nature
J & L-pod, Gray Whale and 4 Humpback Whales! Sept 8th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 08 Sep 2010 at 3:47 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from today's encounters with J & L-pod, Gray Whale and 4 Humpback Whales!
Topics: nature
J & L-pod plus the Gray Whale! Sept 6th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 06 Sep 2010 at 10:49 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from our encounters today with J & L-pod plus the Gray Whale! The rain and wind did not dampen the spirits of our passengers w
Topics: nature
J, K & L-pod evening encounter! Sept 5th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 06 Sep 2010 at 7:13 AM
Here are a few images from this evenings encounter with members of J, K & L-pod!
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas in Boundary Pass in the afternoon! Sept 6th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 05 Sep 2010 at 11:34 PM
We had some amazing cloud formations this afternoon!Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from our encounter with Resident Orcas in Boundary Pass in the afternoon!
Topics: nature
2 Humpback Whales & a Gray Whale in the morning! Sept 5, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 05 Sep 2010 at 11:27 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from our encounters with 2 Humpback Whales & a Gray Whale in the morning! The Humpback were a Mother and Calf pairing who have
Topics: nature
Sept 4th, 2010. Afternoon adventure with L78, L-pod & a Gray Whale!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 05 Sep 2010 at 12:39 PM
Here are a few wonderful images from our afternoon adventure with L78, L-pod & a Gray Whale!We first encountered members of L-pod a little north of Lime Kiln Lighthouse and we watched in awe as several
Topics: nature
Morning encounter with J1 & Friends plus a Gray Whale! Sept 4th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 05 Sep 2010 at 11:39 AM
Here are a few images from our terrific morning encounter with J1 & Friends plus a Gray Whale!We headed out this morning and first encountered members of J, K & L-pod near False Bay. When we first arri
Topics: nature
Afternoon adventure with L-pod & the Gray Whale! Sept 4th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 04 Sep 2010 at 9:32 PM
Here are a few terrific images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from our Afternoon adventure with L-pod & the Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
J1, J2 and friends off San Juan in the morning! Sept 4th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 04 Sep 2010 at 9:20 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from our morning encounter with J1 "Ruffles", J2 "Granny" and several members of J, K & L-pod! We also encountered the Gray Wh
Topics: nature
Pictures of Resident Orcas & Gray Whale from Sept 3rd by Naturalist Kristen!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 04 Sep 2010 at 8:04 AM
Here are a Pictures of Resident Orcas & Gray Whale from Sept 3rd by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes!
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas and Gray Whales encounters! Sept 3rd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 03 Sep 2010 at 10:18 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from today's encounters with members of the Southern Resident Orcas and the Gray Whale. The sun was out, temperatures were in
Topics: nature
Pictures of Resident Orcas & Gray Whale from Sept 2nd by Naturalist Kristen!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 02 Sep 2010 at 11:47 PM
Here are a few images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes, from today's encounters with Resident Orcas and the Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
K & L-pod Encounters plus the Gray Whale! Sept 2nd, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 02 Sep 2010 at 10:38 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from today's encounter with members of K & L-pod! The Orcas were in close resting formation in the morning which is always a t
Topics: nature
Pictures from Sept 1st by Naturalist Kristen!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 02 Sep 2010 at 10:26 PM
Here are a few Images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes, from our encounters on Sept 1st with Resident & Transient Orcas and Humpback Whales!
Topics: nature
Resident & Transient Orcas plus Humback Whales! Sept 1st, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 02 Sep 2010 at 10:16 PM
What a fantastic start to the month of September! Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from today's encounters with Resident & Transient Orcas plus Humback Whales!
Topics: nature
Humpback Whales & Race Rocks in the afternoon! Aug 30th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 30 Aug 2010 at 11:00 PM
Here are a few photos by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from this afternoons wonderful encounter with 2 Humpback Whales and Seals & Sealions at Race Rocks!
Topics: nature
Morning encounter with the Resident Orcas! Aug 30th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 30 Aug 2010 at 10:57 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from our Morning encounter with the Resident Orcas!
Topics: nature
Afternoon adventure with Resident Orcas & a Minke Whale! Aug 29th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 30 Aug 2010 at 10:43 PM
Here are a few images from our Afternoon adventure with Resident Orcas & a Minke Whale!
Topics: nature
Humpback Whale, J & K-pod and a Gray Whale in the morning! Aug 29, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 30 Aug 2010 at 8:36 PM
Here are a few images from our encounters with a Humpback Whale, J & K-pod and a Gray Whale in the morning!
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas, Gray Whale, Humpback Whale & Minke Whale! Aug 29th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 29 Aug 2010 at 10:28 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from todays encounters with Resident Orcas, a Gray Whale, a Humpback Whale & a Minke Whale!
Topics: nature
Spectacular Evening encounter with 4 Humpback Whales! Aug 28th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 29 Aug 2010 at 10:22 PM
Here are a few images from a Spectacular Evening encounter with 4 Humpback Whales!More images and details to follow.....
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas, Gray Whale and a Humpback Whale in the afternoon! Aug 28th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 29 Aug 2010 at 10:00 PM
Here are a few images from our wonderful afternoon encounter with Resident Orcas, Gray Whale and a Humpback Whale! The Humpback Whale we believe is a whale we have seen in the area before and nicknamed
Topics: nature
Morning encounter with J & K-pod & Gray Whale! Aug 28, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 29 Aug 2010 at 9:40 PM
Here are a few images from our excellent morning encounter with J & K-pod & Gray Whale! Moe images and details to follow....
Topics: nature
Gray Whale, Resident Orcas and a Humpback Whale! Aug 28th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 29 Aug 2010 at 12:28 AM
Here are a few Photos by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from today's encounters with a Gray Whale, Resident Orcas and a Humpback Whale!
Topics: nature
Images from Aug 27th By Naturalist Kristen.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 29 Aug 2010 at 12:15 AM
Here are a few images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes from our encounters on Aug 27th with a Gray Whale, Humpback Whale and Resident Orcas!
Topics: nature
Humpback Whales & Resident Orcas! Aug 27th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 27 Aug 2010 at 8:27 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from our encounters with Humpback Whales and Resident Orcas!
Topics: nature
Gray Whale encounter on a Blustery morning! Aug 26th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 27 Aug 2010 at 8:13 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from this morning encounter with a Gray Whale in very blustery conditions. Our passengers were delighted to see the Gray Whale
Topics: nature
Pictures from Aug 25th by Naturalist Kristen.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 26 Aug 2010 at 11:36 AM
Here are a few images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes from our encounters with Resident Orcas on Aug 25th, 2010.
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas off Victoria in the morning and San Juan Island in the afternoon!
