Tuesday, August 16, 2005

16 August Orcalab reports:

02:59 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
the A12s and A4s are at the Beaches

09:19 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s with A12 and A33 in the lead led the A35s and the C10s into Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, other groups moved past CP and into the entrance of Blackney Pass. One group may be heading up the Hanson shore to the west, some might come into Blackney after the others.

10:52 PDT Distant calls audible.
here is a surprise. Around 10am Stubbs Island Whale Watching and the Bluefjord reported that the Bs popped up, unanounced, in the middle of Blackfish Sound! This was as the A12s/A35s/C10s moved westward through Blackfish. We think it is the A5s (A8s+) and A11s who are still in the Strait. Noone has seen the A30s and A36s this morning. Are they still to the east in Johnstone Strait?

11:22 PDT Distant calls audible.
The Bs just entered the Strait after travelling through Weynton Pass. The A8s and A11s are in the Bight. The A12s & the A35s are heading into Queen charlotte Strait. The C10s have disappeared.

12:10 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A11s sound like they are close to Critical Point in the Bight. The A8s should be with them. The Bs are moving steadily eastward and now can be heard on CP. The A12s & A35s are still in Queen Charlotte Strait.

23:34 PDT No orcas present.
We've heard no calls so far this evening, and are not sure what happened to the A36s as they headed west in Johnstone Strait this afternoon. We think the A11s, A8s, & Bs all headed east after an intense rub, and that the A12s, A35s & C10s headed north into Queen Charlotte Strait. We are waiting.

Monday, August 15, 2005

15 August Orcalab reports

11:06 PDT No calls but orcas nearby

Oh Boy! It was very difficult to read the c10 calls and figure out what direction they ended up going. max flood was happening just when we stopped hearing their calls and logic would have them taking advantage of the tide to go east but we never heard the calls get very loud on the critical Point station. Meanwhile the a12s and the A4s have been seen in Queen Charlotte Strait. They are slowly east bound at Black Bluff. (Tuan/Seasmoke Whale Watching report).

18:48 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
We feel like we have been in suspended animation. The A12s and the A35s took forever to come out of Queen Charlotte Strait and into Blackfish Sound and through Blackney Pass. It was worth it! They were beautiful passing the lab. They are now on their way to Johnstone Strait and hopefully CP.

19:23 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s and A35s have passed CP now and crossed over to mid strait, they are making their way to the east slowly.

21:31 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
No calls but the whales are at the beaches.

Sunday, August 14, 2005

14 August Orcalab reports

03:35 PDT Orcas hunting fish.
We are hearing A1 echo locations on PI hydrophone. it possibbly the A12s, we believe everybody else have continued to the east after rubbing. soundslike they are coming into Blackney Pass.

04:36 PDT Orcas relaxing.
The A12s have gone to the north through Blackney Pass.

10:03 PDT No orcas present.
Another foggy morning here. We think the A12s continued up into Queen Charlotte Strait after passing through blackney pass at 4:30am. There has been a report of whales off Lizard Point milling. As of now there has been no identifications. Down to the east the A36s are off Kelsey Bay (Robson Bight Charters report). They are headed east with others yet to be identified. We thought that after the 1:30am rub the A30s, A4s, A5s, Cs and A36s went off to the east. The A5s we believe came up from the east to have the rub and encourage the others to follow them back to the east. We will keep you updated when the information comes in. meanwhile, we are waiting for the thick fog to lift and begin our day.

11:57 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The a12s have moved into the kelp bed just off Donegal Head. This is just out of range of the Flower Island hydrophone. We also heard a report (kayak group) of a group of 9 heading west along the vancouver Island shore from Naka Creek (also out of range). So.... it is all beginng to happen.

O12:42 PDT rcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The whales from the east have not yet gone into the beaches but they have approached the east end of the Reserve. We are filming, CH B.The A12s meanwhile are heading to the Strait via Weynton Pass.
Distant calls audible.

13:14 PDT The A12s have entered the Strait. Unidentified whales are still westbound through the Reserve.

14:06 PDT Orcas near mics.
Ah ha! It must have been the A4s coming up from the east. They just passed Critical Point very closely. The a12s are coming east along the Hanson Island shore at Big b|Bay. CP is watching them.

