photo © 2004 c tucker

Ron Bates from Marine Mammal Research Group called to tell me that T 20 & T 21 (transient orcas) were between Clover Point and Trial Island so I hauled myself out of pj’s and away from work and ran down to the bottom of my street and watched the two orcas slowly make their way across and then behind Trial Island (2:30). I watched them for about an hour there. While watching them, I noticed a plethora of harbour seals and stellar sea lions passing very close to the rocks I was sitting on, and some of the seals appeared nervous and were halfway out of the water looking towards Trial Island. They were in tight groups and traveled on their way.

According to Orca Networks sighting report, they had made a kill out there, I though I had seen some activity but did not have my good binoculars on me at the time. I suppose the pinnipeds could have heard the transients while making a kill thus their behavior. I proceeded up to King George Terrace Lookout and caught one transient around the Cardinal Buoy between Victoria and Trial Island that was around 3:30 pm and that was the last I saw of them. I noticed lots of harbour seals laying about at the bottom of Trial Island and noticed three bald eagles perched as well. Wonderful day it was.

It appears as though our Humpback visitors have left, Ron said the last time he saw them was the end of October so unless they come back soon – I guess it is good bye until next year! I was thrilled to have had the experience of watching them during October.