05 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

The Naiad Explorer found the A30s this morning in Queen Charlotte Strait just north of Swanson Island. They are apparently in a pllayful mood with the "boys" off doing the serious fishing. The map will indicate the area they are closest to but the whales are still west of the range of our Flower Island/Blackfish Sound hydrophone
Helena
05 Oct 2006 12:39:37 PDT

Distant calls audible.

And the A30s are now in range and headed into Blackfish Sound.
Helena
05 Oct 2006 13:05:28 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s after being fairly quiet as they travelled through Blackfish Sound "opened up" as they entered Blackney Pass. Perhaps this was important to them as they were quite spread out as they travelled and they needed to stay in "touch". A39 and A30 made a pair and travelled well ahead of the others. Then came the A54s followed by the A50s and A38. As they rounded the corner their calls intensified as they negotiated their way around the turn into Johnstone Strait - always an important acoustic space for them. Disappointing that boat noise accompanied their movement through Blackney and into Johnstone Strait. Until the one boat following them, Blackney Pass had been peaceful. A moment lost... and now they are once agin in the busy, noisy Strait and on toward the Reserve.
Helena
05 Oct 2006 15:47:30 PDT