September 18, 2011

September continues to be transient orca month. Both the Pacific Explorer and Orca Spirit headed out on 1 pm trips and we were fortunate enough to encounter an orca just minutes after leaving the harbour! The large male transient orca, T31, was encountered just east of Albert Head. At an estimated 57 years of age, T31, is one of the oldest male orcas on the west coast and perhaps one of the largest. This male has been lurking around the Victoria quite a bit over the last month and it was a true pleasure to see him again. He was travelling slowly, perhaps even resting, although it is hard to tell with a group of only one orca. After our encounter, both the Pacific Explorer and Orca Spirit headed out to see what else we could find. Aboard the Pacifc Explorer, we found a small group of Dall's porpoise that were delighting us with their speed and agility. We had a great tour through Race Rocks with the many sea lions entertaining our guests. We had one last brief stop with T31 near Albert Head before heading back to the harbour after another wonderful afternoon on the Salish Sea.