EncDate:23/06/24 

EncSeq:2​

Enc#:58

ObservBegin:12:52 PM

ObservEnd:01:53 PM

Vessel:Mike 1

Staff:Mark Malleson

Other Observers:Brendon Bissonnette

Pods:L

LocationDescr:Pedder Bay

Start Latitude:48 20.19

Start Longitude:123 32.42

End Latitude:48 18.47

End Longitude:123 32.42

 

EncSummary:

Following their observation of J pod and K pod heading northeast along Beaumont Shoals (see Encounter #57), Mark and Brendon turned westward in the hopes of locating the members of L pod that had been seen earlier that morning along Victoria’s waterfront. Based on their trajectory and the time that had passed, Mark calculated that the whales might be on approach to William Head. At 1252, after pushing their way through some unfavourable water, Brendon spotted the first set of fins passing along the shoreline at William Head - just as Mark had predicted. 

The whales appeared to be in a cohesive formation, yet unlike Js and Ks observed earlier, the L pod whales exhibited a varied composition. Initially, the first photographed group included L55, L83, L90, L105, L118, and the L72s. Their movements appeared scattered as the whales were spread out across the entrance to Pedder Bay, but the majority of whales were predominantly southbound against the incoming flood. At 1258, L55 spyhopped near Mike 1’s port side, followed by the other six whales moving southward behind her. Shortly thereafter, another group surfaced behind, consisting of the L77s along with L22, L25, and L87. Meanwhile, the remaining members of the L55s moved in parallel, while the L94s and L47s remained closer to the Vancouver Island shoreline. All matrilines were represented, except for the L54s, who had been traveling with J pod in the preceding weeks. 

By 1300, all whales were clearly southbound against the flood, making slow progress. As the whales moved through the kelp beds between Edye Point and Rocky Point, several members began tail-slapping, seemingly a blend of excitement and an effort to flush out hidden salmon. Their activity heightened further as multiple whales, including L110, L113, and L72, started spyhopping. Meanwhile, others in the pod began breaching and cartwheeling, including L55, L83, L103, L119, and the youngest member of the pod, L127.

Following a final breach from L87 on Mike 1’s starboard side, the pod of 29 whales began dispersing across Race Passage. Mark and Brendon concluded their observation at 1353, noting the whales' departure to the west.