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 25 Aug 2010 at 9:30 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, during todays encounters with members of the Southern Resident Orcas. The Orcas were first encountered during our morning trip West of Race Rocks and traveled
Topics: nature
Pictures by Naturalist Kristen from Aug 24th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 24 Aug 2010 at 11:29 PM
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas and a Gray Whale encounter! Aug 24th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 24 Aug 2010 at 10:19 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays wonderful encounters with Resident Orcas and Gray Whale!In the morning we headed out West and encountered members of L-pod who were heading towards
Topics: nature
Pictures from Aug 23rd by Naturalist Kristen.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 24 Aug 2010 at 10:04 PM
Here are a few Images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes from our encounters with a Gray Whale and the Resident Orcas!
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas and a Gray Whale today! Aug 23rd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 23 Aug 2010 at 10:32 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our encounters with Resident Orcas and a Gray Whale today! After a few blustery days it was nice and calm on the water today:)
Topics: nature
Afternoon adventure with a Gray Whale! Aug 22nd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 22 Aug 2010 at 10:44 PM
Here are a few images from our afternoon adventure with a Gray Whale near Discovery Island.It was quiet blustery on the water this afternoon but that did not prevent us from finding a Gray Whale for ou
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas and Gray Whale images by Kristen! Aug 22, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 22 Aug 2010 at 10:09 PM
Here are a few images by Marine Naturalist Kristen, from this afternoon's encounters with a Gray Whale and the Resident Orcas who returned to the are late this afternoon after a couple of days out west
Topics: nature
Images from Aug 21st By Naturalist Kristen.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 22 Aug 2010 at 9:47 PM
Here are a few images by Marine Naturalist Kriste, from today's encounters with 2 Humpback Whales and a Gray Whale.
Topics: nature
Burning Fur
Barbara Julian on Sun 22 Aug 2010 at 3:37 PM
The northern forests that still exist, those of Russia and Canada (Europe's are long since cut down) are burning in uncontrolled fires this summer. Where are all the bear going, and the ungulates, coug
Topics: nature
Afternoon encounter with Humpback Whales & Gray Whale! Aug 21, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 22 Aug 2010 at 10:32 AM
Here are a few images from a wonderful afternoon encounter with 2 Humpback Whales and a Gray Whale!More info to follow.
Topics: nature
When the boat comes in ... cats and the worldwide fishery
Barbara Julian on Sun 22 Aug 2010 at 8:55 AM
The Marine Stewardship Council is a global organization with headquarters in London, which works with governments, scientists, conservationists and the fishing industry to label and promote products ha
Topics: nature
Breathtaking Acrobatic Humpbacks in the morning! Aug 21st, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 21 Aug 2010 at 11:34 PM
Here are a few images from our Breathtaking encounter with 2 very Acrobatic Humpback in the morning!
Topics: nature
Playful Humpback Whales and a Gray Whale! Aug 21, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 21 Aug 2010 at 10:07 PM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates from today's encounter with 2 Playful Humpback Whales and a Gray Whale! We first encountered the Mother & Calf Humpback Whale during our morning trip and then a
Topics: nature
Wonderful Gray Whale & Humpback Whale Encounters! Aug 20, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 20 Aug 2010 at 11:46 PM
Here are a few images from our Wonderful Gray Whale & Humpback Whale Encounters!It is not too often we see two different species of large Baleen whale but today we encounters both a Gray Whale and a Hu
Topics: nature
Humpback Whale & Gray Whale! Aug 20th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 20 Aug 2010 at 10:58 PM
Gray WhaleHere are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with a Gray Whale and Humpback Whale!
Topics: nature
Pictures of todays encounters with J, K & L-pod by Kristen! Aug 19th
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 19 Aug 2010 at 11:54 PM
Here are a few Pictures taken by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes, of todays encounters with J, K & L-pod!
Topics: nature
Pictures by Naturalist Kristen from Aug 18th!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 19 Aug 2010 at 11:40 PM
Here are a few Pictures by Naturalist Kristen from our encounters today with members of J, K & L-pod!
Topics: nature
K40 and friends all day off San Juan! Aug 18th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 18 Aug 2010 at 11:20 PM
Here are a few images from Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with the Southern Resident Orcas! We had all three pods together early in the morning off San Juan Island, though later the Orcas spl
Topics: nature
Picture by Naturalist Kristen from the morning of Aug 17th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 18 Aug 2010 at 10:21 AM
Here are a few Picture by Naturalist Kristen from the mornings encounter with members of L-pod including L41 "Mega"!
Topics: nature
L-pod, Minke Whale and Gray Whale! Aug 17th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 17 Aug 2010 at 10:28 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with L-pod, Minke Whales and a Gray Whale! The stunning record of wonderful whale encounters continues to impress in the month of August
Topics: nature
Passengers photo's from Aug 8th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 17 Aug 2010 at 10:17 PM
Marine Naturalist Christa entertains the passengers:)Here are a few stunning images from one of our passengers taken during our Aug 8th evening cruise!Just wanted to write and thank you for the great t
Topics: nature
Passenger pictures from Aug 6th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 17 Aug 2010 at 5:06 PM
Here are a few beautiful images taken by one of our passengers during our Aug 6th tour.
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st
Topics: nature
Pictures by Kaegan from Aug 16th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 17 Aug 2010 at 4:10 PM
Here are a few pictures by Marine Naturalist Kaegan Shepherd from today's encounters with a Superpod and 2 Humpbacks off Victoria Waterfront plus a Gray Whale and many Seals & Sealions at Race Rocks!
Topics: nature
Pictures by Naturalist Kristen from Aug 16th!
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 17 Aug 2010 at 3:29 PM
Here are a few Images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes, from our encounters with Superpod, 2 Humpback Whale and a Gray Whale near Victoria!
Topics: nature
Superpod & 2 Humpback Whales off Victoria! Aug 16th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 17 Aug 2010 at 2:40 PM
Here are a few image by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays magnificent encounters with 2 Humpback Whales and a Superpod off Victoria! Our vessel "Fastcat" reported coming across all the 90 Orcas of the South
Topics: nature
60 Orcas from J, K & L-pod near Hein Bank this afternoon! Aug 15th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 17 Aug 2010 at 6:54 AM
Here are a few images from our incredible afternoon encounter with 60 Orcas from J, K & L-pod near Hein Bank! We also got to see the Gray Whale near Discovery Island.I will be posting more info and ima
Topics: nature
Pictures from Aug 15th by Naturalist Kaegan!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 16 Aug 2010 at 12:56 PM
Here are a few excellent images by Kaegan Shepherd from yesterdays tours!
