October 3rd, 2010

Good evening from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

And what a day is was !

Our Grizzly tours has been wonderful this year but today ..... had to be one of those that will stay in our memories for a long time.

The pictures only begin to show the Grizzly show at the Orford today, the sleeping boar, 30 feet from our viewing tour, the snorkeling for salmon Grizzly and many, many others as well. The weather was wonderful as well, the lunch on the dock in Orford Bay and then ..., 35+ Orca in Discovery Passage on the way home. I have attached a picture of A38 (of the A30's) and G38 (of the G17's) but we also had the A12's, A36's, and I11's. These Orca have been south of Campbell River for the past 3 days. Why ? We are not sure but Northern Resident Orca often feed south of us in the winter and early spring but this was a new one for most of us.

A fabulous day for all who happened to be on the water or at the Orford today.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

September 13th, 2010

Good evening from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

It was just a "Orca Love in" today !
Transient Orca numbering 25+ came together to socilaize and frolic in the calm water and sun shine about 2 miles south of Mitlenatch Island this morning. We have had transient Orca (mammal eating) in and around the Campbell River area for over a week now and today they all showed up together to enjoy the return of the good weather.

Some incredible vocals and breaching displays from both the males and females but what was really evident was the way in which they love personal contact. They rolled, pushed, tail wagged and spy-hopped their way slowly westward, last seen just south of Quadra Island.

The weather looks like it is going to hold for the rest of this week and I'm sure the Orca will still be close.

Hope to see you out there.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

September 12, 2010

Good evening from the Float House Office
Discovery Harbour Marina

The Grizzly Bears tours are heating up and it will just get better and better !

Our morning tour began by spending the first hour with Mom and her 2 new cubs as they spent a restful morning near the spawning channel at the Orford River (Bute Inlet). We later moved to the 5th viewing platform where we watched as 2 other Grizzlies stolled by searching for fish below. The sow and 2 cubs from earlier appeared as our viewing time came to a close when everything went into high gear quickly!
That old saying "Never get between a Sow and her cubs" became very clear to one of the younger Grizzlies as she found herself in the wrong spot at the wrong time!
It was all over in a few hectic minutes and thankfully things were worked out without any physical contact. A lot of posturing by both sow Grizzlies and a lot of howling by the cubs for a few frantic minutes but everything worked out. Still pictures just don't do it justice.

Hope you get a chance to take in the Grizzlies at the Orford River this fall.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

September 7th, 2010

Good evening from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

While the Orca have been absolutely fantastic this past week, our Grizzly Tours are in full swing and I wanted to give everyone an idea of what really happens on our Grizzly Tours.
We travel to the Orford River In Bute Inlet by covered and heated vessels. Once on the ground, we travel by van about 4 km up the river where we watch the Grizzlies catch and feed on the spawning salmon from the safety of raised platforms along the river bank.
Pictured below is an effort to show you the picture takers (our guests) and the pictures they take from the towers. The bears travel up and down the river depending on the tides and the time of day. On this day, Sept 5th, we saw 8 separate Grizzlies while on this one tower as well as 4 more while traveling in and out in the van, one Sow with 2 cubs.
The Salmon are just arriving in the Orford River and by the end of the week the number of Grizzlies should double. We expect to see a lot of cubs this year as last fall the salmon numbers were high and that gave the pregnant females a healthy boast for their winter hibernation.

If Grizzly viewing is on your bucket list or you just want to see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat, this is a good time of the year to do it.
Hope to see you out there.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

August 31th, 2010

Good morning from the Flaot House
Discovery Harbour Marina

Yesterday will go down in the memory of the many who were on the water north of Campbell River ! The day began quickly with a 2 groups of Resident orca (fish eating) called the C6's and C10's (pictured) heading south at Race Point. (10 minutes out of the marina)

Once in Nodales Passage, the real story unfolded as wave after wave of Orca arrived. A12's, A36's, all the A4's and A5's as well as some "I" Clan members that we were not able to get an "ID" on. This on a day that we were headed into the Orford River on our first Grizzly Tour!