17:25 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s and the A4s, after reaching Blinkhorn, turned and crossed into mid strait. they are now drifting eastward. there is a small group of transients by Donegal Head moving west into Queen Charlotte Strait.

20:14 PDT No orcas present.
The a12s are still asleep, drifting east toward the Bight. When will they wake up?

21:42 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A12s have become very vocal as the head through Blackney Pass. We're listening to them on the Parson Island hydrophone.

Saturday, August 13, 2005

13 August Orcalab reports

04:54 PDT Superb sounds!!
We are listening to the A12s who come back from the east.

06:10 PDT Distant calls audible.
the A12s and the A4s became quiet. now we are listening to the A36s, on CP hydrophone. Foggy morning.

08:17 PDT Distant calls audible.
We think we are getting the next wave of orcas coming up out of the east. We are now listening to the cs and possibly the A5s as well. The A36s,A11s and the A12s faded off to the west a short while ago. Very foggy this morning.

09:34 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The A30s have arrived back in the Strait and have met up with the A12s,A4s,A36s and Cs. they are eastbound from the west end of Hanson Island. meanwhile the very big group of transients of the last couple of days just went through Blackney to blackfish Sound after passing CP.

10:01 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The whales have moved down the hanson shore and approaching the entrance to Blackney Pass. We may be filming soon.

11:30 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
It is certainly one of those days - very intense. The transients are continuing west from the west end of Blackfish Sound while the residents (the A36s, Cs (C10s,C6s), A4s (A11s at least) and A30s continue to move into the Reserve. The A12s turned back to the west at the Sophias and are moving towards CP once more.

15:01 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
the A12s are up to (but not in) Weynton Passage and the A36s & Cs are moving west towards CP.

17:46 PDT Distant calls audible.
all the groups have turned. Spread out, heading to the east.

18:23 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
As the A12s went the farthest east they became last on the turn. We are currently listening to the A30s closing in on the bight & Critical Point .
Helena
13 Aug 2005 18:23:38 PDT

Friday, August 12, 2005

12 August Oraclab reports

09:55 PDT No orcas present.
Rather a late start this morning. But it was quiet through the night. There are still whales to the east (most likely the A4s/A5s/C10s and A12s). There is no further word on the Rs or the transients of yesterday. Calm day and we will see what unfolds.

11:43 PDT No orcas present.
Everyone in the western Johnstone Strait is happily watching various humpbacks in different locales. There are 3 in Blackney Pass at the moment. Meanwhile,the C10s are far to the east,at Camp Point, while the A12s are travelling with the A4s and A5s in Nodales Channel which is not too far from the Cs.

15:58 PDT No orcas present.
Over the afternoon there have been a few developments: a group of orcas may be nearing the Eve River on their way to the west. This may be the C10s who were reported earlier going west from Camp Point. The a36s apparently turned up in Nodales! We lost track of them days ago and they must have gone east and not out to the west as first guessed. The other surprise is that there have been persistent reports of the A12s off Campbell River. Earlier it was reported that they and the A4s and A5s were in Nodales.The latest report has them and the A11s heading north through Seymour Narrows (north of Campbell River).

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

10 August Orcalab reports

00:38 PDT Orcas near mics.
Sounds like the A12s are coming up to CP closer to Cracroft shore. Their calls are on CP hydrophone.

00:58 PDT Orcas near mics.
the A12s are heading into Blackney Pass.

01:53 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s and (maybe)the A36s have cleared into Blackfish sound.
Tomoko

08:13 PDT Distant calls audible.
Good morning everyone! We began hearing distant calls from the A12s on the Critical Point hydrophone a little after 7am. It sounds like they have returned to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. We don't know if the A36s are with them.

08:29 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
Some of the A12s are visible through the fog off CP as they head east. Channel A.

09:02 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12s very slowly passed CP and disappeared to the east in the fog, when we last saw them most of them were crossing to the Vancouver Island shore and aiming for the reserve. Others were farther back but also aiming for the other side.

09:34 PDT Distant calls audible.
We've been hearing distant calls on the Critical Point hydrophone as the A12s make their way to the east in Johnstone Strait.

