Friday, September 01, 2006

01 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Nice surprise. The I15s turned up close to CP and then they and the A30s moved in together into Blackney Pass. We may have lost track of the I11/I31 group. Their calls were growing distant just as the I15s drew closer to CP. Then they went quiet. BUT perhaps they followed the others into Blackney. Regardless, all three groups are westbound and moving out of the area on the ebb tide.
Helena
01 Sep 2006 00:27:17 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Shortly after 6am we began to hear calls in Blackfish Sound. These were followed by the A30s, and then the I15s, coming into Blackney Pass. The I15s were closer to the Lab, the A30s closer to the other side. They are now headed to Johnstone Strait.
Helena
01 Sep 2006 07:11:27 PDT

Distant calls audible.

As the A30s and the I15s moved on eastward, the I11s appeared opposite CP from the west. Interesting that each group retread their path from last night, coming back through the same waters they used last night. All three groups are eastbound together headed toward the Robson Bight area.
Helena
01 Sep 2006 07:55:58 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The day keeps developing along positve lines. The Gs have joined the A30s, I15s and I11s off the Robson Bight area after a brief rub at the beaches. The A4s,A5s and A12s are not far off as well.
Helena
01 Sep 2006 09:17:05 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

All the groups, numbering near to 90 whales, are going west. The majority have already passed CP. The list includes: the A5s,I11s,A30s,I15s,G3s,G18s, G29s,A4s,A12s,and possibly the I31s.
Helena
01 Sep 2006 11:16:53 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Now there a lot of whales everywhere! The A12s and the I31s came through Blackney pass a short while ago and they are now on their way west through Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, all the others have turned, some got as far as the entrance to Weynton Passage, and they are now silently eastbound. The A30s are in the lead and must be near Izumi Rock and the Reserve beyond. A12, herself, led the charge into Blackney.
Helena
01 Sep 2006 13:45:38 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The whales have been back at the beaches for hours. The A30s and the I15s had a fisrt rub and then as they other groups (the A4s,A5s, Gs,I11s) slowly made their way past Critical Point another long rub began. Eventually, someone from each call group joined in and the rub continued forever. They may have finally decided to move on. meanwhile ,we have not heard the I31 and A12s. We had heard they were trying to come back via Weynton against the ebb tide but no "word" yet as to how far they have come.
Helena
01 Sep 2006 19:20:21 PDT

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