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Morning Tours

Our morning started out with amazing clear skies. We could see Mt Baker clearly in the distance to the North East and the Olympic Mountains to the South were as majestic as ever. Over glassy calm seas we set out in search of wildlife.

Trio of Humpbacks
Trio of Humpback Whales, Photo by Naturalist Emma, Image taken with zoom lens and heavily cropped.

As we ventured to the south we found ourselves a trio of Humpback Whales. The whale would dive not in unison but one after another. This allowed us to get photo identification photos of 2 of the 3 whales. The nearly all-black whale tails were difficult to identify but we managed to confirm our sightings were of two previously sighted whales: Pantera and Tulip.

Humpback Whale
The Hump of a humpback whale, photo by Naturalist Emma, Image taken with zoom lens and heavily cropped.

After viewing the three Humpback Whales for several dive-surfacing cycles we headed onward in search of more wildlife. At Race Rocks Ecological Reserve we were treated to a growing group of Steller Sea Lions. The sea lions are returning after a two month hiatus while they we at their breeding grounds. Our visit to Race Rocks was capped off with a sighting of a majestic bald eagle and some Harbour Seals on some of the small islands.

Harbour Seals
Harbour Seals at Race Rocks. Photo by Naturalist Emma, Image taken with zoom lens and heavily cropped.

Afternoon Tours

We set out again under glorious viewing conditions. With very little breeze the calm seas sparkled under the sunny skies. We soon found some Humpbacks to the South of Victoria. We had only been with the first whale for a few minutes when we spotted another blow in the distance. We decided to go and investigate. There we found another Humpback Whale diving for food.

Humpback Tail
Humpback whales in the afternoon. The Olympic mountains visible in the distance. Photo by Naturalist Emma. Image taken with zoom lens and heavily cropped.

As we watched our second whale we saw more and more blows all around us. There were at least ten Humpback Whales in the area. We soon bid our second whale farewell and headed on toward another blow. We were essentially playing “connect the dots” but with Humpback Whales!

Sea Lions at Race Rocks
Sea Lions at Race Rocks. Photo by Naturalist Emma. Image taken with zoom lens and heavily cropped.

After a few more humpback sightings we headed over to Race Rocks Ecological Reserve where the Steller Sea Lions greeted us with their roars. What an awesome day on the water!

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