T30s and T172 near Race rocks...afternoon trips and awesome morning trip shots!

Five Star Charter's Supercat departed from the Victoria Harbour just after 1300 this beautiful sunny spring day. We were heading out to follow up on sightings of some Transient 'mammal eating' killer whales (Orcinus orca) reported from the morning's whale watch trips. Once we left the harbour we headed into the Strait of Juan De Fuca and south, towards the spectacular Olympic Mountains, on the American side.

Whale watch boat with Mount Olympus, part of the Olympic mountain range, Washington State

long liner fishing boat with Mount Baker, Washington State in the background

We travelled into the strait for nearly half an hour and then slowed down to scan the water for fins; the Transient killer whales hadn't been spotted by the other afternoon whale watch vessels yet. We feared, briefly, that we wouldn't find them but shortly after we stopped we received a radio call that Mark Malleson, on a Prince of Whales vessel had spotted a fin. So we headed in their direction and 20 minutes later we had our first sighting of the T30 group of Transients slowly making their way towards us. We were just southeast of Race Rocks Marine Protected Area which is one of the favorite hunting spots of Transient killer whales in this area. Many harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), Stellar sea lions (Eumatopia jubatus) and elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) haul out at Race Rocks...all Transient killer whale food!

T30s and T172 travelling in the Strait of Juan De Fuca with Mount Olympus in the background

The T30 group of 4 animals consists of a female, her son and two offspring of unknown sex. Later, Mark of POW, informed me that T172 was also travelling with this group...an animal which is not in the 2006 Center For Whale Research catalogue. They travelled slowly eastbound going on 5 minute long dives with 2 - 3 minute surface intervals between. Approximately 20 minutes after we first arrived on scene they surprised us by turning around during a long dive...and started travelling west into the flooding tide. (Today's Big Wave Dave tide table).

Race Rocks lighthouse with scaffolding

Map of Race Rocks (Source: racerocks.com)

About half an hour after our initial sighting of the T30s we headed over to Race Rocks to check out the elephant Seals, Stellar sea lions and harbour seals. All three species were in the area. Approximately 4 elephant seals, 12 Stellar sea lions and many harbour seals hauled out on the rock across from Great Race Rock where the Race Rocks lighthouse stands. As usual, the Stellar sea lions were entertaining to watch as they grumbled, growled and scratched themselves with their hind flippers. After we cruised past Great Race Rock we spotted a couple of juvenile bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) on North Race Rock. We had a really nice look at these two birds and they were great examples of nearly mature juvenile eagles; they were still brown but their heads were starting to show quite a bit of white meaning they are probably getting close to 3 - 5 years of age.

Stellar Sea Lions hauled out at Race Rocks

2 Juvenile (but getting near mature!) bald eagles at North Race Rock

After leaving Race Rocks MPA we returned for a quick look at the Transients who were still travelling west into the flooding tide. We then continued on towards theVictoria harbour making one last stop at Haystock Island off Witty's Lagoon Park; this is another popular harbour seal haulout and feeding area for Transient killer whales (and, in the summer, sunbathing people too!). We saw the bald eagle's nest at Albert Head; one of the pair was sitting in the nest probably incubating the 2-3 eggs they would've laid in the last month or so. After getting a good loook at the eagles we headed back to the Victoria harbour to enjoy the rest of the sunny day onshore!

Adult bald eagle in it's nest near Albert Head

And finally...some amazing shots from Mark Malleson aka Mallard form this morning's sighting of the T30s and T172. Mark reported that they had pursued a Stellar sea lion, which tried to hide out in a kelp mat, but it appeared they decided not to eat it! These are some great shots of an active morning for the Transients!

Amazing photos from Mallard's morning whale watch trip with the T30s and T172