience and position. My job as a guide is to get you into the best position and as a guest you just need the patience.

 

 

Waiting Quietly 1 of 6

orca close to boat

The orca / killer whales in the Grizzly Bear Lodge’s whale safari area are mostly resident or fish eaters although at times we encounter the transient or mammal eaters.  The northern resident orca are located in waters north of Campbell River on Vancouver Island and while the transient orca are more often found in BC coastal inlets. This is a female orca as indicated by the shorter dorsal fin. Sitting quietly while whale watching is the key to many interesting photos. Humpback whale tomorrow.

 

 

Killer Whales 2 of 2

Spring Salmon

To explain this photo. The odd shape is because the lower left corner is the edge of a white boat. I am the figure over the edge of the boat taking a picture of the salmon.  There is not much to show perspective but this salmon would likely weight close to 12 kilo (twenty-five pounds). This is a good size spring salmon and the orcas favourite food. We remained drifting in this area for about twenty minutes with orcas around the boat and the salmon beneath coming out on occasion but staying close to the boat. If I had a net we would have had fresh salmon for supper but the guest agreed we were sanctuary and netting would not be fair.

 

 

Killer Whales 1 of 2

Large male orca

Grizzly Bear Lodge’s whale watching safari trips travel to the waters of Johnstone Strait, between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia.  The orca / killer whales arrives in the area by late June or early July and remains until late October.  These resident salmon eating orca travel in pods and are curious, as most dolphins.  They have been known to detour from their normal path of travel to inspect boats and whale watchers passing on all sides of the boat which makes it hard to choose the best chance for a picture. This large male may have come close for another reason. See tomorrow’s post

 

 

Killer Whales – aka Orca

Killer whales

The orcas in our whale watching area arrive in late June and stay through mid-October. The most common orca / killer whales in the area are the residents. Residents or fish eating orca live in large family groups called pods, with multiple pods making up a population or community. The pods consist of multiple related matrilines, with each matriline often containing 3 or more generations. Each pod is led by the head female or matriach, as orca are a female dominated species. The matriarch tends to be the oldest female in the extended family. Her experience and knowledge guides the pod, and the matriach teaches younger whales about everything from parenting skills, feeding tactics, and navigation through the vast territories that they cover. Marc & Solange and family from France provided the photo and I know enjoyed their time with the orca.

 

 

Orcas / Killer Whales 3 of 3

Killer Whale / Orca

Although we do see some orca in Knight Inlet we spend more time in BC’s coastal waters off Eastern Vancouver Island in an area around Telegraph Cove and Black Fish Sound.  (Black Fish being another name for Orca.) Orca being members of the dolphin family are curious and will often approach boats if they are sitting quietly as shown by the photos in the previous days posting.