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