October 5, 2009

Good morning from the Float House in Discovery Harbour Marina

Yesterday had a strange twist to the day! A group of Southern Resident Orca arrived from the north! The "L" Clan from the Victoria and San Juan Island area generally spend their winters in the northern waters of British Columbia. They use Johnstone Strait and Discovery Passage as their route home in the spring, usually in late May or early June, but to see them here in October is very strange. I contacted some of the researchers in the Port Hardy area and they can't remember this ever happening.
Adding to this usual event was that the "L" Clan Orca were traveling with 2 groups of northern resident Orca, the A36's and A12's. We were unaware of this until the "A" Clan groups split off and travelled into Nodales Passage while the Southern group headed south, down Discovery Passage about 3:00 pm. We rarely see these 2 different groups in close proximity with each other. At one point we had the southern "L" Clan heading east, following the northern "A" Clan group along the Vancouver Island shore with T20 &T21(Transient Orca) heading west along West Thurlow, on the opposite shore line. Strange day indeed! (picture attached - note the "open" saddle patch, typical of the southern resident orca)

The Grizzly Bears in Bute Inlet continue to be wonderful and with this spectacular weather we have been having, the quality of light for pictures is superb. About 7 different bears yesterday although we only saw one fish caught and eaten. Hopefully not a trend!

Another beautiful week of sun shine ahead. Hope you have time to get out and enjoy it.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching