Monday, May 31, 2010

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure May 30 12:15

Our 12:15 Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure took us east to San Juan Island. Here our veteran skipper Scott put the Ocean Magic in a wonderful spot to view three Transient Orca. One large male T40 "Captain Hook" and two females T86a & b. We watched as these magnificent mammals worked the shoreline as they cruised by. Their favorite food, Harbour Seals, were in great abundance on the rocky shoreline. Our crew of naturalists Mika, Rhonda and Michaela answered our passengers questions and passed on a wealth on knowledge about Killer Whales and the local marine environment. Once again a wonderful adventure into the wild west coast waters with Prince Of Whales.
Clint "Orcawizard"

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure May 17

Our wildlife adventure for this Monday afternoon was set against cloudy skies, however, the sea was flat calm and conditions good for finding wildlife. Those much sort after Orca, however, remained illusive. A good number of Harbour Porpoise were visible and delighted our guests as we headed east and north in search of marine life. Our Capt Anthony, and crew of Scott, Anna and Sophie shared their wealth of knowledge of this very picturesque and productive area with those on board. Our trip took us past Trail Island. Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles, sea ducks and gulls were also seen. At the bluffs on Henry island we found 'pair-bonding' of Pelagic Cormorants at nest sites. Mouflon sheep and Sika Deer were seen on Spieden, an island of the San Juan group, Washington. The tall ships of the S.A.L.T.S organization of Victoria and other marine traffic were also encountered during our interesting wildlife adventure.
Marie, Orca-Magic

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure May 12

The 12.15 Ocean Magic trip headed out of the harbour, with Capt. Anna at the helm, Biologist Mika, Naturalist Derrek and Danielle. Our Prince of Whales senior skipper Mark, was seen returning to the harbour in his yellow zodiac. It was almost perfect conditions for spotting some of the marine life in these nutrient rich waters. We headed east and then north up Haro Strait where we found a 'bait ball ' with interested gulls and Rhinoceros Auklets milling around. A report of a Gray Whale that was seen off Spieden Island in the San Juans, was soon found foraging along the west side of the Island. We spent some time here and then found other marine life around the backside of the Island that included a pair of Bald Eagles and several Harbour Porpoise that were foraging in the tide-line. Bull kelp was also seen floating on the water. Harbour Seals and Sita Deer were also seen on Spieden Island. The crew shared their wealth of knowledge with our international guests.
Marie, Orca-Magic.

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure May 1

Our Saturday Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure was set against sunny skies and a little wind. Our crew of Captain Tyler, and crew mates Mika ans Scott took our passengers east in search of west coast marine wildlife. Our trip took us past Trial Island and up Haro Strait. We encountered Dall's Porpoise and Harbour Porpoise as we made our way up Haro Strait. We also took in the sights of many marine birds, Glaucous-winged gulls at a Bait ball, Pelagic Cormorants on Henry Island bluffs and we saw in the distance Turkey Vultures and Bald Eagles. Harbour seals were plentiful on the many small Islands off Oak Bay and Trial Island. Just another spectacular Marine Wildlife Adventure with Prince of Whales.
Clint "Orcawizard", Marie "Orca-Magic"

Saturday, May 01, 2010

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure April 28

With our all girl crew and Capt. Anna at the helm of the noon, ' Ocean Magic ', we were bound to have a great wildlife adventure. We headed east in bright , but windy conditions. It was a mixed bag of weather throughout the three hour trip, however we were in luck and got to see, if only fleetingly, Harbour and Dall's Porpoise in Haro Street. We travelled past Henry Island in the San Juans, and saw Pelagic Cormorants nesting. A visit to Spieden Island, Washington, gave us good looks at Sika Deer, Mouflon Sheep, Harbour seals and Steller Sea Lions. It was on our way back to Victoria, at the Chain Islands, that our biologist, Mika suddenly caught sight of black fins in the aqua marine water. We discovered two Transient Orca moving fast through the waves. We had a male,T 87 and female,T 88. Our crew shared their wealth of knowledge with our many international guests.
Marie, Orca-Magic