31 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s and the A24s have made their way back to the Ecological Reserve from the east leaving the A12s "below" and heading towards Nodales Channel. So far the A24s have touched in at the Main beach.
Helena
31 Jul 2007 15:12:11 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A24s certainly have a strong work ethic! They and the A30s rushed up from the east, pushed hard against the tide, and did not stop until they went through Weynton Pass to the western end of Blackfish Sound. After a bout of A30 calls the A24s, still travelling against the tide, came east to Blackney Pass. They are no longer in a rush - the A30s are nowhere in sight leaving us to wonder if they have gone west. The evening is still young. The A24s just began to call.
Helena
31 Jul 2007 21:21:15 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

30 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

While the A12s and company make their way through Queen Charlotte Strait slowly, the A24s have returned to the Bight from the east and are making their way westward. The A30s were reported in Frederick Arm (eastern Johnstone Strait) this morning. The night was uneventful.
Helena
30 Jul 2007 12:08:56 PDT


No orcas present.

I forgot to add that the A30s were west bound at Ripple Point earlier in the evening. (Thanks Nick for the report).
Helena
30 Jul 2007 20:29:25 PDT

29 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The A30s are back! They are heading into Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass, spread out. We can hear their welcome calls on the LL & PI hyrdophones. It's hard to hear their blows through the misty drizzle & easterly wind, but there's no doubt they are there. If it wasn't for the weather, which feels like fall we'd be tempted to think summer has begun!
Helena & Paul
29 Jul 2007 00:46:59 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s are at the Rubbing Beaches.
Tomoko
29 Jul 2007 03:57:30 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Hmmm.... we just had the A5s and the A12s go through Blackney pass in very mixed fashion. They have headed east and may have been joined by the A36s.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 12:12:36 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

There are A4 call in the mix as well. There is a small group reported at Blinkhorn and we wonder if the A35s are there. The others got as far as the Bight and turned back to the west. A30s were seen earlier this morning off Port Neville (east of here) with possibly the A24s.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 13:39:12 PDT

Superb sounds!!

After the A36s merged with the A35s (who had been sitting off Blinkhorn before moving east to Kaikash Creek) the whales crossed over to the entrance oF Blackney Pass and for a while everyone went west. Behind them the A12s and the A5s were moving west as well. After reaching the entrance to Blackney Pass they all looked like they were going to head back east but they then stalled. Although drifting and changing direction they have been very vocal. Word has reached us that there are other groups in Queen Charlotte Strait heading this direction. Despite the constant boat noise the calls have been constant and clear, everyone chatting at once.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 15:50:25 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

After shuffling back and forth in Johnstone Strait all the groups (the A5s, A35s and the A12s) finally left via Blackney Pass on the ebb. Prior to this,the A36s left the strait via Weynton Pass and headed to Blackfish Sound where they acoustically interacted with the small A11 group (including Springer) as they made their way through Blackfish Sound toward Blackney Pass. The a36s continued west by themselves. Just after the A11s came into our view we became aware of the whales exiting Johnstone Strait. The A11s turned and led everyone away into Blackfish Sound. There were not many calls during all of this. way. The A30s apparently continued eastward to Nodales Channel. We do not know where the A24s are at the moment.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 20:22:42 PDT

28 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

There maybe some excitment afoote! Today, MacKay Whale watching found the A30s headed east north of Port Hardy and apparently, they are pulling others with them. Thanks to Stubbs Island for the relay of this information. Nick also reported in: apparently the A24s got together with the A36s fairly far to the east of here around 11am. The "brothers" have lured the A24s further eastward, of course. In the middle of all of this activity we are waiting patiently and following the reports of minkes (thanks to Sea Smoke Charters for that info), humpbacks etc.
Helena
28 Jul 2007 17:12:20 PDT

No orcas present.

The A30s are off Lizard Point. The A24s and the A36s are west bound recently out of Nodales. Dolphins are leaping all over Blackney Pass.
Helena
28 Jul 2007 20:14:39 PDT

11 June 2007, Cetaceanlab reports:

This day was amazing, just the sun and no wind, a perfect water day. Sure enough it was the A30s again, this time with the A24s.