11:52 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
It looks like the A12s are passing the rubbing beaches, heading east, without going in for a rub.

12:10 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Some of the A12s are rubbing! Channel B.

14:26 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s turned back to the west after their rub, and are now approaching the Sophias, heading towards CP. They will probably be visible on Channel A soon.

16:40 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
Lots happening! the A12s turned off big bay and are now headed across to the Vancouver Island shore. A group of transient orcas have come out of Knight Inlet and are headed toward Donegal Head. And finally, the very BIG group which was seen earlier in the day is still far to the west of the "core area". Some of the groups have broken off and moved away while another group remains off the Port Hardy airport and is still eastbound. There is not yet a complete description of who has been positively sighted but it may include A4s, A5s along with Cs.

20:07 PDT No orcas present.
We believe the A12s continued to the east.

20:36 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
Famous last words. The A12s have formed a resting line and are coming off the Reserve centre Strait approaching the Sophias. Tuckered out!

22:53 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Everyone is momentarily quiet BUT the Rs are negotiating the last part of Blackney while the A12s,A4s, A5s and Cs are passing Critical Point. Strange how they all fell silent at the same time!

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

9 August Orcalab reports

08:49 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s are heading west in Johnstone Strait - A12 & A33 are off CP & are visible on Channel A. We began hearing their calls on the Critical Point hydrophone around 7:30am.

09:51 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A12s are still slowly westing at the top end of Hanson Island and may well go through Weynton Passage.

11:29 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12s turned to the east at about 10:30am, they are currently very close to the Hanson Island shore but we can't see them yet. However if they stay on this side we will film on Channel A.

12:49 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The a12s have crossed the entrance to Blackney Pass and are passing CP right now. A12 and A33 have been in the lead as the group travelled along the Hanson shore into the rip off Blackney. They are still leading.

15:25 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The a12s, just a moment ago, reached the Main rubbing beach. We are sending an alert. Ch. B

16:31 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
After the rub the a12s headed out from the beaches fairly quickly to the west. They crossed over to the Cracroft side and are currently of the Boat Bay light at Swaine Point. It looks like they are again choosing to come up the Cracroft shore towrd CP. The naiad and the Lukwa reported that the A36s are in Queen Charlotte Strait near the Penfolds along with an as yet undintified group at Lizard Point.

17:51 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s are heading towards CP from the Sophias & are visible on Channel A.

19:09 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Time to catch up. The A12s came up to Blackney in time to meet up with the A36s who came in via Weynton passage. Both groups are now eastbound.

20:04 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A12s and the A36s are nearing the Bight.

20:32 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Back to the beaches.

21:28 PDT Distant calls audible.
After a beautiful rub by sunset the A36s appeared to head to the east. The A12s didn't make it that far yet and light is fading.

22:46 PDT Distant calls audible.
We're hearing the A12s in the distance on the Critical Point hydrophone again, so it seems they're returning to the west, probably on the Cracroft Island side of the Strait.

Monday, August 08, 2005

8 August, Orcalab reports:

08:15 No orcas present.
Good morning everyone! We heard no calls overnight, & are not at all sure what happened to the A12s after they were headed west in Johnstone Strait last evening. We are waiting.

09:52 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
CP can see blows on the Cracroft side headed toward CP.

11:45 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
After very slowly going west up to the top edge of Hanson Island the A12s crossed the straight to the Vancouver Island shore and are now going east. They have just passed Kaikash Beach.

13:28 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A12s have hardly made any calls today but upon entering Robson Bight they did call. It may only be a brief event however they are fairly near the hydrophone. The a12s earlier came west near to the Cracroft side, then moved up the Hanson shore, crossed to Vancouver Island and then returned to the Reserve where they are now. No word on the A36s today so far. Yesterday they were seen up in Queen Charlotte Strait for part of the afternoon and early evening.

14:20 Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The A12s have reached the Main rubbing beach... we've sent an alert.

14:30 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
It looks like the rub is over, though we're not sure. We aren't sure what direction the A12s headed in after their rub either, though we should know soon.