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas of J, K & L-pod plus the Gray Whale all day! Aug 15, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 15 Aug 2010 at 9:00 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our wonderful encounters with Resident Orcas of J, K & L-pod plus the Gray Whale all day! It was another perfect day on the water:)
Topics: nature
Stunning evening encounter with Transient Orcas! Aug 15th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 15 Aug 2010 at 11:50 AM
Here are a few images from our Stunning evening encounter with Transient Orcas, including T31!We encountered these Orcas a few miles south of Seabird and it was a most unexpected but pleasant surprise:
Topics: nature
Encounters with J, K & L-pod plus a Gray Whale today! Aug 14th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 15 Aug 2010 at 10:41 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our encounters with J, K & L-pod plus a Gray Whale today! It was another stunning day on the water with hot temperatures, calm seas and wonderful whales:)
Topics: nature
Spectacular Evening encounter with J, K & L-pod! Aug 13th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 14 Aug 2010 at 4:20 PM
Here are a few images from our Spectacular Evening encounter with J, K & L-pod! I will be posting more images and info shortly!
Topics: nature
Superpod, Superpod, J, K & L-pod together off Victoria!!! Aug 13th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 14 Aug 2010 at 3:39 PM
Here are a few images from this afternoons encounter with Superpod, (J, K & L-pod together) traveling past Victoria! We also encountered the Gray Whale East of Discovery Island as well as a couple of B
Topics: nature
UBC Animal Research Labs: THERE ARE NUTS IN THERE
Barbara Julian on Sat 14 Aug 2010 at 12:59 PM
A UBC spokesperson was evasive when interviewed by the Vancouver Sun about its animal testing ("UBC fears animal activists' campaign," By JANET STEFFENHAGEN, Vancouver Sun August 12, 2010) At UBC, more
Topics: nature
Superpod and Transient Orcas off Victoria this afternoon! Aug 13th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 14 Aug 2010 at 11:00 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from this afternoons amazing encounters with a Superpod (J, K & L-pod) off Victoria waterfront and also Transient Orcas by Victoria Golf Course! Breathtaking i
Topics: nature
Superpod in the morning west of Victoria! Aug 13th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 14 Aug 2010 at 10:45 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from this mornings incredible encounter with a Superpod (J, K & L-pod) just west of Victoria. Watching almost 90 Orcas together is a rare treat and one our pas
Topics: nature
Five for Five Star during an incredible afternoon adventure! Aug 12th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 13 Aug 2010 at 10:20 AM
Here are a few images from our amazing afternoon adventure where we encountered not one but Five different species of Cetacean, including Resident Orcas & Transient Orcas, a Gray Whale, Harbor Porpoise
Topics: nature
J & K-pod in the afternoon! Aug 12th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 12 Aug 2010 at 11:18 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our encounter with J & K-pod in the afternoon!
Topics: nature
L-pod, Transient Orcas and Gray Whale in the morning! Aug 12th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 12 Aug 2010 at 11:05 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from this mornings encounters with L-pod, Transient Orcas and Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Playful Resident Orcas in the afternoon! Aug 11th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 12 Aug 2010 at 10:48 PM
Here are a few images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes from this afternoons encounter with Playful Resident Orcas!
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas in the fog in the morning! Aug 11th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 12 Aug 2010 at 10:44 PM
Here are a few images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes from our morning encounter with Resident Orcas in the fog!
Topics: nature
Aug 11th, 2010. Resident Orcas all day long and the Gray Whale!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 12 Aug 2010 at 10:23 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with members of the Southern Resident Orcas and the Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
2 Groups of Transient Orcas off Victoria! Aug 10th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 11 Aug 2010 at 12:45 PM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with 2 groups of Transient Orcas off Victoria waterfront. We also showed our passengers the countless marine life at Race Rocks M
Topics: nature
Transient Orca Encounter off Sooke! Aug 9th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 11 Aug 2010 at 11:34 AM
Here are a few images from our morning encounter with a group of Transient Orcas off Sooke!We received a report early this morning that a group of Orcas had been sighted off Sooke and not long before w
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas near Sooke! Aug 9th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 11 Aug 2010 at 11:07 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from this mornings encounter with Transient Orcas near Sooke!
Topics: nature
L & K-pod off Victoria!Aug 9th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 11 Aug 2010 at 10:30 AM
Here are a few amazing images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes from our encounter with members of L & K-pod off Victoria Waterfront!
Topics: nature
Intimate evening encounter with J8 and friends! Aug 8th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 10 Aug 2010 at 10:56 PM
Here are a few images from our Intimate evening encounter with J8 and friends!We had to travel all the way to East Point this evening to encounter the Orcas but we were determined to show our passenger
Topics: nature
Seals, Elephant Seals, Sealions and Gray Whale! Aug 8th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 10 Aug 2010 at 10:00 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with Seals, Elephant Seals, Sealions and Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Breathtaking Evening encounter with J, K & L-pod! Aug 7th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 10 Aug 2010 at 9:20 PM
Here are a few images from our Breathtaking Evening encounter with J, K & L-pod!We headed out in thick fog this evening but determined that the fog would not prevent us from finding the Orcas! Eventual
Topics: nature
Aug 7th, 2010. Morning adventure with Resident Orcas!
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 10 Aug 2010 at 8:25 PM
Here are a few images from our morning adventure with members of the Southern Resident Orcas off San Juan Island!Despite the unseasonally damp and blustery conditions we were treated to another specia
Topics: nature
Aug 7th, 2010. Resident Orcas all day long off San Juan Island!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 09 Aug 2010 at 11:05 PM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with resident Orcas all Day!
Topics: nature
Aug 6th, 2010. Wonderful evening encounter with L & K-pod!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 09 Aug 2010 at 10:56 PM
Here are a few images from our wonderful evening encounter with members of L & K-pod! More info and images to follow.
Topics: nature
Aug 6th, 2010. Afternoon adventure with J, K & L-pod!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 09 Aug 2010 at 10:39 PM
Here are a few images from our Afternoon adventure with J, K & L-pod! More images and info to follow.
Topics: nature
Aug 6th, 2010. New L-pod Calf spotted during our morning tour!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 09 Aug 2010 at 10:16 PM
Here are a few images from our incredible encounter with a New L-pod Calf spotted during our morning tour! More images and info to follow but this is an excellent development:)
Topics: nature
Are humans becoming as wise as whales?
Barbara Julian on Sat 07 Aug 2010 at 8:05 PM
We have taken a big step forward: through the recently promulgated Declaration of Cetacean Rights (http://cetaceanconservation.com.au/cetaceanrights/index.php) humanity acknowledges the cultural and fa
Topics: nature
Animal Torture Flourishing at UBC
Barbara Julian on Sat 07 Aug 2010 at 5:57 PM
The Canadian Council on Animal Care governs the use of animals in lab research in Canada and keeps the statistics on the numbers used and the experimentation they are used in. According to the statisti
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas in Haro Strait in the afternoon! Aug 6th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 07 Aug 2010 at 12:21 AM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from this afternoons encounter with members of J, K & L-pod in Haro Strait!
Topics: nature
New L-pod Calf spotted this morning! Aug 6th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 07 Aug 2010 at 12:12 AM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from this morning's encounter with L-pod including the brand new baby who's mother we believe is L47!
Topics: nature
Incredible evening with L-pod! Aug 5th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 06 Aug 2010 at 7:17 AM
Here are a few images from our incredible evening encounter with L-pod!