The Grizzlies were good but we do need more water in the river in order for the fish to enter and this rain that we have today may be just what we need. Only 3 good (close) Grizzlies today. Pictured is a large male foraging amongst the shoreline wood jam for remnants of early spawned salmon and a young male strolling along the road while we took a washroom break.

While most of the day was spent with the Grizzlies, the 50+ Orca in Nodales stole the show !!

Hope you find time to get out and enjoy the water.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

August 28th, 2010

Good morning from the Float House in Discovery Harbour Marina

As we approach the end of the summer we are experiencing some of the best Whale Watching of the season. Lots of fish and lots of happy Orca in the Strait. Pictured is A37 as he makes his way east in Johnstone Strait near "Beautiful Bay" yesterday. His younger brother and adopted matriarch, A12 have spend a good part of their summer together in the waters just north of Campbell River this summer.

As the kids get ready to head back to school, commercial sockeye fishing finally ends and the number of recreational fishing boats drops off, September is a quiet place to enjoy the Orca ! Get ready for a warm and sunny fall !

Hope to see you out there.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

August 25th, 2010

Good morning from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

While the story of the fabulous fishing on the B.C. coast has made the news this summer, the underlying story of the numerous and happy Orca in Johnstone Strait has gone unheard. What a season it has been!

The past 2 weeks of warm weather and little wind has made for some of the best Whale Watching experiences in the past 10 years. With multiple pods of "A" and "I" Clans in the Strait combined with "Transient Orca " sightings almost on a daily basis, has made everyday on the water an incredible adventure.

Pictured is "A12" along side her adopted boys A37 and A46. Quite a touching story is unfolding with this small group of Orca. A story that is too long for this Blog but needs to be shared at some point.

If you haven't been able to find the time to get out on the water this summer it is not too late. The fish keep flowing in from the west and the Orca will be here right through September.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

August 22, 2010

Good evening from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

Another interesting day on the water today !

A group from Paris wanted to see Bears today and we headed out early before it warmed up. We ran into a doe and her "very late" twins in the Browns Bay area and then we found this large Black Bear just north of Eagles Cove.

Traveling into Bute Inlet early in the morning was wonderful ! A few of the deciduous trees are beginning to turn already and the scenery was fabulous as usual. We found this young Grizzly foraging along the shore near the Orford River estuary. Very friendly and not really concerned about visitors to the inlet.
No pictures from me but our guests got some great shots of a group of about 8 or so Dalls Porpoise racing back and forth in Cordero Channel, west of Dent Island.
Our other boat was up with the Orca today and what a show they had ! Over 50 Orca in the Strait at the moment and the fish just keep coming ! What a year !

A great day all around. If you are looking for some excitment on the water you know where to find us.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

August 20th, 2010

Good evening from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

Today was another fabulous day on the water. A little cooler but the Orca made up for any changes in the weather.
We caught up with the A36's and A12 at Ripple Point by 9:30 am and followed them for some time before heading off to the mainland where we found a Sow and small cub feeding on the rock crabs at low tide in Chanceller Channel.
After a great lunch at Blind Channel we headed south in Cordero and found the remaining A12 group, (A34 and her family) resting in Nodales Passage. (pic included)
While we had about a dozen Orca in this area today however there are about another 40+ a little farther west in Johnstone Strait !

We are off tomorrow at 8:00 am to find the others. Hope to see you out there !

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

August 13th, 2010

Good evening from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina
Today the wind died offf and the Whale Watching hit a new high.
We headed out about 8:00 am and by 9:30 we found the A23's just west of Kesey Bay. With calm water and the Orca to ourselves for over an hour, we were entertained with spy hops, tail flaps and all round play as the A23 family headed west toward Robson Bight. Pictured is A60 with his characteristic mark on the back on his dorsal fin where he was struck by a motor (boat) in 2004.

