Northwest Dive Club

For years, watching whales was a side benefit of my diving and sailing. On dive charters, I was the guy standing out on deck scanning the horizon when everyone else was down below. Since I had to give up diving and sold my boat, seeking whales had become much more intentional. So far this year, I have recorded about 140 whale encounters. Earlier this week, I saw this humpback off Smith Island. When it fluked, the view of the ventral surface permitted i.d. The cataloging agency, in this case BC Department of Fisheries and Oceans, assigned it the number BCY1218 and the name "Kata." They generally give gender neutral names, not because whales are gender fluid, but because we humans find it difficult to determine sex. I assume the whales don't have that problem. I saw other neat things on this trip, such as Puffins and a genuine sea otter near Bird Rocks. Even an old man can still have fun,
Curt

Very cool! 140 is an impressive number! Sounds like you're living it up!

Greetings from Canada. McNiel and Hardy and beyond! We've been seeing lots of cool critters up here too. Minke, white sided, dall's porpoise, otters, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, so many sea birds, and don't get me started on the marine life!

Pics soon. Hope you're well!

Yelloweye: What an impressive list of mammals. Seabirds, and diving too! You are so lucky. It's been 18 years since I've been to Port McNiel and the rest. Your pictures will be treasured by me. I haven't posted earlier this year because i haven't had anything new. While individual i.d. of orca and gray whales has been accessible to me for some time, I just learned to i.d humpbacks. Still learning.
Thanks, Curt

Love the pics, Curt!

Such a fantastic report