Topics: nature
Afternoon adventure with L-pod! Aug 5th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 06 Aug 2010 at 7:11 AM
Here are a few images from our afternoon adventure with L-pod off San Juan Island!
Topics: nature
L-pod all day off San Juan! Aug 5th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 06 Aug 2010 at 6:32 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our encounters today with members of L-pod including L12 & L41!
Topics: nature
Superpod, Superpod, J, K & L-pod together!!! Aug 4th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 05 Aug 2010 at 11:37 AM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays, Superpod, J, K & L-pod together!!! With almost 90 Orcas together it was a wonderful day to be in the Salish Sea:)
Topics: nature
Aug 3rd. J1 and friends all day plus the Gray Whale!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 05 Aug 2010 at 11:26 AM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with members of the Southern Resident Orcas pods (J, K & L-pod) including J1 "Ruffles", plus the Gray Whale. Today was another won
Topics: nature
J & K-pod in the afternoon! Aug 2nd, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 05 Aug 2010 at 11:07 AM
Here are a few images from this afternoon's excellent encounter with members of J & K-pod including K21 "Cappuccino"!We headed over towards Lime Kiln Whale Park this afternoon and encountered a very ac
Topics: nature
Aug 2nd. Magnificent morning encounter with J-pod and Gray Whale!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 05 Aug 2010 at 9:30 AM
Here are a few images from our magnificent morning encounter with J-pod and Gray Whale!We had first received reports of Orcas south of Eagle Point in thick fog and that was the direction we were going
Topics: nature
Wonderful day with Resident Orcas and Gray Whale! Aug 2nd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 05 Aug 2010 at 12:20 AM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's wonderful encounters with J, K & L-pod plus the Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas and Gray Whale in the afternoon! Aug 1st, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 04 Aug 2010 at 11:59 PM
Here are a few amazing images from this afternoon's encounters with members of J, K & L-pod plus the Gray Whale!We headed towards False Bay this afternoon and came upon our first Orcas a few miles offs
Topics: nature
J & L-pod in the morning! Aug 1st, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 04 Aug 2010 at 10:55 PM
Here are a few images from our morning encounter with members of J & L-pod off San Juan Island.The Orcas were actively foraging this morning and we watched L87 "Oynx" chasing a Salmon with just the dor
Topics: nature
Aug 1st. Resdient Orcas all day, what a way to start August!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 02 Aug 2010 at 11:20 PM
Here are a few images from today's encounters with the Southern Resident Orcas taken by Ron Bates, MMRG. What a way to start the month of August!
Topics: nature
July 31st. Evening adventure with J & K-pod!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 02 Aug 2010 at 11:03 PM
Here are a few images from our evening adventure with J & K-pod.We headed out with our excited passengers this evening and encountered members of J & K-pod just near False Bay! The Orcas were in a very
Topics: nature
July 31st. Afternoon encounter with J & K-pod plus the Gray Whale!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 02 Aug 2010 at 9:46 PM
Here are a few images from our wonderful afternoon encounter with J & K-pod off San Juan island in thick fog!We headed out this afternoon in dense fog but still managed to pick up members of J & K-pod
Topics: nature
July 31st. Photo's by Ron Bates, MMRG from todays Orca encounters!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 01 Aug 2010 at 11:26 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG from today's Orca encounters!
Topics: nature
July 30th. Breathtaking evening encounter with J & K-pod!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 01 Aug 2010 at 11:16 PM
Here are just a few images from our breathtaking evening encounter with J & K-pod! More info to follow.
Topics: nature
J & K-pod plus the Gray Whale today! July 30th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 31 Jul 2010 at 8:09 AM
Topics: nature
Active J & K-pod off San Juan Island in the afternoon! July 29th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 31 Jul 2010 at 8:01 AM
Here are a few images from our wonderful encounter with a very active J & K-pod off San Juan Island in the afternoon! More info and images to follow.
Topics: nature
Minke Whales, Gray Whale and Harbor Seals in the morning! July 29th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 31 Jul 2010 at 7:50 AM
Here are a few images from our encounters with three Minke Whales, a Gray Whale and Harbor Seals in the morning! I will be posting more information and images soon.
Topics: nature
Gray Whale in the morning and J & K-pod in the afternoon! July 29th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 30 Jul 2010 at 4:14 PM
Here are a few photo's by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with the Gray Whale in the morning and J & K-pod in the afternoon.
Topics: nature
Wonderful afternoon encounter with Resident Orcas and the Gray Whale! July 28th,
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 29 Jul 2010 at 10:31 PM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our wonderful afternoon encounter with Resident Orcas and the Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Morning encounter with Resident Orcas and a Gray Whale! July 28th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 29 Jul 2010 at 10:12 PM
iHere are a few images by Ron bates, MMRG, from this mornings encounter with members of J, K & L-pod plus the Gray Whale near Oak Bay.
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas, a Minke Whale and a Gray Whale all day! July 27th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 28 Jul 2010 at 12:15 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays excellent encounters with the Southern Resident Orcas, a Minke Whale and a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Superpod, Superpod, J, K & L-pod together for the 1st time this season!!! July 26
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 28 Jul 2010 at 10:50 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's Superpod, as J, K & L-pod were together for the 1st time this season!!!
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with L-pod, a Minke Whale and Gray Whale!! July 25th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 28 Jul 2010 at 10:23 AM
Here are a few images from our evening encounter with members of L-pod, a Minke Whale and Gray Whale!! More info and images to follow.
Topics: nature
Afternoon adventure with J & L-pod! July 25th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 28 Jul 2010 at 9:55 AM
Here are a few images from our afternoon adventure with J & L-pod! More images and info to follow.
Topics: nature
Wonderful morning encounter with J & L-pod off San Juan Island! July 25th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 28 Jul 2010 at 9:32 AM
Here are a few images from this mornings Wonderful morning encounter with J & L-pod off San Juan Island! More images and info to follow.
Topics: nature
J & L-pod encountered off San Juan today! July 25th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 28 Jul 2010 at 9:15 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates from today's encounters with members of J & L-pod off San Juan Island! We even saw a Tufted Puffin today which made Ron's day:)
Topics: nature
Intimate evening encounter with L-pod and the Gray Whale! July 24th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 28 Jul 2010 at 8:52 AM
Here are a few image from our intimate evening encounter with members of L-pod and the Gray Whale! More info and images to follow.
Topics: nature
Magnificent Afternoon encounter with L-pod and Transient Orcas! July 24th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 27 Jul 2010 at 11:18 PM
Magnificent Afternoon encounter with L-pod and Transient Orcas! More to follow.
Topics: nature
Morning adventures with L-pod and a Gray Whale! July 24th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 27 Jul 2010 at 10:51 PM
Here are a few images from our morning adventure with L-pod and the Gray Whale! More info and images to follow.
