Orca Watching (throwback post)

Orcas

Vancouver Island is a good place for spotting orcas, or killer whales. There are quite a few businesses that run tours out of Victoria, but we opted for Eagle Wings, as it seemed from the write-ups to be a reliable and ethical company, which takes care not to harm the wellbeing of these creatures.

Bald Eagles

We were very happy with the tour. The rules around orca watching limit how long any boat can spend alongside them. Eagle Wings take you out on a slightly longer trip, and take their time reaching the orcas, so that by the time we arrive, most of the other boats are leaving.

Seals

On the way, we passed by a pair of Bald Eagles, and some seals. A few seals took a swim around the boat, but many of them were hauled out on a rock, eyeing us to see if we were going to get close enough to worry them, and then ignoring us when it was clear we weren’t.

Seals

Soon enough, we were on our way to find the orcas. The code of conduct requires the boats to keep quite a distance, and not to ‘chase’ them. The orcas have no such rules, so the hope is that you will get lucky, and the orcas will decide to come to the boat.

Orcas

We did have a very brief moment when a couple came up close, giving us a bit of a surprise when they popped up, but most of the time they were more interested in feeding or just chilling out in the water to take any notice of us.

Orcas

There was a good sized pod here though, and whilst they didn’t get up to any exciting tricks, we enjoyed watching them. We weren’t the only ones watching, there was also a little boat out with marine biologists keeping watch on the tour boats and the orcas, monitoring their patterns. They also had a dog on board. This isn’t just any dog though, as he has an important role in tracking the orcas. How does he track them? He is trained to track the smell of their poo. Bet you weren’t expecting that!

Poo sniffing orca tracking dog

The guys on the boat were pretty knowledgeable about the orcas, and gave us lots of interesting information, including about some of the dangers they are facing. One of which is the use of pesticides.

Orcas

That may seem strange, as we don’t generally use them in the sea, and orcas don’t eat plants, but the issue is that the pesticides do end up in the sea, and they get absorbed by the various fish and other sea creatures.

Orcas

And because orcas are big fish, at the top end of their food chain, the accumulated residue of the pesticides in their food is quite substantial, and causes fertility and breeding problems. So cut out those pesticides where you can, and help save the orcas. 

Crane

Orcas

 

Orcas

Orcas

Orcas

Orcas

Orcas

Orcas