Morning Tour
Into the Salish Sea we went, with waves rolling by and a glint of sun in the sky. We traveled South and just to the East of Race Rocks Ecological Reserve. With our eyes glued to the water we made a searching arc towards the West where we saw a blow appear in the distance. A visible blow is normally the indicator for a Humpback Whale but we were curious to ID the animal in person. We approach the lingering whale breath in the air. It was a Humpback whale! It was diving into the depth searching for food and gave us a great look at its big tail. After viewing the Humpback whale we continued onto Race Rocks Ecological Reserve itself. Here California and Steller Sea Lions were relaxing and Harbour Seals were flopping about. We were even treated to the majestic sight of a Bald Eagle perched on the top of the rocks before we turned North and headed for home.
Afternoon Tour
The sun was peaking out from behind the clouds as we cruised out of Victoria harbor. We cruised South towards the Olympic Mountains and caught up with perhaps the same Humpback Whale from this morning, just South of the Race Rocks Lighthouse. This individual had a very particular pattern of 3-4 breaths, a lazy tail fluke and then 10 minute or so dives. A good sign for the whale’s diet, there must have been lots of food around. At one point it surfaced just behind our boat, we heard it breath before we saw it. After a brilliant viewing of it’s dorsal side, blow holes and the start of the tubercles on the Humpback whale’s head, we left the forger to find more fish and moved towards Race Rocks Ecological Reserve. There was a party going on on the main island. Sea Lions blanketed the rock faces: Steller and California’s barking, scratching themselves and sunbathing. Of course the small Harbour Seals were not to be out done and adorably stretched out in the shallows. As we cruised home in the sun’s evening glow, we couldn’t help but feel Summer had made a reappearance.