Topics: nature
K-pod is back and we have confirmation of a Superpod! July 26, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 26 Jul 2010 at 10:05 AM
We have just received confirmation from our vessel "Fastcat" that K-pod has returned to the area and we have our first Superpod of the season with all three pods together off San Juan Island!Book now f
Topics: nature
Images by Ron Bates from our afternoon encounter with L-pod and Transient Orcas!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 25 Jul 2010 at 12:57 AM
Here are some wonderful pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG, from this afternoon's encounter with L-pod and 5 Transient (Marine Mammal eaters) Orcas off Victoria Waterfront.
Topics: nature
Images by Ron Bates from our morning encounter with L-pod and the Gray Whale! Jul
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 25 Jul 2010 at 12:45 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from this mornings encounter with members of L-pod and the Gray Whale in Oak Bay.
Topics: nature
Incredible evening encounter with L-pod! July 23rd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 24 Jul 2010 at 8:13 AM
Here are a few images from an incredible evening encounter with L-pod! More images and info to follow.
Topics: nature
Amazing encounter with J & L-pod in the afternoon! July 23rd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 24 Jul 2010 at 8:09 AM
Here are just a few images from this afternoon's amazing encounter with J & L-pod! More info and images to follow.
Topics: nature
Images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 24 Jul 2010 at 7:58 AM
Here are a few images taken by Naturalist Kristen.
Topics: nature
J & L-pod off San Juan Island! July 23rd. 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 24 Jul 2010 at 12:37 AM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with members of J & L-pod!
Topics: nature
Southern Resident Orcas all day!! July 22nd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 23 Jul 2010 at 10:29 AM
Topics: nature
Afternoon with L-pod & Gray Whale! July 21, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 23 Jul 2010 at 10:21 AM
Here are a few images from this afternoon adventure with L-pod off San Juan Island! More info to follow shortly.
Topics: nature
L-pod in the fog plus a Gray Whale! July 21, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 23 Jul 2010 at 9:45 AM
Here are a few images from this morning's exciting encounter with L-pod in the fog off San Juan Island! Please remember all images are taken with a 300mm lens and are heavily edited & cropped.We had be
Topics: nature
Wonderful L-pod, Minke Whale and Gray Whale encounters! July 21st, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 22 Jul 2010 at 10:09 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's wonderful encounters with L-pod, a Minke Whale and a Gray Whale.In the morning we did have to deal with thick fog but still managed to find member
Topics: nature
Images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes from July 20, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 22 Jul 2010 at 9:59 AM
Here are a few images by Marine Naturalist Kristen Kanes from July 20, 2010
Topics: nature
Humpback Whale and Gray Whale encounters once again! July 20th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 22 Jul 2010 at 9:53 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's wonderful encounters with two species of Baleen Whale, a large Humpback Whale and a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Humpback Whale and Gray Whale encounters! July 19th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 19 Jul 2010 at 10:19 PM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's adventures with a Humpback Whale and a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Incredible afternoon encounter with J & L-pod and a Gray Whale! July 18, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 18 Jul 2010 at 10:39 PM
Here are a few images from an incredible afternoon encounter with members of J & L-pod and a Gray Whale! We witnessed breaches, spyhops, pectoral slaps and tail slaps from the Orcas, plus listened to s
Topics: nature
Multiple breaching J & L-pod, plus a Gray Whale in the morning! July 18th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 18 Jul 2010 at 10:04 PM
Here are a few images from this mornings encounter with members of J & L-pod near Turn Point! It was an amazing trip as we watched multiple breaches, well over 100, in the time we were on scene:)I will
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas and Gray Whale Encounters all day! July 18th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 18 Jul 2010 at 8:08 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with members of J & L-pod plus a Gray Whale. We first encountered members of L & J-pod near Turn Point in the morning and they were mov
Topics: nature
L-pod out west in the afternoon! July 17th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 18 Jul 2010 at 7:36 PM
Here are a few images from our afternoon encounter with members of L-pod west of Victoria! More images and info to follow.
Topics: nature
Morning adventure with J-pod in the fog and a Gray Whale! July 17th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 18 Jul 2010 at 7:19 PM
Here are just a few images from this mornings adventure with J-pod in fog off San Juan Island and a Gray Whale in Oak Bay! More images and information to follow.
Topics: nature
Jpod in fog in the morning a Gray Whale and Lpod in the afternoon! July 17th, 201
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 17 Jul 2010 at 10:21 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays adventures! In the morning we encountered J-pod in fog off San Juan Island and a Gray Whale in Oak Bay. For our afternoon tour we headed out west a
Topics: nature
Wonderful evening encounter with J-pod! July 16th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 17 Jul 2010 at 8:08 AM
Here are just a few images from this evenings wonderful encounter with J-pod! More images and information to follow.
Topics: nature
Gray Whales and Minke Whales! July 16th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 17 Jul 2010 at 7:57 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with both a Gray Whale and Minke Whales!
Topics: nature
Do stick your nose in ... please
Barbara Julian on Fri 16 Jul 2010 at 6:32 PM
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has been paying an unwonted amount of attention to animal welfare issues this week. Too bad it takes the death of five horses at the Calgary Stampede to spark this
Topics: nature
J-pod in Rosario Strait! July 15th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 16 Jul 2010 at 1:39 PM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our adventure with J-pod coming down Rosario Strait!
Topics: nature
Images by Marine Naturalist Kaegan from July 14th.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 16 Jul 2010 at 1:29 PM
Topics: nature
Will Canada's new Governor-General eat seals' hearts?
Barbara Julian on Thu 15 Jul 2010 at 7:21 PM
In the spate of newspaper articles flowing from the announcement of the name of Canada's new Governor-General (David Johnston), one journalist, Susan Riley, writes that she fears he will not be "stylis
Topics: nature
Incredible Gray Whale Encounter! July 14th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 14 Jul 2010 at 11:07 PM
Here are a few images take by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today incredible encounter with a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas, Minke Whale and Gray Whale! July 13th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 13 Jul 2010 at 10:47 PM
Here are a few images from our 4 sold out tours today, on one of the busiest days of the year! All images were taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.Our encounters today included J & L-pod, a Minke Whale and a Gray
Topics: nature
J-pod & Gray Whale on a blustery morning! July 12, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 12 Jul 2010 at 9:24 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from this mornings encounter with J-pod and a Gray Whale!Due to very high winds our afternoon tour was canceled today but our morning passengers were thrilled
Topics: nature
Wonderful encounters with L-pod and a Gray Whale! July 11, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 12 Jul 2010 at 9:19 PM
Here are a few images from today's wonderful encounters with L-pod and a Gray Whale during our morning and afternoon trips! More pictures and info to follow.
Topics: nature
Encounters with L-pod & Gray Whale! July 11, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 12 Jul 2010 at 9:15 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with L-pod and a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with J, K & L-pod plus a Gray Whale! July 10, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 11 Jul 2010 at 10:24 PM
Here are just a few images from this evening spectacular encounter with members of J, K & L-pod plus a Gray Whale!More details and images to follow soon.
