EncDate:15/07/24 

EncSeq:1

Enc#:72

ObservBegin:12:59 PM

ObservEnd:01:47 PM

Vessel:KCB III

Staff:Dave Ellifrit

Other Observers:Rachel John, Arlene Vargas, Charli Grimes

Pods:Bigg's killer whales

LocationDescr:Juan de Fuca Strait

Start Latitude:48 20.08

Start Longitude:123 20.63

End Latitude:48 19.92

End Longitude:123 25.59

 

EncSummary:

The team was working in the office when whales were found south of Victoria somewhere. The whales found turned into a very large number for Bigg’s killer whales with estimates in the thirty range. Most of the whales were reported to be heading north a little south of Trial Island when we committed to going out. The team headed down to Snug Harbor and left in KCB3 at 1205. The day was slightly breezy so we had to bounce our way southwest across Haro Strait. Disappointingly, the whales were reported to have turned around and were now heading southwest. There was some doubt as to whether the effort would be worth it, but we decided to bounce on.

We arrived on scene at 1259 off the southeast corner of Constance Bank. We first saw a group of five that was trailing another larger group about a half mile to the northwest of the trailing group. The trailing group of five did not have anyone watching them so we started there. This group consisted of T117A, T117B, T117B1, T172, and T65A3. They were being somewhat social as they traveled west into sloppy seas. The choppy water meant we saw a lot of chins of surfacing whales but it was hard to catch it when one is stumbling around trying to keep the whales in the frame. We got as good of lefts on this group as conditions would allow before deciding to move on to the larger group. About halfway between the two groups, we saw T49C traveling west-northwest by himself. T49C was taking half minute short dives so it was hard to predict where he’d come up. We got a few shots of him before moving on to the larger group.

The large group was loosely stretched out and were also looking quite social as they traveled west. Several of the young whales were breaching and splashing. This group was being watched by several boats and were moving fairly quickly so we didn’t get that great of pass on them. Most of, or at least members of, the T34s, T36As, T37s, T49As, T65As, T75Bs, and the T77s were in this social gathering. We got a proof of presence on most of the whales in the group before deciding to call it. We moved slowly back toward the rear group, seeing T49C again on the way. We got another chance to take a few more shots on the T117A, T117B1/B1, T172, T65A3 group who were still heading quickly west in a loose group. We ended the encounter at 1347 southwest of Constance Bank.