Superpod

The afternoon trip on the Ocean Magic II led us out to Boundary Pass. There we found J and K pods heading west toward Turn Point where there were reportedly members of L pod. The whales were traveling at a slow pace playing amongst the kelp along the way. Princess Angeline / J17 and her daughter Polaris / J28 were both identified. Good news from Ken and Kelly Balcomb, as the new K pod baby was seen with new mom Sekiu / K22. In the evening the whales were further south along the west side of Henry and San Juan Islands. The whales picked up speed as they passed Open Bay. Spock / K20 and her two year old, K38, were seen porpoising together toward Lime Kiln lighthouse.

Gray Whale

The afternoon trip on the Ocean Magic II led us south to Agate Bay, Washington State. There we found a gray whale foraging in the shallow water. Adult gray whales get up to 15m and weigh upwards of 40 tons. These whales feed on small crustaceans such as amphipods, and tubeworms found in bottom sediments. It has a series of 130-180 fringed overlapping plates hanging from each side of the upper jaw. Gray whales dive to the bottom, roll on thier sides and draw bottom sediments and water into thier mouths. As a whale closes its mouth, water and sediments are expelled through the baleen plates, which trap food on the inside near the tongue to be swallowed. Gray whale makes one of the longest of all mammalian migrations, averaging 10,000-14,000 miles (16,000-22,530 km) round trip. The southward journey from the Bering and Chukchi Seas to their Baja California, Mexico, breeding lagoons takes 2-3 months. The whales remain in the lagoons for 2-3 months, allowing the calves to build up a thick layer of blubber to sustain them during the northward migration and keep them warm in the colder waters. The large blows of mist in the afternoon light created a beautiful sight. On the way back to Victoria we stopped at Race Rocks to view the many types of seals and sea lions hauled out in the sun.

T10 Group

The day started out with a trip to Race Rocks aboard the Ocean Magic II. There we found Harbour Seals, Steller Sea Lions, California Sea Lions, and Elephant Seals. In the afternoon the fog lifted and reports of transients, meat eating killer whales, lead us towards the eastern end of Juan de Fuca Strait. On the way we sighted a minke whale heading quite fast towards the west. When we arrived on scene we found about dozen whales. The ‘Hood Canal’ transients T10 and T10B were identified amongst the group. A US nuclear submarine was sighted further south in the strait. In the evening we found these whales again near Bush Point, Whidbey Island. The long trip was well worth the wait. In the wonderful lighting a new calf was sighted amongst the group.

L12's

Another wonderful day aboard the Ocean Magic II. The morning trip lead us out towards San Juan Island in hopes to find the whales as J and K pods were reported to be off the Coal Docks near Vancouver and a large group of L pod members were too far off towards the west nearing Port Renfrew. Captain Mike’s instincts did not fail as we found the L12’s off False Bay milling about and foraging in the area. Spirit / L22 and her son Skana / L79 were identified traveling close together diverting around the commercial fishing fleet. On the trip back a minke whale was sighted a bit further north feeding on schools of herring. During the noon trip we found the matriarch Alexis / L12 traveling with 15-year-old sprouting male Mystery / L85.

L pod

The noon trip was a beautiful day aboard the Ocean Magic II. We met up with members of L pod off Hein Bank in calm blue waters. There we found Ino/L54 and her new calf L108 traveling close behind and older female Spirit/L22. Wavewalker/L88 a young 13-year-old male came by closer to the vessel. The USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier could be seen further to the south in the distance.

Race Rocks

Today was a pinniped day aboard the Ocean Magic II. Race Rocks Ecological Reserve is a great viewing area for seals, seal lions, and sea birds. There we found Steller and California Sea Lions hauled out on the high rocks and Harbour Seals nearer the sea lines. The Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was created in 1980. Ecological reserves are set aside by the province of British Columbia for the conservation of both exceptional and representative natural features of scientific and educational significance. Ecological reserves serve as benchmarks against which changes induced by human actions can be measured and serve as banks of genetic material to protect rare and endangered native plants and animals in their natural environment. Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) moved to create a Marine Protected Area at Race Rocks in 1998 for the creation of a “no-take zone” within the boundaries of the existing Ecological Reserve. A consensus process is being convened by DFO, BC Parks, and affected First Nations.


The USS John C. Stennis 6200 member crew is on leave in Victoria. Most of the jets are off on training missions. Four jets can be catapulted at once off the flat deck of this aircraft carrier.

L12's

Today aboard the Ocean Magic II, started out with the L12 matriline off False Bay, San Juan Island. Alexis the L12 matriarch was traveling in the thick fog with a young sprouting male. The intensity of the low, cool, gray cloud intensified viewing drama. In the afternoon, we found the L12’s again heading south, but slowly traveling north with the flood tide. Adult male Mega / L41 was sighted as was Mystery, Alexis, and 17 year old male Skana / L79. J and K pods were reported to be approaching Lopez Island from the north end of Rosario Strait. Groups of Rhinoceros Auklets were found drifting near False Bay while Canada’s Snowbird team flew overhead during the Oak Bay air show.

L12's & K pod

The noon trip on the Ocean Magic II brought us out between the Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits. There we found K pod with a few L pod members spread out foraging in a westerly direction. Cappucccino / K21 and Raggedy / K40 were identified. In the afternoon we headed over to Race Rocks Ecological Reserve to view the seals and sea lions hauled out. Later we traveled south to catch up with K pod and the L12 matriline grouped up into a resting line. The animals were slowly heading northeast back toward the San Juan Islands.