Topics: nature
Afternoon adventure with J, K & L-pod! July 10, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 11 Jul 2010 at 10:17 PM
Here are just a few images from this afternoon's encounter with members of J, K & L-pod plus the Gray Whale! More images & Info to follow soon.
Topics: nature
Morning adventure with J & K-pod, plus a Gray Whale!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 11 Jul 2010 at 10:02 PM
Here are just a few images from this morning's encounter with members of J & K-pod plus a Gray Whale.I will be posting more informtion and images soon.
Topics: nature
Afternoon encounter with J, K & L-pod plus the Gray Whale! July 10, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 11 Jul 2010 at 9:47 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our wonderful afternoon encounter with members of J, K & L-pod!
Topics: nature
Morning encounter with J-pod & Gray Whale! July 10, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 11 Jul 2010 at 9:38 PM
Here a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from this morning's encounter with J-pod and a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with L-pod! July 9th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 10 Jul 2010 at 8:03 AM
Here are just a few images from this evening's awesome encounter with members of L-pod south west of Victoria! The Orcas had moved west throughout the day and had been almost out of our range but turne
Topics: nature
Morning adventures with L-pod and a Gray Whale! July 9, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 10 Jul 2010 at 8:00 AM
Here are just a couple of pictures from this morning's wonderful encounter with members of L-pod and a Gray Whale!We found L-pod a few miles south of Victoria heading west. I will be posting more infor
Topics: nature
Pictures by Ron Bates from encounters with Lpod! July 9, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 10 Jul 2010 at 12:52 AM
Here are just a few image by Ron Bates, MMRG, from this morning's encounter with members of L-pod that we found just off Victoria! The Orcas included L5, L84. L54 and L100.
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas, Minke Whale and Gray Whale encounters! July 8th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 08 Jul 2010 at 10:29 PM
Here are just a few images from this afternoon's wonderful encounter with members of J & L-pod, plus a Minke Whale and a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Pictures by Ron Bates from encounters with Orcas, Gray Whale and a Minke Whale! J
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 08 Jul 2010 at 9:02 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's incredible encounters with members of J & L-pod, a Minke Whale and a Gray Whale!What an amazing day to be on the water with temperatures in the 30
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas, Gray Whale and a Humpback Whale on the hottest day of the year! J
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 07 Jul 2010 at 7:34 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's awesome encounters with Resident (Fish Eaters) Orcas, a Gray Whale and a Humpback Whale!!On what was the hottest day of the year so far and one th
Topics: nature
Humpback Whale and Gray Whale encounters! July 6th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 06 Jul 2010 at 10:15 PM
Here are some wonderful images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our encounters with a Gray Whale and a Humpback Whale during today's 2 sold out tours!With calm seas, sunny skies, 2 different types of Baleen Wh
Topics: nature
L-pod in the morning & J-pod in the afternoon! July 5th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 05 Jul 2010 at 10:35 PM
Here are a few incredible images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our encounters with L-pod in the morning and J-pod in the afternoon!
Topics: nature
K & L-pod plus a Gray Whale! July 4th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 05 Jul 2010 at 7:09 AM
Here are just a few images from today's encounters with members of K-pod (K40 & K21) plus several members of L-pod! We also encountered the Gray Whale that has been hanging around Victoria for the past
Topics: nature
Happy 4th of July!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 04 Jul 2010 at 10:57 PM
Happy 4th of July:) Five Star Whale Watching would like to wish everyone a safe and happy American Independence Day!
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with Resident Orcas and Gray Whale! July 3rd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 04 Jul 2010 at 10:52 PM
Here are just a few images from this evenings incredible encounter with members of the Southern Resident orcas and a Gray Whale! More images and information to follow.
Topics: nature
Happy 4th of July!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 04 Jul 2010 at 8:08 AM
Five Star Whale Watching would like to wish everyone a safe and happy American Independence Day!
Topics: nature
L-pod, J-pod & Gray Whale! July 3rd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 04 Jul 2010 at 12:48 AM
Here are some great pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with members of L & J-pod and a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with J-pod plus K21 & K40! July 2nd, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 03 Jul 2010 at 2:45 PM
Here are a few images from this evenings incredible encounter with J-pod and K21 & K40!More images and information to follow shortly.
Topics: nature
J-pod and a Gray Whale photo's by Ron Bates, MMRG! July 2nd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 03 Jul 2010 at 11:57 AM
Here are some beautiful images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with J-pod and a Gray Whale! What an excellent start to the month of July:)
Topics: nature
L-pod & Gray Whale for Canada Day! July 1st, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 03 Jul 2010 at 11:50 AM
What a way to celebrate Canada Day, with encounters with members of L-pod including L41 "Mega", plus a Gray Whale in Oak Bay!I will be posting more information and pictures soon.
Topics: nature
Happy Canada Day!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 01 Jul 2010 at 8:03 AM
Happy Canada Day! Five Star Whale Watching would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Canada Day.
Topics: nature
L-pod & Eagles! June 30, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 01 Jul 2010 at 7:50 AM
Here are just a few images from today's encounter with members of L-pod! I will be posting more information and photots soon.
Topics: nature
Pictures of L12's & Gray Whale by Ron Bates, MMRG! June 30, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 01 Jul 2010 at 12:28 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with the L12 sub pod and a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas & a Gray Whale again! June 29th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 29 Jun 2010 at 10:04 PM
Here are images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with Resident Orcas and the Gray Whale that has been hanging out in Oak Bay!
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas & a Gray Whale once again! June 28th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 28 Jun 2010 at 10:07 PM
Here are images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounter with the Southern Resident Orcas and a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with L-pod and a Gray Whale! June 27th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 28 Jun 2010 at 9:57 PM
Here are just a few images from this evenings encounter with members of L-pod and a Gray Whale! I will be posting more information and images soon.
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas & a Gray Whale! June 27th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 28 Jun 2010 at 9:31 PM
Here are some great images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with members of J, K & L-pod and a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with members of J, K & L-pod & a Gray Whale! June 26th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 27 Jun 2010 at 3:46 PM
Here are just a few images from this evenings encounter with members of J, K & L-pod plus a Gray Whale! I will be posting more details and images shortly.
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas and Gray Whale, again! June 26th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 27 Jun 2010 at 3:30 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with Resident orcas and a Gray Whale!
