First day on the water during a two week stint in Telegraph Cove

Today was our first day on the water during a two week stint in Telegraph Cove and what a day it was. In stark contrast to last year, when the Northern Residents were conspicuous only by their absence, this time we got a report of the A34s on our first morning here.

Pictured here from left to right are A125 Seabrook, mom A67 Eclipse (barely visible against the sprouting dorsal fin of her son A102 Tuzo), and A112 Barlow. As you can see, the weather conditions were perfect and the backdrops so stunning you feel like you're inside a painting. Here, they were heading south past the White Cliff Islets.

We also saw the familiar fin of BCX1063 Ripple, the humpback we encountered the most in 2023, who had a new calf with her this year. And while focused on the orcas, we also had the chance to snap photos of two of our hoped-for bird species on the trip: fork-tailed storm-petrels and a Cassin's auklet. It's hard to believe this was just day one. Fingers crossed for more of the same in the days ahead!