A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

Well we have returned from our whale watching trip. Wow what an awesome experience, one I'll not forget for a while if ever.

Within twenty minutes of leaving the dock we were seeing Orca a little ways away from the boat so out comes the camera and I'm thinking this is cool but it would be better if we could closer, however we have to stay at least three hundred feet from the whales.

This is one of the first shots and I thought this is fine but would like to see them closer.
http://www.pbase.com/hangman/image/67314651.jpg

Next thing you know two of them pop up right by the side of our boat and I'm thinking now this is much better.
http://www.pbase.com/hangman/image/67314652.jpg


We then had to reposition in order to get out of the way of a cruise ship that was coming into our area and as we did three Orca decided to swim along side and give us a great photo op.
http://www.pbase.com/hangman/image/67314653.jpg

The cruise ship hove into view and I managed a shot of it with an orca in the frame too.
http://www.pbase.com/hangman/image/67314649.jpg

Then it was of to see if we could find any Humpback whales and after about ten to fifteen minutes we so some "blows" up ahead and headed off in that direction. We got up reasonably close and did see four Humpbacks, man they are big animals. Unfortunately not much to photograph but did manage shot of the tail flukes as one headed under. The naturalist was thrilled that I had managed a shot of its tail as it was she hadn't seen before and it hadn't been seen in the area for two years. She asked me to email a copy of it to her. :)
http://www.pbase.com/hangman/image/67314650.jpg


Below is a link to the website of the sitings for yesterday on our trip.
http://www.stubbs-island.com/english...ngs/index.html

Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings if you ever get to chance to do get up to Port McNeill and Telegraph Cove don't let the opportunity to go whale watching pass. It's a unforgettable experience.

Cheers
Steve

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

Wow. Dead Jealous :cool:

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

hahaha......see you easterners dont have it all after all.....! :rolleyes:

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

Thanks iaink.

There's one more shot that I couldn't include in the original post so I'll add it here.

As we were approaching Telegraph Cove to end our afternoon a Bald Eagle flew by with what appeared to be dinner firmly gripped in its talons.

http://www.pbase.com/hangman/image/67314648.jpg

Cheers
Steve

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing, Steve! Wish I'd dropped everything and joined you, now ;) ) Definitely on my "to do" list!

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

Awesome!! What fab pics... hubby and I went whale watching in Aus but I was feeling so damn rough I missed them and they came right up ot the boat and everything!!!

Such amazing creatures...

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

Great pictures, i would love to go whale watching, guess it will be another trip to add to my ever growing list !

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

Wow! :eek:

AWESOME!

Thanks very much! :D

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

Well, that well and truly pisses on my vulture pictures!

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

OH WOW! My daughter will be sooo jealous when she sees the pics, she has a dream to be a marine biologist specialising in Whales (Orcas in particular) and she is desperate to go out Vancouver way to see them (I'm kind of thinking b'day pressie next year). Oh it must have been soooo coool - Free Willy 4!

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

Yeah great pictures, especially like the bald eagle one. What camera- lens you use?

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

Thanks everyone.
iaink I'm sorry I really don't want to "piss" on anyones photo's.:o I didn't know you'd posted any pics when was it?

h_henry the camera is a Canon Digital Rebel Single Lens Relflex and the lens used for all of those shots was the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS, which when used on that camera is the same as a 160-640mm would be on a regular 35mm SLR.:)

Cheers
Steve

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

WOW!!!!

Is all I can say!

Thanks Steve! :D

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

No harm done... Iwish Id had a decent SLR and lens when the vultures were circling:) (Yes, Im blaming the camera;) which isnt fair as its a pretty decent Canon Compact )
The thread was something like "You know its a bad day when..." but the pics are here
http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/iaink/

Re: A whale of a tale...(5 pictures)
 

Hey that's cool...I just bought the new rebel xti and that lens yesterday...still need to read the manual tho'! Hope I can take some decent shots too eventually.