Whale Watching – First Sighting of A30 Northern Resident Killer Whales

July 16th, 2010



We were excited to be the first people we know of to see the A30s this year, while on our Great Bear Rainforest summer trip.

The A30s are one of the matrilines in the northern resident killer whale community that is typically found in the Broughton Archipelago area between July and December each year.

We encountered them on the west coast of the northern Great Bear Rainforest on a sunny early June day. They were part of a massive influx of wildlife around some feedballs right along the shore of rockly islands there.

It was a spectacular morning: as scores of Pacific Loons dove below the surface, they herded masses of fish, possibly herring, to the surface of the water, eating them as they corralled them. Gulls kept an eye on the loons and as soon as the fish came near the surface, they dove in with wings flapping, beaks opening, feet kicking and calling in a cacophany of sound.

Soon, over 16 bald eagles, who had been eyeing all of this from a rocky islet nearby, couldn’t resist. One after the other, they flapped over to the feedball, travelling in a line just like traffic to a big event. The eagles swooped down to grab fish, breaking and lifting with their huge brown wings.

And around and amid all this, the A30 killer whales cruised. No doubt, they were seeing how many salmon were coming to the feedball, to try to get the small fish from below with the loons.
Certainly we heard some echolocation on our hydrophone, and saw a splash as one of the males, possibly A39 Pointer, caught one.

There were several feedballs that formed over the morning and it was thrilling to be right in the middle of such a show of nature’s abundance.

By the way, check out how much fish an eagle can get in one pass:

This is the eagle at the top of the photo above – that is a couple of “fistfulls” of fish!

Learn more about Maple Leaf Adventures’ Great Bear Rainforest tours.

- by Maureen Gordon, deckhand on the trip
- photos by and copyright Greg Shea, first mate on the trip and also a pro photographer. Thank you, Greg!

Posted in Animals, Wildlife Research, Great Bear Rainforest, Neat Stuff, Trip Insights & Experiences | No Comments »

Whale Watching on BC Reposition Cruise

July 12th, 2010

REPORT FROM THE SHIP

Here is an update we received via satellite from the ship. The crew and 8 guests are on a sailing cruise along the entire B.C. coast, from Prince Rupert to Comox, B.C.

This report was sent from Johnstone Strait, where the Maple Leaf and her passengers were one of the first ships to see the returning northern resident orcas this year. Not to mention a host of other cetaceans!

“We’re just now travelling west of Naka Creek with a group of 5-6.  No id’s yet though.  Nice spyhop and a drive-by from a big male!

Blackfish Sound was a treat this morning for breakfast: breaching humpbacks, Dall’s propoises, and harbour porpoises.”

- from first mate Paul Smith, via satellite

Learn more about Maple Leaf Adventures’ killer whale watching tours.

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Grizzly bear cub video – Great Bear Rainforest

June 25th, 2010

This delightful 2-minute video, shot by Capt. James Warburton on a Great Bear Rainforest tour last year, shows a grizzly bear cub practising being a bear. Copying mum, rubbing a tree, playing, and learning to swim!

Learn more about Maple Leaf Adventures’s Great Bear Rainforest tour

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Haida Gwaii Tour – Post by Naturalist Hayley Shephard

June 23rd, 2010

For the third time in my entire life I found myself once again priviledged and honoured to be surrounded by th

e powerful and sacred arms of Haida Gwaii.  Onboard the 92 foot wooden Schooner ‘Maple Leaf’ myself, the Captain, his crew and our 8 guests explored the southern island of South Morseby for 7 days.

We were blessed with glorious sunshine every single day which is rather unsusual for these Misty Isles.  Humback Whales accompanied us during most of our transitting days. Their various limbs stuck high above the ocean surface as they skimmed, fed and foraged, allowing us to linger in their company for hours on end.

