The last few days having been simply amazing. Here is the story of the last day.
Yesterday the hydrophone was never quiet. Orca's calling each other and the beautiful sound of humpbacks "singing" their incredible feeding calls, filled my ears. Usually, humpbacks stop feeding and singing after dark, but not last night (the feeding must have been good!). I volunteered to stay up and wait to mark the time when all became quiet. Later as I was falling asleep in my tent, the puffing sound of Dall's porpoise breaths could be heard nearby, along with the distant tonal blows of humpbacks. Just as I was drifting to sleep, there was a splash on the rocks below, followed by the heavy breathing in the dark. Then there was something running in the underbrush around my tent. As I drifted back to sleep, I guessed a harbour seal or a Stellar sea lion was taking a nap on the rocks below and perhaps a mink was enjoying the bright moonlight for a romp through the forest.
This morning started early, my alarm awakening me at 530am. By 630am I was out on the water in search for whales. The hours that followed were breathtaking.
Adidas and Misty, a pair of humpbacks, gave me smiles, laughter, surprise, breathtaking awe, and tears of joy today. Having a humpback surface 10 feet from the boat and at the last second, diving beneath the smooth surface, her beautiful form gliding beneath me. Her long white pectoral fins, like wings and her powerful tail propelling her beneath the boat. Beautiful.
At the same time we were in the midst of about 15 orca, all members of the A-clan of northern resident orcas. They have been in the area the last few days, occasionally passing through Taylor Bight, in view of our land based observation location. These orca were very relaxed and playful, bellies full (hopefully) from the Chinook, Sockeye, Coho and Pink Salmon that have began filling the surrounding waters, preparing for the amazing salmon run up the many rivers of the Great Bear.
They slapped their tails and pectoral fins, rolling over each other and swimming upside down. Such a special scene. There were several small calves in the group, very curious and energetic little things. Spy hopping and keeping their mothers busy. At one point when we had the engine off and just drifting along in the ebb tide, a calf spy hopped nearby and must have found us an interesting sight, as they approached the boat, mom's in tow. Then raising heads from the water, they gave us a look and then started making bubbling, squeaky sounds, like blowing raspberries. I think they found it highly amusing as the dove beneath the water and swam belly up beneath the boat. Their calls and echolocation clicks audible through the hull of the boat.
I have attempted to describe today's experience in words, which are not enough.
The gift these magical creatures have shared with me has gone straight to my heart and etched a imprint on my soul. The moments they have gifted me with their presence opens my heart in a whole new way.
Open to the moment, firmly in the present. No past, no unknown future....just Now. Something to cherish and inspire.