After a short run to Port Neville for lunch we headed off to find some bears along the shore but I think the heat of the day (and it was very warm) kept the bears away from the beaches for everyone. As luck my have it though, we found 2 large Humpback Whales as we neared Campbell River. (pic) With syncronized dives of over 10 minutes in length, these 2 Humpbacks quickly made their way past Campbell River and into the abyss of Georgia Strait.

Another beautiful day tomorrow. No wind to speak of, lots of wildlife and incredible scenery in what we call "our backyard".

Hope to see you out there.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

August 2, 2010

Good morning from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

Today we had to journey to the Robson Bight area to find the Orca. It was a coolish morning with a touch of fog but by 11:00 am things began to brighten up. We found the C6's (a family of 9) near the Penfold Island, foraging on the Chinook Salmon that seem to be plentiful in that open water. Picture - After foraging they grouped up in a resting line which was constantly bombared by Pacific White Sided Dolphin ! These Dolphin just want to play all the time when the Orca are around.
We also had 5 Humpback Whales in the area which made for some timely photographs. (I missed the breaching Humpback picture)

After lunch at Telegraph Cove we headed back and found a large Black Bear foraging on East Cracroft Island. We were entertained all the way home with Dalls Porpoise which seemed to be everywhere in Johnstone Strait.

Out for another tour tomorrow when we get to see what the Passage has to offer.
Hope your summer is going well.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

July 27th, 2010

Good morning from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

Some days everything falls into place and today was just that day for the 24 guests out on the Whale Watching tour with us.

We started out with a beautiful sunny day and our first Black Bear on Vancouver Island near Chatam Point. We met up with the Orca near Windy Point, just west of Kelsey Bay. The 4 family Orca groups (A36's, A11's, A8's and A12) were very happy and vocalized continuously all the way east to Camp Point. With lots of playful tail flaps and spy hops, the Orca made it clear that they were in a great mood and fishing seemed to be very good. Picture of A11, senior matraline of her family. Notice the markings on the back side of her dorsal fin. Where do these come from? No one really knows but it could be similar to the scars we get as we go through life, playing rough when we are young etc.

Lunch at historic Port Neville pictured as well. great lunches by "Comfort Zone" in Willow Point as well as coffee and hot chocolate of course! Sad to say that the post Office in Port Neville has closed down after many, many years. The good news is that Lora (Post Mistress and friend to many of us on the water) is getting married in October!

Hope your day included a walk in the sun shine today.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching.

Good morning from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

The Orca pictured here are part of the T124's (Transient Orca) we found this morning with the great help of a Tow & Tug in Johnstone Strait. On our way up to see the A11's and A's from yesterday we had a call from the Tug that he had Orca passing him just south of Kelsey Bay. With a little luck and persistence, we found the group close to shore making their way south. Note how the Transient Orca (mammal eating) have dorsal fins that come to a point rather than curved like the Resident. While this is not always the case, it is one characteristic that sets Transients apart from Resident Orca.
A little blustery in Johnstone Strait today ! A little salt and a lot of sun shine made the Orca viewing just that much more exciting.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

July 24th, 2010

Good morning from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

The good weather just keeps coming and so do the Orca.
Pictured here is A73 spy hopping to have a look around in Nodales Passage. This famous youngster named "Springer" now 10 years old lost her mother at a critical time in her life (2 years old) but was nursed back to health with the cooperation of many carry souls. Today A73 is a healthy energetic Orca who travels with her aunt, A11 and family.
The A11's, A8's, A36's and A12 have spent a good part of the week cycling back and forth in Nodales this past week.

Another sunny day tomorrow.

Cheers
Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching.

July 21, 2010

Good morning from the Float House - Discovery Harbour Marina

Very busy with the Orca these days so just a short note and a few pictures of yesterday.