Ancient Murrelets in groups over a hundred individuals flew by us often, at times landing clumsily with their webbed feet sticking out the rear, like a breaking parachute.  Eagles soared and the Ravens unique dialect filled the air with mischievious life.
We were made welcome to land at SGang Gwaay by the Haida Watchmen. Our souls stirred as we stood below the totem poles that represented those that once lived and thrived in this area where luscious forests and the abundance of the sea provided shelter, food and sustanence for the people of this land.
We were well fed by our talented chef who provided fresh baked goods, delicious 3 course dinners and ongoing supply of delightful dishes you couldn’t find in the finest city restaurants. Local Canadian wine was served and a craft beer brewed especially for the Maple Leaf was enjoyed on our particularly warm days.

We bird watched and bear watched, we studied and enjoyed the intertidal life particularly in one of the most nutrient rich places on the planet – Burnaby Narrows.
We drifted in our zodiacs at the lowest tide, our eyes fixed on the sea stars, moon snails, anenomes and urchins. The array of colors, odd sea-life behaviour kept us spell bound and curious bringing out our inner child.
We beach-fire gazed and beachcombed – two successful guests found a Japanese glass ball each. Our captain also found a new member of the crew – Taan the Teddy who was covered in sand and seaweed, now rescued and loved once again by guests and crew.
I was reminded how incredibly lush the forest is, where your hand could simply be lost as it burrows into the carpeted moss that blankets the entire forest floor. I recall how every living thing whether sunflower star or barnacle, bird or slug, tree or whale – is so huge, seeming well-fed and flourishing healthily. The times I have visited these ancient isles I remember experiencing a feeling of peace and tranquility. I also experience a strong se

nse of relief knowing that the right people are guarding this treasure and protecting it from wrongful hands. These islands that are situated 40-100km offshore have an abundance endemic species that you can not find anywhere else on the planet. Maintaining this balance and allowing this natural paradise to thrive and simply let be is the focus of those who are assisting in the managing of Haida Gwaii.
As we sailed the tall ship Maple Leaf on our final day, in a perfect 17 knot breeze, the guests taking turns at the helm, I noticed that everyone was wear
ing a generous smile. It seemed not only from the reflection of having a successful holiday but an appreciation of having witnessed nature at its most purest. The rich and potent explosion of life in Haida Gwaii generoulsy drifted by us, frequently breached before us and nestled beneath our gentle footprints as we explored this coastal paradise.

Posted in Haida Gwaii / Queen Charlotte Islands, Trip Insights & Experiences | No Comments »

Haida Gwaii – Queen Charlotte Islands Tour Reports:

May 10th, 2010

I’ve received a few quick posts from the ship this week, from our Haida Gwaii / Queen Charlotte Islands tour. The ship is in Gwaii Haanas.

The fantastic humpbacks of Haida Gwaii. (c) Paul Smith

“A big push today under a bright blue sky and a following sea has rewarded us with reaching the deep-south of Gwaii Haanas – Kunghit Island.  The jubilant humpbacks were showing off the best of their tail-lobbing, fin-slapping, krill gulping moves all along our route from Juan Perez Sound.

“The anchor is down and we are home for the night.  Looking forward to a campfire and another fantastic sunset.”

“Coming off the deck into the wheelhouse, I can smell the wood smoke smell in my jacket from last night’s beach fire at the southern tip of Haida Gwaii.  The seas are calm and we are heading for my favorite beach [a totally isolated, white sand crescent beach, surrounded by rainforest and seabird islands].  Everything is good.”

“At Boles Point after a great day at the beach, and sailing around the southern tip of Haida Gwaii – Cape St. James! Two of our guests found a glass ball each on the beach. We’ll be at SGang Gwaay tomorrow morning.”

“Great float through Burnaby Narrows. Headed to Hot Springs Island now.”

“Setting sails now. Surrounded by humpback whales and sun.”

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Green, gold, and grizzly: Photo of the Month

May 10th, 2010

Image (c) Paul Smith

This beautiful photo by first mate Paul Smith shows a grizzly sow in her autumn world: a brilliant green and gold estuary, where a small river lets salmon penetrate the rainforest after a journey up a coastal fjord.

In the company of gulls, ravens, eagles and a host of other creatures, she’ll spend almost every day in this spot in all kinds of weather. Some years, she’ll have a cub or two with her. Some years, she’ll be on her own. From the Great Bear Rainforest.