15:20 PDT Orcas near mics.
We're hearing close calls & echolocation on the Critical Point hydrophone... sounds like the A12s headed back to the west after their rub, & are now in Robson Bight again.

16:15 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
Westbound A12s again.

16:54 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s are foraging off the Sophias, they appear to be coming west we have them on Channel A, still quite distant.

18:12 PDT Orcas near mics.
After foraging for a while the A12s have now started to make their way to the west slowly, very spread out and most aiming for mid strait. A12 we think is making her way along the Hanson Island shore.

18:14 PDT Distant calls audible.
It looks like the A12s are continuing to the west.

20:11 PDT Distant calls audible.
The Lukwa (Stubbs Island Whale Watching) let us know that the A36s are coming towards Blackfish Sound slowly. Meanwhile we are continuing to listen to the A12s in the Strait. Jackie remarked on how A62 and her little one (A83) were with Dalls porpoise. The A12s are probably still near the western end of Hanson Island/Blinkhorn in Johnstone Strait.


22:18 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
Not sure at this point where the A12s and the A36s are - very hard to track because of the infrequent calling.

Sunday, August 07, 2005

7 August, Orcalab report

00:33 PDT Distant calls audible.
We have started hearing the A12s again on CRPT hydrophone. They may have had turned at some point now heading east to the Bight.

02:12 PDT Boat noise
Sounds like the A12s have already passed Critical Point.

03:02 PDT Distant calls audible.
Sounds like some of the A12s passed the Rubbing beach on the way to go east.

09:20 PDT Orcas near mics.
Sounds like the A12s just rounded Critical Point headed to the west.

10:45 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s are steadily moving west but stll east of CP.

12:49 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s have turned back to the east & are mid Strait off Blackney Pass. They are visible on Channel A.

14:27 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
After foraging and resting opposite CP the A12s have now headed to the east, the A34s are very lively after sleeping.

15:56 PDT Superb sounds!!
The a12s have reached the Bight.

16:35 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The A12s are at the rubbing beaches!

19:38 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A12s are slowly travelling west along the Vancouver Island shore approaching Kaikash Beach. We can't see them very clearly at the moment, but if they come closer we will film.

21:52 PDT No orcas present.
We lost track of the A12s as the sun set, they were moving very slowly west along the Vancouver Island shore.

Saturday, August 06, 2005

A12s 060805

6 August Orcalab reports

02:14 PDT Boat noise
a little whale ago, we started hearing the A12s on the CRPT hydrophone, but they became quiet again.

08:23 PDT Distant calls audible.
Good morning! The A12s have come up from the east and are westing in Johnstone Strait at the moment.

09:59 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12s continued west and are passing Kaikash at the moment. We are not sure what the A36s did after entering the Strait via Weynton last night so we will have to wait and see where they turn up. The sun is struggling to break through the clouds and the wind is stirring.

10:34 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
Apparently the A36s doubled back to Blackfish after poking their noses into Johnstone Strait last night. They were seen headed towards Bold Head around 8:30pm. This morning, we just received the report, the researchers off Malcolm Island saw the A36s headed west near Black Bluff. The report came via the Naiad Explorer. The Lukwa ,meanwhile informed us that the A12s are still making their way to the west nering Blinkhorn.

11:56 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s just turned and are moving back to towads the Wastells (just east of Telegraph Cove). The A34s are close to Vancouver Island shore while a12 and A33 are more centre Strait. The Naiad Explorer also relayed that the A36s are eastbound in Queen Charlotte Strait approaching Lizard Point.

13:55 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12s are far on the Vancouver Island shore between Kaiaksh & Izumi Rock.

15:16 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A12s are in the Bight. The A36s apparently turned back to the west after getting to Lizard Point.

16:42 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12s are coming out of the Reserve. they are spread out with A55 & A67 outside the boundary furthest to the west and A12 & A33 still east of critical. The rest of the A34s are off critical Point. (Tuan/Seamoke report)

18:35 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s are heading west, past CP (Channel A)

18:51 PDT Superb sounds!!
As you may have guessed the A12s are in front of CP. We sent an alert. Ch. A

23:07 PDT No orcas present.
The A12s were last seen to the west of CP. It has been quiet now for a while.

