Orca Whale Watching in Bremer Canyon fans rejoice! Our pods were back in business today and showed us what they’re really made of!
We began today with a nursery pod of three adults and four juveniles! The cheeky youngsters were practicing their hunting and surging with the occasional spy hop and tail lob. With these youngsters trying to show off, Blackberry the large male orca was always calm and cool and never too far behind. His dorsal slinking up and bursting out of the surface DEMANDING our attention.
As this pod went about their business we were joined by different orca. It was as if they were working together to entertain us. This time it was El Notcho and Hookfin. Two big males just hanging out with us in the canyon. Time stood still when they both slowly cruised past within metres of our vessel at idle. Incredible to witness, I had to pinch myself!!!!!
The pods came together and small slicks appeared but no evidence of the type of prey! Must have been small but tasty enough for the orca to keep playing!
Hundreds of birds swirling above suggested these opportunistic feeders were hungry! We weren’t too sure who wanted a hunt more – us or the birds!
The orca behaviour changed instantly! They surged off heading south west pushing white wash aside. Split Tip who was absent all day joined in on the surge. At least three pods were involved and the excitement levels went up a notch. Were we about to witness a predation?
The orcas pulled back after thirty minutes and it appeared to be an unsuccessful hunt. It was now time to go home but the orca weren’t done with us! They surged behind us flying out of our wake, bursting like little fireworks! fInally with all the passengers now looking out we waved goodbye on another epic day!
The pods at Bremer Canyon are getting active again. We wonder if it will be the same for our Augusta whale watching tours. What do you think?
