Close encounter of the Orca kind

Redƒox · Guest

Last time I was at Pony Cove getting silvers, when them big basterds showed up... ALL the fishing died-off immediately Xmas Eek

This last trip, (in a bay fer far away) a large pod of them came within 50 yards of RedFox I kept trollin and kept catching to, this time! Wierd Exclamation

Bess-C · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 2:19 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the comments. However I wrote this on Friday night at the end of a long hard work week. When I look back at it this morning I think I got sarcastic at the end and violated the rule of "just be nice".

For any of you in the whale watching community, I know you have a hard job in the San Juans with the whales gaining rock star status. They have to be the most popular and watched orcas in the world. Most of the time when I've had contact with the volunteer boats they've been very polite and just given out information. I do have an issue with being "managed" when I come by once a year. I also take issue with people assuming that someone that got a beautiful picture in a remote area is probably violating the whales rights. But again, I apologize for the rude comments.
Lyle

dogon dory · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 5:48 pm Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

Redƒox · Guest

Redƒox · Guest

Ya know.. I just don't worry bout it myself; I find most marine mammals come scope you out rather than the other way around. If I have photographers with me: look over shoulder and go for the good stuff baby Thumbs Up

them rules and laws that be are just like anything else... situation ethics. arg! Surprised

SeaSpray · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:50 pm Post subject:

Gregg,
We have Orcas here on the N. California coast but I think they are migratory. I wouldn't be surprised if salmon took off when Orcas showed up.

Around the Farralon Islands when Orcas show up the Great Whites disappear. It seems that the Orcas will kill them - I guess because they are competition.

Last year a news crew out on Monterey Bay taking pictures of Grays got some video of a pod of Orcas trying to kill a baby gray. The mother gray was able to get her baby to shallow water where the Orcas won't go. The Orcas will ram the baby gray and try to hold it under to drown it. Then they eat the tongue.

I think the Orcas in the San Jaun and Gulf Islands areas are not that aggressive since the salmon are so easy to get.

Redƒox · Guest

Byrdman · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:13 pm Post subject:

Lyle: OK, I was on a boat farther from shore as we were following your vessel from Blakely. You need not appoligize for your ACCURATE comment about the zodiac. Being from Bama, that simply one more time this trip with thoughtful, water loving C-Dory owners provided me with a 1st time event. Yes, that is the 1st time I have seen the Orca in real life. Yes, I too have seen the TV shows...particuarly the seals that RedFox speaks of. Some thoughts went thru my mind as we drifted.
1st was, Thanks God for providing this event in my life and bless these folks who made it possible.
2nd was, Byrdman...keep in mind you might just look like a seal if they have aged and are not wearing their glasses.....(seals get blamed for folks looking like them on surfboards....as the shark attempts to feed....or feeds)
3rd was, what the $ell is that zodiac doing running under power that close to both the whales, and the Bess-C.
4th was, .....well, after the 1st thought... lets just say the 4th thought had something to do the the zodiac operator and a nice 12 gauge Mossburge......
In fact, I actually called Lyle on the VHF to ask if he was OK. He is a better man than I. The zodiac was out of line for motoring thru....at speeds, amoung the whales, and around folks who had porperly, shut down all power. Lyle, I did not hear your conversation with the zodiac operator... that is something I did miss on this trip.
Thanks again to all who made this a trip of a lifetime for a southern man.
Ya'll come on down.
Byrdman on FreeByrd in Bama Beer

Cheers and Thanks! Hug

gljjr · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 6:57 pm Post subject:

I'm on the Orca Network Sighting email list and there have been several reports in the past week of Orca pods killing Dolphins. I just signed up for the list and was surprised to read this as I had never heard it before.

I had read about Transient Orcas killing and eating Sea Lions and Harbor Seals but didn't know that the resident Orcas would kill just for the "pleasure" of it. The interesting part is that once they kill the Dolphins they don't eat them.

Redƒox · Guest

It's High Time for some good old fashioned whale harvest I say Thumbs Up

just Orcas anyway Shocked

Chivita · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 5:13 pm Post subject:

Anyone ever ride an Alaska Ferry? Quite frequently marine mammals are seen surfing the bow waves. I bet a heck of a lot more marine mammals are "impacted" by that behavior then by a drifting C-Dory.

Catman · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:42 pm Post subject:

Not to worry, Redfox. Down here the orca harvest is happening indirectly, inexorably.

Redƒox · Guest

DaveS · Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 2:30 am Post subject:

The TV News tonight just ran a story with live footage of the Killer Whale Luna that was seperated from its' pod (last year I believe). The Canadian government attempted to reunite it with its' pod as had been successfully accomplished with Springer another K. W. that was seperated from its' pod in the U. S. However, when the Canadian Gov't attempted, the local tribe prevented the reuniting process. Tonight's TV story was about Luna's new propensity to become aggressive towards vessels ie: ramming into vessels and apparently damaging the rudder of a sailboat. Obviously now a big concern to other mariners.

Redƒox · Guest

.... very enlightnin report... but I gotta say- I better get ottahhere before i get in trouble Xmas Naughty