Picture of A11 - senior matriarch of her family entering Nodales Passage yesterday about 1:00 pm along with her daugther (A56) and new calf. Notice the colour difference of the new born. Their surface is almost "buttery" as the water is shed very easily. Purpose ? Does this help to protect against infections or perhaps to reduce the drag (friction) with the water, making it easier to keep up with the family.?

Regardless, this little one is full of life and has put on 100's of miles in the last week.

The weather is good and the wildlife even better !

Hope to see you on the water or at the marina soon.

Cheers for now.

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

July 16th, 2010

Good morning from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

A little blustery on the water today. The Orca (A11's, A8's, A23's and A25's) were westing out of Nodales Passage about 8:00 am and we caught up with them at Ripple Point in a strong westerly and ebbing tide. A little salty but things went well.
We followed the Orca for about an hour and a half, got a few good pictures and then headed for the calm waters of Blind Channel for lunch.
With a falling tide all morning we decided to head down Philps Arm to see if the resident Grizzly was on the beach. We were fortunate and found him grazing in the shaded tall grasses of the estuary. (sorry no pic)
On the way home we came apon this yearling Black Bear trying to get a prize eel from beneath the rocks. (see pic) He worked on this projest with enthusiasm but came up without lunch.
Guests from around the world including Israel, Holland, Ireland and Australia, enjoyed a great day on the water and we look forward to doing it all again tomorrow.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

July 14th, 2010

Good morning from the Float House
In Discovery Harbour Marina

Another fabulous day on the water in July !

We had a great group from "Routes to Learning" out for the day and what a day it was! The Orca (A36's, A11's, A8's and A12) arrived in Nodales Passage early yesterday morning. After our first Black Bear sighting along Vancouver Island, we were entertained by the 2 Big Boys of the Strait, A37 & A46 who foraged for 45 minutes between our boats at Davis Point. There appears to be enough fish for both the fisherman and the Orca these days!
After a short visit with about a dozen Pacific White Sided Dolphin, we headed in Bute Inlet where we found a Sow and this incredibly cute cub. He stole the hearts of all aboard.
The Arran Rapids were rocking yesterday and this picture shows the 5+ ft drop on the overfalls into Bute Inlet. The force of the tidal change pushed Bald Eagles to the surface and the Eagles were feeding, especially around Jimmy Judd Island.
Lots of pictures and memories of a beautiful day on the water in Campbell River.

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

July 11, 2010

Good morning from the Flaot House
Discovery Harbour Marina, Dock E

Yesterday was another fabulous day on the water! We had 2 boats out at 8:00 am and by 9:00 am we had Orca on our door step!
The A11's, A8's , A23's and A25's came into Nodale Passage last Friday night and stayed for the entire day Saturday!
By late afternoon on Saturday (5:30 pm) we had the whole group resting at Camp Point undecided which way to go. East or West ??
Lots of great vocals giving everyone a feeling of happy Orca in Johnstone Strait !

Only this morning will we be able to tell which way they headed.
We are off the dock at 9:00 am and will surely find them in the Strait somewhere!

Picture - A11, the senior matriline of the group. Camp Point, July 10th, 2010, 5:15 pm

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching

July 9th, 2010

Good morning from the Float House
Discovery Harbour Marina

In celebration of a new member of the "A" Clan, A56's new calf came for a visit yesterday. I have zoomed this picture in as much as possible so you can see that unique "buttery" quality of the new born Orca. The calf travelled the 90+ miles down from the Port Hardy area without a hitch and seems to be doing very well. The entire family were very vocal and playful as they entered Nodales Channel Thursday morning. They seem to be getting enough to eat because they were heading west at Rock Bay about 3:30 pm when they turned and headed back into Nodales once again.

Looking forward to another summer sizzler on the water today. Departing 8:00 am !
Hope to see you on the water!

Cheers

Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching