Kpod!

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Today was officially a HOT day, the sun shining and not a wave around! We headed to the whale's typical feeding grounds off of San Juan Island where Kpod was milling spread apart. Noticed a few large males Cappuccino / K21 as well as being looked at by Lobo / K26. He kinda suprised us all as he checked us out as he passed by under the boat! Rare but a great treat indeed.


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This afternoons trip we headed back over the same place where K's were milling spread wide apart. Saw Cappuccino / K21, Lobo/ K26 and Skagit/ K13. Watched several animals traveling apart and one mother and calf combo however they were a bit far and didn't get a clear saddle ID. The calf was breaching over and over again, was very playful. The two then paired up and headed to the San Juan Island shoreline. We stopped to get a lovely look at Discovery Island on our way home.

L's & Minke

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Mark "Mallard" Malleson and Zodiac riding the stern wake of the Ocean Magic









Today was flat calm, not a cloud in the sky, bright blue and very warm! Perfect for exploring the area. We first ventured to San Juan Island and drifted offshore towards Hein Bank. On our way we caught sights of Skana / L79 and other family members traveling spread out. They milled, saw some breaches in the back ground. They didn't seen to be going in any sort of direction however were inching out further and further into the Strait in their travels. We checked out Hein Bank where we found fish balls baiting many seabirds and 2 minke whales! We could see the birds with fish in their mouths, it was quite amazing to watch. Passengers sighted the Minke whales 2 times before departing back towards Victoria. A beautiful day today!


Ocean Magic guests from Victoria Bridget and Gabby

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Vancouver to Victoria and back July 8, 2007

Our passengers on the Ocean Magic experienced J & K pod heading north from San Juan Island, as well as several Bald Eagles, dozens of Turkey Vultures and Harbour Seals on the morning trip to Victoria. By the afternoon the whales had already gone through Active Pass, so we hoped to meet up with them in the Strait of Georgia on our way to Vancouver.
Everyone was excited with anticipation, as Captain Gord spotted the first dorsal fin just south of Sandheads. The whales were still moving North, some were foraging, others travelling leisurely. Js and Ks were both present, Ruffles was travelling on the "outskirts" as usual, with probably Granny and a couple of others nearby. The absolute highlight of our trip was watching K26 Lobo, who was leisurely lounging in the flat calm waters, rolling over, waving his pectoral fins, doing lazy taillobs, spyhopping - all in all the picture of a very content orca with a belly full of salmon. It took me a while to id him, because whales are pretty hard to id when they are upside down most of the time. This seemed to be his preferred method of moving about. He was a delight to watch and the group of 52 passengers will probably never forget this experience in their lifetime.
We left the whales still heading north just by the Iona Jetty and headed "home" for the Vancouver Harbour.
Ellen - Naturalist Ocean Magic Van-Vic-Van

Breaching K!

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Today on our 4 pm trip we found Kpod spread apart south San Juan Island foraging and milling. Saw one young male Tika / K33 (born 2001) breaching over and over. Also can see some teeth rake marks on his dorsal fin I assume from playing with other orcas. I saw him with one other, who I assume was his mother Sekiu / K22 (born 1987). The swells were quite adventurous today and it seemed to invigorate our passengers who traveled from Sweden, Columbia, Mexico, England and from our own backyard of Victoria!

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L's!

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During the noon trip we traveled east to Salmon Bank South San Juan Island. K's had apparently gone out west and J's were northbound somewhere. Lpod was spread wide apart into small matriline groups or individuals who were milling and feeding. The water was a bit rough, and could see the animals porpoising to move above the waves together. After spending half an hour with the L's (who we saw Faith / L75 with some others as well as Mega / L41 and his sisters and family) we got word of a grey whale not far from us and headed in that direction. Saw it blow a few times but didn't get a good look at it or photo. Was quite a shy animal going on long dives.


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This evenings trip we headed on a "west coast adventure" while traveling east to San Juan Island again where L's were feeding. We had a few waves out there today hence the title. On our way we stopped southeast of Discovery Island where the grey whale had located to. Again saw a mist but never really got a look at the animal but he/she was cruising all over the Haro Strait today! We then ventured to L's again. Found them around Pile Point area spread apart. Some were south but we had our sights on Mega / L41 and a few others while they fed, spyhopped and carwheeled in the 4 footers in hot persuit of FOOD! We stopped by the Oak Bay Gulf course on our way home as the grey whale was moving in that direction. Again, didn't get a photo of it but got one of a majestic Blue Heron who flew above us! Today was completely sunny and lovely, and also quite adventurous on the rollers!