20 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The I15s (and maybe I33s) went north through Blackney Pass. When they got into Blackfish sound, we heard A1 calls with them. Did the A12s come down to pick them up? The A30s are still somewhere near the bight.
Tomoko
20 Aug 2007 02:46:57 PDT

No orcas present.

It was a busy night! After the I15s,A30s, and I33s arrived in Robson Bight and did all that beautiful calling, they stalled off the Ecological Reserve for a while. In the end, the I15s and the I33s peeled away from the A30s and headed to the entrance of Blackney Pass around 12:30am. The I15s and the I33s travelled through Blackney Pass to the north, (they cleared Blackney Pass by 1:30am) leaving the A30s heading further east in the Strait. The last I15/I33 in Blackfish Sound calls were at 2:07am. We also heard a few distant surprise A1 calls in Blackfish Sound. There had beena few A12 like calls in the Strait earlier and we will review these and the A1 calls in Blackfish Sound to see if any of the A12s came back "up" the Strait and out with the I15s/I33s. If so, perhaps that was what all the waiitng off the Reserve was about between 12 and 1 am. The last A30 calls were at 3:13am.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 07:32:58 PDT

Distant calls audible.

After a radio report of a group of 15 plus just entering Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass we began to hear, through the horrific boat noise, a few distant I15 calls. They may still have the I33s with them. We may also be hearing As.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 09:00:46 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Busy, reports are coming in that there are westbound whales as well as the groups returning and heading east. Possibly, the various A groups (some or even all?) have come up from the east. The scene will get a bit clearer in a while when there is visual information. We are hampered by the constant boat noise. We are hearing As as well as the G clan calls. Exciting!
Helena
20 Aug 2007 09:10:55 PDT

Orcas near mics.

A lot has been happening. The A12s came up from the east, met up with the I15s off of CP, turned and went back toward Vancouver Island BUT then the A12s pulled away and headed off to the west along Hanson Island. The I15s and the I33s continued toward Robson Bight.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 11:45:17 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

At 11:50am a barge loaded with equipment tipped over in Robson Bight spilling its load of equipment into the water near Critical Point. The authorities are on scene assessing the damage. The I15s and the I33s were close when this happened. They grouped up and headed off to the east. We have heard some of their calls (and recently rubs) on the rubbing beach system since. The A12s, at about 12:20pm, turned around off Turn Point and are now eastbound off Hanson Island.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 12:51:40 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s just travelled north through Blackney Pass into Blackfish Sound. They have just become vocal. The I15s and the I33s continued east.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 14:48:21 PDT

No orcas present.

This is one time I am happy to report that there are no whales calling. The A12s,as far as we know continued west and the I15s and the I33s continued east. There are a lot of whales in the general area and this has to be a concern. The oil slick is growing and the news so far is very troublesome. We will try to keep you updated as information comes in.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 17:11:55 PDT