See the full size photo on Maple Leaf’s Photo of the Month page.

Read about the Great Bear Rainforest tour.

Posted in Animals, Wildlife Research, Great Bear Rainforest, Photography, Trip Insights & Experiences | No Comments »

Great vibe at the Salmon Migration event; great report on closed containment

May 10th, 2010

Image (c) Sherry Kirkvold

We’ve been sharing information about the threats to wild salmon (and therefore to wilderness tourism) for years now. This week, two significant things occurred:

  1. Independent consultant Dr. Andrew Wright released his investigation into the economic feasibility of closed containment salmon farms on land, and found there is a significant economic return.This refutes what the Norwegian salmon farming companies (who practise open net pen salmon farming which is a proven threat to wild salmon) have always said in the past. We love that Andrew took a businessman + engineer’s perspective on this and investigated. Not sure why the net-pen salmon farming businesses didn’t show that kind of vision and initiative years ago.You can read more here.
  2. Maureen went to the Get Out Salmon Migration walk + rally in Victoria. Here thousands of people from all walks of life, from wilderness and whale watching tourism businesses, to First Nations communities, to fishing families, to elected government officials, to concerned citizens of all kinds, gathered in a positive and inspiring way to show their support for getting open net salmon farms out of BC waters.You can read more here.

Posted in Animals, Wildlife Research, Conservation, Green Business, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Thank you, Tourism Victoria, for the “Environment Award”

May 4th, 2010

Tourism Victoria recognized the hard work and extra expense that we at Maple Leaf put toward protecting and promoting the natural world on this coast.

It’s a decision we make because this beautiful world provides our livelihood, and provides so much pleasure and rejuvenation to us and our guests. And also just because it is the right thing to do.

But it’s an honour to have that recognized and we thank Tourism Victoria for placing an emphasis on the environment with this award.

You can read about it here:

Posted in Conservation, Ecotourism, Green Business, News | No Comments »

Tall ship bucks tourism trends: Eco-friendly sea voyage attracts the world to B.C.

April 29th, 2010
Kevin Smith and Maureen Gordon

Kevin Smith and Maureen Gordon in the wheelhouse - Photo by Debra Brash, Victoria Times Colonist

This article appeared in the Vancouver Sun and Victoria Times Colonist business sections this week. Thanks, Darron Kloster, for your interest!

By Darron Kloster, Canwest News Service

Tourism in general may be hurting, but niche operators like Kevin Smith and Maureen Gordon are battening down the hatches for another record season.

The owners and skippers of the Maple Leaf — a former longliner turned tourist tall ship — set sail on their first excursion of the season this week into the Gulf Islands and up the coast.

They’re carrying eight passengers on an eco-friendly journey to the Great Bear Rain Forest and another eight on a return trip. It’s a mix of Canadians and Americans who shelled out more than $2,600 Cdn each for the sailing experience, wildlife viewing, cultural exchanges with first nations, fishing and the perennial highlight of listening to whales through on-board stereo via hydrophone.

Read the rest of the article here.

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Recent reports from the ship:

April 29th, 2010
BC adventure cruise

Image (c) Kevin Smith

The ship is away in the wilderness on her spring trips. We’ve received a few occasional reports from crew aboard the Maple Leaf sent in via sattelite. Hope you enjoy these small slices of their day:

“Sailed under mainsail, foresail, staysail, and jib for 2 hours with brilliant sun with a steadily increasing breeze reaching a top speed of 7.5 knots on a beam reach as we rounded the tip of North Thormanby Island!  What a day!” - Apr. 21, off Georgia Strait

“Holy! Sea otter bonanza [in a new location]! Wow…looks like somewhere between 50-80 individuals…I lost count with the binos.” - Apr. 27, off northern Vancouver Island

“Maple Leaf currently under reefed main, fore, staysail making 4.9 kts on a beam reach!  Afternoon tea is served, sun is shining, sailing our way north to Klemtu.” – Apr. 29, in the Great Bear Rainforest

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