Friday, August 05, 2005

5 August Orcalab reports

01:12 PDT Distant calls audible.
We are listening to the A12s off CP. They came out from Blackney Pass.

06:18 PDT Orcas near mics.
Sounds like the A12s are having their breakfast in the Bight. Foggy morning.

09:45 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
We have just seen A33 and perhaps A12 near the Sophia's coming our way very slowly, its quite foggy at the moment down there but when they get closer we will film,

11:11 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
A12, A33 and A55 passed CP and are now westing slowly around Big Bay on the Hanson Island shore. The rest of the A34s are still very playful and pacing back and forth at the bottom end of Hanson Island in Blackney Pass.

13:24 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s didn't get very far and after foraging for a long time near Blinkhorn, they have turned to the east and are now coming our way again. Channel A.

13:28 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s have turned back to the east and are heading down the Hanson shore towards the rips in the entrance to Blackney Pass. The A34s are ahead with A12 and A33 behind.

13:45 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A12s have become vocal & are foraging in front of CP (Channel A). We've sent an alert.

15:01 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A34s finally headed to the east from CP with Pacific Whitesided Dolphins, A33 and A12 were far ahead on the Vancouver Island shore.

17:27 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12s made their way to the east after foraging off CP, and are now in Robson Bight - we're hearing them on the Critical Point hydrophone. Meanwhile, we have also been hearing the A36s on the Flower Island hydrophone... it sounds like they are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound.

17:40 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A12s sound like they're now close to the Critical Point hydrophone - we're hearing calls & echolocation, so they must be having a bite in the Bight!

18:46 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12s are moving up the Strait once again. Their calls are now on CP.

19:17 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A34s are coming towards CP on our side to the west followed by dolphins. A33 we can see on the Vancouver Island side. Channel A.

23:26 PDT No orcas present.
We've heard no calls for several hours, and are not sure what happened to the A12s, or the A36s. We are waiting.

Thursday, August 04, 2005

4 August Orcalab reports

08:25 PDT Orcas hunting fish.
Since 7:48am we have been hearing echolocation on Critical Point. We believe the A12s and the A30s went to the east just before 1am. we have also been following reports from Campbell River (thank you)of fairly large group(s) headed toward Seymour Narrows leading us to wonder if the groups that had reached Comox the other day are beginning to make their way back to Johnstone Strait. The A36s and the A8s have spent their time for the last several days together in the eastern regions of the Strait. Meanwhile, lovely day hear, clear skies and a warm sun.

09:08 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
We just received a report from the Wardens that there are 3 groups going back and forth near Boat Bay. Currently the whales are moving eastward. This maybe the A30s, A12s, A36s and A8s.

11:13 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
There are two groups, we think the A30s and the A12s heading towards us from Izumi, they are quite spread out and foraging. More whales are reported in the reserve, but we don't have full details on those whales yet. Surface camera is on channel A.

11:24 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Oh boy, some of the Gs have made it this far and are spread along the Vancouver Island shore heading west. The A30s are in the lead and moving quickly. We are filming but I 'll send out an alert.

13:05 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The whales have moved to the west. They are spread out from Telegraph Cove to the entrance of Weynton Pass. They have not made it easy to make identifications. They are not very vocal now and they are taking long dives while travelling fast. We need them to put on the breaks and turn!

14:38 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12s and the A36s have turned and are eastbound along the Hanson Island shore. The G1s,I11s and the A30s are continuing west, still travelling fast approaching Alert Bay.

14:50 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A36s and the A12s are getting closer to the bottom end of Hanson Island. We are filming. I'll send an alert ahead of time. Sorry if you never got the previous alert. I forgot to push the button.

16:38 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A36s and the A12s are in the Bight after travelling east spread out between both shores. The other groups are still westing.

17:40 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
the A12s are at the beaches, the A36s not too far away.

20:05 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A36s "did a little turn and to everyone's satisfaction" are headed toward CP. The A12s are eastbound again opposite the Reserve on the Cracroft side of mid strait.

