K and L-Pod Sightings

July 28, 2010

In the morning we headed west on the Orca Spirit to where we had last sighted some of the Resident Orcas. As we crossed the Haro Stait, we spotted blows off our bow and slowly made our way in to have a look. It was K and L pod Resident Orca members traveling together in a tight group. As we watched them surface, we managed to identify some of the group including the large male Cappuccino. We were also able to witness some very interesting mating displays. On the way back to the harbor, we stopped in to have a look at a Gray Whale off Oak Bay and got some great looks as she stayed near the surface. We also saw two Bald Eagles and some Harbour Seals up on the rocks. A truly eventful morning!

This afternoon we took out the Pacific Explorer and made our way east to the San Juan Islands. We met up with a large group of the L Pod Resident Orca family right along the shore near Lime Kiln. We enjoyed watching them in a resting pattern, grouped close together and surfacing in unison. We headed back to Oak Bay in hopes of meeting up with the Gray Whale and we were pleased to find it surfacing right near a rock where the Harbour Seals were sunbathing. What a beautiful sight!