Today was our last full day in Victoria and from my perspective, we are exiting with a winning event. – Whale watching. For those who know me, I have said that salt water runs in my veins. The one thing I love more than anything is the ocean. So while I had a fantastic time in the gardens yesterday, this was my day – on a boat on the water. I have done whale watching before in Alaska, and it is hit or miss. Well, not in Victoria.
But first, fisherman’s wharf and the houseboats. 
We were scheduled on Eagle Wings Whales and Wildlife Tours 
on a large catamaran Wild for Whales. It had both open and closed areas for the passengers.
As we headed out of the harbor, we passed a Canadian Naval ship heading out for exercises. 
A number of these young professionals were staying in our hotel. When we saw them later in the day, they were surprised that we took their picture. Now you can’t identify them as I didn’t have that kind of lens, but they were still happy that we cared.
As we sailed out looking for the whales. Now, why did I say this was different than Alaska? They were taking us out to see Orcas. Orcas are not migratory. These are residents. In Alaska, using you are looking for Humpback whales, which do migrate.
The killer whale or orca (Orcinus orca) is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Killer whales have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as seals and other species of dolphin. They have been known to attack baleen whale calves, and even adult whales. Killer whales are apex predators, as no animal preys on them. A cosmopolitan species, they can be found in each of the world’s oceans in a variety of marine environments, from Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas, absent only from the Baltic and Black seas, and some areas of the Arctic Ocean.
Killer whales are highly social; some populations are composed of matrilineal family groups or pods, which are the most stable of any animal species. Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviors, which are often specific to a particular group and passed across generations, have been described as manifestations of animal culture.
The killer whale is one of 35 species in the oceanic dolphin family, which first appeared about 11 million years ago. The killer whale lineage probably branched off shortly thereafter.
Resident orca travel in pods made up of several large extended family groups. When several pods travel together these groups can exceed 80 animals. They are extremely vocal compared to Bigg’s (transient) killer whales. Their diet consists primarily of Chinook salmon, though it can include up to 32 different species of fish. Residents use echolocation to locate their prey; they produce short bursts of clicks that reflect on the environment around them and produce a picture of their surroundings. They can even tell the difference between species of salmon!
Resident killer whales on the BC coast are divided into two groups: the NORTHERN community and the SOUTHERN community. The population of orca that resides in the waters surrounding southern Vancouver Island is made up of three pods: J, K and L pods, and is commonly referred to as the Southern Resident population. These whales frequent the inshore waters of the Pacific Northwest in the summer months, feasting on returning Chinook salmon populations that are running from the Pacific Ocean to the Fraser River to spawn (April-October).
The Southern Residents have been studied for the past 43 years and each individual orca has been identified. The saddle patch, the white marking behind the dorsal fin, acts like a fingerprint and allows researchers to keep track of their information, including ID numbers (and nicknames), ages, and family relationships.
The three pods that make up the Southern Resident population mate among each other and do not interbreed with the Northern Residents. I believe they said we saw L79.
So here are some of my images. I only had a 240 lens and sure could have used an 800. 
We took too long to find this pod of 4, so we didn’t go to look for Humpback whales.
We did see this Canadian Aircraft carrier as we watched our whale pod. 
Its a big circle as I really couldn’t pinpoint but it was the general area that was pointed out to me on the map.
Then we headed to find some seals, etc. 
We had expended our time out to sea and now it was time to head back in. 
I just loved these little taxi’s. 
A sailing ship heading out. 
And a sea plane taking off.
Some of our group stayed to have lunch on the wharf. I know I had a wonderful Oyster fishwich. (Oyster Po boy to me) And it was yum and largest oysters I had seen on this trip.
We then either took a shuttle back to the hotel, or walked back.
Tonight was our farewell dinner to the remaining new friends and our tour director Chan.
And to end this trip – I am including the “family” photos Chan took during our trip.
A final remembrance.
9/2 Cameron Falls, Waterton
9/3 at the Chief Mountain in the distance
9/4 – at the Bellevue underground coal mine
9/9 Bow Lake
9/10 On a log
9/11 Whistler Olympic Park
9/11 Whistler hiking group
9/14 at Victoria Thunderbird Park
9/15 at Butchart Gardens
And now it is time to wrap this trip up. I still owe photos to some people, so I must get those out as I only have a little time left before I head out on another adventure. This was a great time with some very nice people and a great tour director – Chan Thor.
Postcards from Sue and friends 