20:52 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A36s have gone off to Blackfish Sound to find the sunset while the A12s continued in the direction of tomorrow's sunrise.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

3 August Orcalab reports

08:08 PDT No orcas present.
We think that both the A30s and the A12s ended up going through Blackney Pass last night. Although they were silent there were enough blows for groups to be there. We didn't hear anything overnight so it is difficult to know whether or not the whales continued out to the west or circled back to the Strait. Foggy here this morning and still quiet.

08:45 PDT Orcas hunting fish.
We began hearing very close echo location on Critical Point in the Bight a short while after hearing distant calls at 8:30am

08:49 PDT Distant calls audible.
Besides the whales closer to the Bight there is another group on the very far side of the Strait near Kaikash. This group is west bound. The Strait does not have fog like Blackney Pass at the moment.

09:11 PDT Distant calls audible.
Since the whales "opened" up and became vocal we believe the group nearer the Reserve is the A30s while the A12s are further west. A12 is crossing toward CP and so we are filming. I'll send out an Alert.

030805

10:58 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s look like they might head into Weynton Passage. meanwhil, the A30s are coming toward the CP area from Kaiakash. The humpback continues to circle in front of CP.

12:37 PDT Distant calls audible.
The a12s have come "out" of Weynton and are headed toward Bold Head while the A30s have decided to turn back to the east after spending a lot of time off of CP milling and foraging.

14:50 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The A30s are rubbing. The A12s are west of Bold head.

16:21 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A30s left the beaches to the west while the A12s continued into Queen Charlotte Strait.

19:44 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s continued west from the CP area to the "top" end of Hanson Island and meanwhile the A12s are in the process of making their way back to the Strait via Weynton Passage after spending part of the afternoon in Queen Charlotte Strait. Today there wer four minke whales, dolphin, porpoises and humpbacks too as well as the orcas!

22:07 PDT Distant calls audible.
Both the A30s and the A12s are probably eastbound in the strait The A30s have been the most vocal. The A12s may be resting.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

02 August Orcalab reports

02:49 PDT Distant calls audible.
We are listening to the A1 calls, possibly from the A12s, on CART hydrophone.

03:55 PDT Superb sounds!!
Sounds like tha A12s are coming into Blackney Pass.

04:11 PDT Boat noise
A cruise ship is heading north in Blackney Pass, overtaking the A12s.

04:19 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A12s have resumed calling after the passage of the cruise ship. They are now close to Hanson Island, near the Local Left hydrophone, heading into Blackfish Sound.

04:38 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12s have gone to Blackfish Sound. Their calls are on Flower Islad hydrophone.

09:40 PDT Distant calls audible.
We began hearing distant "A1" calls on the Flower Island hydrophone a short while ago. Sounds like either the A12s or A30s (or both) are back at the "top" of Blackfish Sound.

11:02 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s have moved into Johnstone Strait. A12 and A33 are taking the Hanson shore and the A34s are crossing over to the Vancouver Island side at Blinkhorn, The A30s are off Bold Head in Blackfish Sound. We are waiting for details about the whales further east. There have been no updates this morning on the very large group of orcas that were off Comox yesterday afternoon. (These whales had gone through Seymour Narrows and past Campbell River the previous day. Only the A11s and the G17s continued out of the area. Perhaps the A12s and the A30s are waiting (as we are) for the return of the others. Might be an interesting few days.

15:16 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A30s have reached Robson Bight again, heading west, after travelling a short distance to the east. We don't think they went into the rubbing beaches. Meanwhile, the A12s are headed west, mostly along the Vancouver Island side, but A12 & A33 are on the Cracroft Island side, approaching the Sophias - it's possible they will come into view from CP soon.

17:18 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s are going west along the Vancouver Island shore from Little Kaikash, A38 is mid strait. The A12s are at Blinkhorn westing we think.

19:22 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A30s and A12s turned to the east at about 18:00pm. The A30s have just passed Kaikash Beach along the Vancouver Island shore and the A12s are farther back all grouped up and appear to be resting.

20:08 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
After travelling west the A12s and the A30s turned around 6pm. The A12s are very slowly making their way toward Little Kaikash while angling out from the Vancouver Isalnd shore. The A30s are approaching the Reserve very close to Vancouver Island. We eventually did hear that the A36s and the A8s were off Camp Point before moving back to Nodales Channel.