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with J & K-pod! June 25th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 27 Jun 2010 at 3:15 PM
Here are a few images from our evening encounter with members of J & K-pod including J17 "Princess Angeline" and her new calf J45!No one had kept track of the Orcas we had been following earlier in the
Topics: nature
J & K-pod plus a Gray Whale in the afternoon! June 25th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 27 Jun 2010 at 2:18 PM
We headed out this afternoon towards False Bay and encountered members of J & K-pod once again including J28 "Polaris" & the newest member of J-pod, J46! The Orcas were heading south including J28 &
Topics: nature
J & K-pod off San Juan Island in the morning! June 25th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 27 Jun 2010 at 11:54 AM
Baby Seal & Seagull!Here are a few images from this morning's encounter with members of J & K-pod off San Juan Island.Ron Bates, MMRG, received a report early this morning that calls could be heard on
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas and Gray Whales, again! June25th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 26 Jun 2010 at 2:38 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with J & K-pod plus a Gray Whale.
Topics: nature
Russia and U.S. Torture Monkeys in Space Tests, Europe Declines
Barbara Julian on Sat 26 Jun 2010 at 8:50 AM
For the "MARS500" initiative, NASA assaults squirrel monkeys with large doses of radiation as part of creating a "radiation shield" for humans one day going to Mars. The NASA-funded experiments are car
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas and Gray Whales! June24th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 24 Jun 2010 at 10:29 PM
Here are images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with J & K-pod and Gray Whales!
Topics: nature
Take Action to Save Whales : Humane Society International
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 24 Jun 2010 at 9:42 AM
Take Action to Save Whales : Humane Society InternationalIf you would like to help Save the Whales, click on the link above. We can all do our part to help protect these magnificent Marine Mammals.
Topics: nature
Minke Whales! June 23rd, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 24 Jun 2010 at 9:19 AM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our encounters with Minke Whales today. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The minke whales is the smallest member of the rorqual family of whales (those
Topics: nature
Controversial whaling proposal fails at global meeting | IFAW Web Site
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 23 Jun 2010 at 1:56 PM
Controversial whaling proposal fails at global meeting | IFAW Web Site
Topics: nature
J-pod in fog and a Gray Whale! June 22, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 23 Jun 2010 at 1:20 PM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with J-pod in Fog off San Juan Island and a Gray Whale off Victoria!
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas & Gray Whale! June 21, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 21 Jun 2010 at 5:42 PM
Topics: nature
L-pod off San Juan Island! June 20, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 21 Jun 2010 at 7:08 AM
Here are just a few images from today's encounter with L-pod off San Juan Island! More images and information to follow
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with L41 & Friends! June 19th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 20 Jun 2010 at 11:26 AM
Here is an image from this evenings incredible encounter with L41 "Mega" and friends near Turn Point! I will be posting more pictures and information soon.
Topics: nature
Images by Ron Bates from today's encounter with J, K & L-pod! June 19th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 20 Jun 2010 at 11:15 AM
Here are a few images from today's encounters with J, K & L-pod taken by Ron Bates, MMRG!
Topics: nature
Breathtaking evening encounter with J & K-pod! June 18th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 20 Jun 2010 at 11:12 AM
Here are just a few images from this evenings breathtaking encounter with J & K-pod! I will be posting more images and information shortly!
Topics: nature
J& K-pod afternoon encounter! June 18th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 20 Jun 2010 at 10:37 AM
Here are a few images from our wonderful afternoon encounter with members of J & K-pod off San Juan Island!We headed over to San Juan Island again this afternoon to catch up with the Orcas we had seen
Topics: nature
Pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG, from encounters on June 18, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 20 Jun 2010 at 1:01 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with members of J & K-pod.
Topics: nature
J & K-pod off San Juan Island in the morning! June 18th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 19 Jun 2010 at 3:34 PM
iHere are a few images from this mornings encounter with members of J & K-pod off San Juan Island.Our first clue that Orcas were in our area was when we heard calls at 8.30am on the Lime Kiln Hydrophon
Topics: nature
Southern Resident Orca Pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG! June 17th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 17 Jun 2010 at 10:13 PM
Here pictures of today's encounters with the Southern Resident Orcas by Ron Bates, MMRG! For the fourth straight day we had encounters with Orcas off San Juan Island:)
Topics: nature
J1 & J-pod! June 16th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 17 Jun 2010 at 12:15 AM
mHere are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with J1 & J-pod off San Juan Island.
Topics: nature
J-pod plus K21 & K40! June 15th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 16 Jun 2010 at 1:21 PM
Here are a few images from todays encounter with J-pod plus K21 & K40 off San Juan Island!Ron Bates, MMRG, received reports early on in the morning that Orcas had been sighted near Spieden Island. Ron
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas off San Juan Island! June 14th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 14 Jun 2010 at 11:31 PM
Here are just a few images from this afternoon's encounter with the Southern Resident Orcas off San Juan Island. I will be posting more images and information shortly.
Topics: nature
Southern Resident Orca Pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG! June 14th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 14 Jun 2010 at 10:04 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with the Southern Resident Orcas. We had J-pod in the morning and then members of K-pod and possibly L-pod in the afternoon.
Topics: nature
Thousands flock to watch international fleet review
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 13 Jun 2010 at 12:38 PM
Thousands flock to watch international fleet review
Topics: nature
Minke Whales and Navy Centennial Celebrations! June 12th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 13 Jun 2010 at 12:27 PM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, of our encounters with 3 Minke Whales today, plus pictures from the Canadian Navy Centennial celebrations.
Topics: nature
2 Humpback Whales off Victoria! June 11th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 12 Jun 2010 at 3:42 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with 2 Humpback Whales off Victoria!
Topics: nature
Southern Resident Orca Pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG! June 10th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 12 Jun 2010 at 3:36 PM
Here are a few pictures from today's encounters with the Southern Resident Orcas! Pictures were taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
Pictures of K-pod by Ron Bates, MMRG! June 9th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 12 Jun 2010 at 3:21 PM
Here are a few images from todays encounter with K-pod by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
L41 "Mega" & L-pod off San Juan Island! June 8th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 12 Jun 2010 at 2:41 PM
We headed out East with our two vessels, Supercat & Fastcat after Ron Bates, MMRG, received reports that members of L-pod were just south of Lime Kiln Whale Park!As we arrived on scene we i.d. L41 "Meg
Topics: nature
Pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG, of L-pod on June 8th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 12 Jun 2010 at 1:42 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounter with L-pod off San Juan Island!
Topics: nature
The Grandeur of Butterfly Feet
Barbara Julian on Sat 12 Jun 2010 at 10:28 AM
"His dissertation was on butterfly feet." This wonderful statement is to be found in Sue Halpern's book about the frustratingly elusive variations in monarch butterfly migration patterns: Four Wings an
Topics: nature
J-pod off San Juan Island! June 7th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 09 Jun 2010 at 10:40 AM
We headed out this afternoon with our two high speed expedition Catamarans, Supercat & Fastcat, full with excited passengers eager to see the wonders of the Salish Sea and they were not disappointed!Ou
Topics: nature
Photos of today's encounter with J-pod taken by Ron Bates! June 7, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 08 Jun 2010 at 11:22 PM
Here are a few images of today's encounter with J-pod taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
Pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG, from encounters on June 6 with the SRKW's.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 08 Jun 2010 at 10:39 PM
L41 "Mega", born in 1977Hybrid PorpoiseHere are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounters with members of J, K & L-pod! Today was the first time this season we have had members of all th
Topics: nature
Breathtaking evening encounter with J-pod! June 5th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 07 Jun 2010 at 11:56 PM
Here are just a small sample of picture from this evenings incredible encounter with J-pod! I will be posting more pictures and information very soon.
