Nehalennia has an Orca encounter off of San Juan, Father(39)s day weekend 2012-gctid392677

[Guest]

We were lucky enough to have some Orca come and visit us West of San Juan Island, WA.

It was amazing.

[Guest]

I never get tired of those beauties. Awesome.

Thanks for sharing and Heppy Fathers Day!

[Guest]

Yes thats really cool! It is so neat when they come that close to you. Once we had a large bull close beside our boat, I swear you could feel his lungs and ribs vibrate as he exhaled going by. Thanks for that.

[Guest]

wow that was awesome.

[Guest]

Thanks guys. It's definitelt exhilarating to see them and hear them so close. They are my favorite animal and simply am awstruck every time we see them.

[Guest]

:wow-

That is waaaay cool !!

Scary, but cool.........

Thank you!

[Guest]

Extremely cool. I think that would freak me out a bit, at least at first.

I saw a big catfish jump this weekend! That count???

[Guest]

wow! That is something we don't see here!

[CUSAO]

We fish for salmon off the north end of Vancouver Island in the fall. The Orca are also there, fishing for salmon, so we see them often. No one chases them but they are around about 5 % of the time. We have had them go under the boat a few times while we were trolling, as our downrigger weights are down about 100' I worry a bit about them hitting the cables, but, they never have and I have never heard about them hitting anyones cables. A couple of times we have had them swim along side for a minute or two at a distance of about 30 to 50'. Some times they will take a hooked salmon, but it has never happened to us.

Al

[Guest]

LazyCrusr wrote:
:wow-

That is waaaay cool !!

Scary, but cool.........

Thank you!

Thanks Sarah

Brad 3055 wrote:
Extremely cool. I think that would freak me out a bit, at least at first.

I saw a big catfish jump this weekend! That count???

You can use the catfish to attract them...maybe....?

wfarr wrote:
wow! That is something we don't see here!

They are a sight to behold for sure

CUSAO wrote:
We fish for salmon off the north end of Vancouver Island in the fall. The Orca are also there, fishing for salmon, so we see them often. No one chases them but they are around about 5 % of the time. We have had them go under the boat a few times while we were trolling, as our downrigger weights are down about 100' I worry a bit about them hitting the cables, but, they never have and I have never heard about them hitting anyones cables. A couple of times we have had them swim along side for a minute or two at a distance of about 30 to 50'. Some times they will take a hooked salmon, but it has never happened to us.

Al

It's something I never take for granted. Each time is simply great. When they come this close is the best. We always shut down so if they approach us we're not disturbing them. The other whale watching boat are always seeming to chase them down (of course keeping the 200 yard distance), but I'll just shut down 1/4 mile away and if they come nearer we're not bothering them.

[hfxjack]

I thought I would post the link below. I too found myself in the path of J, K & L pod about 40 plus whales a few years back in a 11' dinghy. The regulations have changed and being in their path is a big no no.

Our power squadron recently held a programs night where members of the Vancouver Aquarium did a presentation on whales. Here are a few tidbits from that evening:

Each pod has a very different sound we listened to recordings it was amazing to hear.

Males stay with their mothers until mother dies.

Mating occurs between the youngest female and oldest male with the biggest difference in sound

( prevents inbreeding and by the time the young is old enough to breed the father is dead.

http://www.bewhalewise.org/new-regulations/

[Guest]

I'm very familiar with the regs. I felt better knowing I was shut down and quietly floating as there were several other whales around us. I could have moved as these were approaching, but didn't want to run into others we couldn't see. Once the group passed we fired up and left. I honestly felt this best. I'm a fan of the Orca Network on facebook. I got reminded of the regs on my posting there, but also stated the same. I'm aware of the regs but again felt it more safe for everything involved.

[Guest]

great video todd......we've had several encounters with them over the yrs.....always exciting to see them when they come over to see you and check out the floaty thing with the critters riding in it......scary no...they are incredibly intelligent animals and impressive to see up close......

we've had a little female roll upside down and rub her belly down the length of our 24ftr.....THAT was impressive.....

:arr arr

[Guest]

Very cool! Keep those arms and legs inside the boat kids!

[Guest]

Nehalennia wrote:
I'm very familiar with the regs. I felt better knowing I was shut down and quietly floating as there were several other whales around us. I could have moved as these were approaching, but didn't want to run into others we couldn't see. Once the group passed we fired up and left. I honestly felt this best. I'm a fan of the Orca Network on facebook. I got reminded of the regs on my posting there, but also stated the same. I'm aware of the regs but again felt it more safe for everything involved.

I haven't had a run in yet, but I feel the regs are flawed regarding this. You're trolling along and here comes the Orca's...supposed to fire up the main and make a bunch of commotion and possibly run over another one you don't see? Really?