Friday, August 5

WHALES, SEA BIRDS, SCENERY, AND SEA OTTERS.

Day 298 – It appears the rain is over for a few days. Today was a perfect day for a whalewatching trip. It was 54 degrees when we woke up, but it had reached 60 by the time we left for Port McNeill at 10:30 a.m. It was partly cloudy with no wind and calm seas when we checked in at MacKay Whale Watch at 11:30.

Everyone taking the tour met at the dock for a brief safety talk with Bill MacKay. Then he went around and asked the twenty or so passengers where they were from. We were the only two people from the United States. There were some from British Columbia, and others were from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. This was a family business: Bill was the captain of the boat and part-time narrator, and he had a great personality. Uncle Ron was the fish expert and photographer. And another relative was the Guide. The boat was 55’ long, plenty of room for all of us, with a lower level and upper level, and a restroom on board. We departed at 12 noon.

We were on the top deck for most of the trip; they had everyone switch off during the trip. There was a better overall view from the upper level, but the lower level put you almost on the same level as the whales, birds, and otters – advantages to both. The scenery was great with islands and the deep blue Ocean, the clouds and the clear skies. People were really nice and friendly, and the crew were great. Our Guide spent lots of time telling us plenty about whales and sea otters – the captain was the birder and all were very knowledgeable.

We headed out into Broughton Sound, traveling south and east around the many islands, and slowed down or stopped numerous times to view the wildlife we encountered. Our first Whale sighting was a Minke. Then we stopped for a Humpback Whale. Next, we stopped and spent time with an Orca (Killer) Whale family of six. Each time we stopped we spent up to ½ hour with the whale(s). Lastly, we stopped three different times for groups of Humpbacks.

In between the different whale sightings, we traveled to different Sea Otter colonies. In total there were much more than 50 Sea Otters. They are adorable! If all the world could enjoy life and relax like a Sea Otter, there would be no more war, no more unhappiness, and no more fighting.

Throughout the trip, there were many different sea birds and several Bald Eagles. The sea birds included: Common Murres, Northern Phalaropes, Rhinocerous Auklets, Dunlins, and various Sea Gulls. These birds appeared to be pretty darn happy with their lives, too.

This was a really good tour. If you are ever in Port McNeill BC, we highly recommend: MacKay Whale Watch; 1514 Broughton Blvd.; phone (250) 956-9865. This was a four-hour tour at $140 per person (Canadian currency).

After the tour, we stopped at Subway in Port McNeill and picked up sandwiches for dinner. Heading back to the RV, we saw a young Black Bear by the side of the road, getting ready to cross. Yesterday we saw a Martin crossing the highway at around the same area. Our next wildlife tour is Tuesday and we’ll be looking for Grizzly Bears. Meanwhile, our own little furry bears were happy to see us when we got back to the RV.