Topics: nature
Incredible afternoon Transient Orca encounter! June 5, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 07 Jun 2010 at 10:28 PM
We had to venture all the way to almost the entrance to Admiralty inlet today but when we arrived on scene we had an incredible encounter with T102 & friends!Ron Bates, MMRG, identified several of t
Topics: nature
Image by Ron Bates of todays Transient Orca encounter! June 5, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 06 Jun 2010 at 5:19 PM
Here are some awesome images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from our incredible encounter with a large group of Transient Orcas including T102!
Topics: nature
What land is the housecat "native" to?
Barbara Julian on Sat 05 Jun 2010 at 10:23 AM
In Victoria, B.C., as perennially in various other towns around the globe, a few "experts" are complaining that domestic cats (some homeless) are getting into urban wildlife preserves and killing songb
Topics: nature
Will the marine animals of the Pacific Northwest suffer the fate of those in the
Barbara Julian on Sat 05 Jun 2010 at 10:05 AM
Elephant seals haul themselves onto local beaches on Vancouver Island to molt at this time of year. Sea otters can be seen frolicking among the kelp beds, herons stalking the tidepools and all sorts of
Topics: nature
Five Star Whale Watching proud to support annual Variety Boat for Hope event! Jun
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 05 Jun 2010 at 8:04 AM
"The Variety Boat for Hope, presented by Pharmasave provides children who have special needs with a fun-filled day on the water, where they can get a little wet, feel the breeze on their face and ma
Topics: nature
J-pod off San Juan Island! June 3, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 04 Jun 2010 at 9:23 PM
Here are some wonderful images from our encounters with J-pod off San Juan Island, taken by Ron Bates, MMRG. The Orcas were also heard vocalizing on the Lime Kiln Hydrophones today!We got a good look a
Topics: nature
More pictures of L-pod off Victoria! June 2nd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 04 Jun 2010 at 9:07 PM
Here are a few more images from our encounter with L-pod off Victoria, taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
L-Pod off Victoria waterfront! June 2nd, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 03 Jun 2010 at 7:35 PM
Here are some images from todays encounter with members of L-pod off Victoria waterfront!We were the first boat out of the harbour this morning and first made our way towards Haro Strait in search of L
Topics: nature
Transient Orca pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG, from June 30th 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 01 Jun 2010 at 9:27 PM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from the encounters with T40, T86A & T86A2 on Sunday May 30th.
Topics: nature
L-pod off San Juan Island! June 1st, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 01 Jun 2010 at 5:17 PM
Topics: nature
More images from the Swiftsure Race!
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 01 Jun 2010 at 8:45 AM
Here are a few more incredible images by Ron Bates, of the start of the Swiftsure Yacht Race!
Topics: nature
T40 & friends again! May 31st, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 01 Jun 2010 at 7:04 AM
For the second straight day we had an encounter with T40 & friends. More photo's and info to follow!
Topics: nature
T40 & Friends. May 30th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 01 Jun 2010 at 7:03 AM
More info & images to follow from todays encounters with T40 & friends
Topics: nature
Incredible evening Transient Orca encounter! May 29th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 30 May 2010 at 2:23 PM
Here are just a few images from this evenings incredible Transient Orca encounter! I will be posting more images and info soon.
Topics: nature
Swiftsure Race & Wildlife Tours! May 29th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 30 May 2010 at 1:59 PM
Here are a few images from today's tours that included watching the start of the International Swiftsure Race and our wildlife tours.
Topics: nature
J-pod & members of L-pod off San Juan Island! May 28th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 30 May 2010 at 12:49 PM
Here are a few images from todays encounters with J-pod and members of L-pod off San Juan Island. We saw several Orcas surfing in the waves today, which is always fun to watch.The wind was blowing hard
Topics: nature
Members of L-pod off San Juan Island! May 27th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 30 May 2010 at 12:08 PM
Here are a few images from today's encounter with members of L-pod off San Juan Island. For the past few days we have had wonderful encounters with the resident Orcas every day:)
Topics: nature
J & L-pod plus a Humpback Whale! May 26th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 26 May 2010 at 10:46 PM
Here are just a few images from today's encounter with J & L-pod plus a Humpback Whales. More to come shortly.
Topics: nature
L-pod off San Juan Island! May 25th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 25 May 2010 at 11:27 PM
Here are just a few images from today's incredible encounter with members of L-pod off San Juan Island! I will be posting more images and info shortly.
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas in the afternoon! May 24, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 24 May 2010 at 11:28 PM
Here are just a few images from this afternoon's Transient Orca encounter! I will be posting more images and information shortly.
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas and Pinnipeds in the morning! May 24, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 24 May 2010 at 11:07 PM
Here are just a few images from this mornings encounter with Transient Orcas and Pinnipeds.I will be posting more images and info shortly.
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas near Victoria! May 23rd, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 24 May 2010 at 10:51 PM
Early this morning Ron Bates, MMRG, received reports that at least 8 Orcas had been sighted west of Race Rocks. Our 10 am vessel arrived on scene and soon i.d. the Orcas as Transients.I will be posting
Topics: nature
Planning the Human Family
Barbara Julian on Sun 23 May 2010 at 4:09 PM
Alternative energy technology is expensive, except for one strategy: birth control. If we cannot agree on the best way to curb gas emissions, maybe we could control the numbers of emitters. What we can
Topics: nature
Mother & Calf Humpback Whales! May 22, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 23 May 2010 at 3:31 PM
Here are a few images from today's wonderful encounter with a Mother & Calf Humpback Whale near Turn Point!It is unusual to see Humpback Whales on the West side of San Juan Island, but this is the seco
Topics: nature
Bull Kelp Talk! May 21st, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 23 May 2010 at 11:51 AM
Marine Naturalists, Rachel & Kristen talk to passengers about Bull Kelp, an important part of the local ecological puzzle. Bull kelp is the fastest growing seaweed in the world. It can grow from a tin
Topics: nature
Will Britain's New Coalition Government Be Good For Wildlife?
Barbara Julian on Sun 23 May 2010 at 9:25 AM
The department in Britain overseeing natural areas and wild species is "Defra" -- the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They make much of encouraging people to get out and walk in Brit
Topics: nature
Gray Whale at Hein Bank! May 21st, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 22 May 2010 at 11:35 AM
Here are just a few images from today's encounter with a Gray Whale at Hein Bank. I will be posting more information and images shortly.
Topics: nature
Minke Whales, Harbor Porpoise and Seals! May 19th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 19 May 2010 at 8:27 PM
Here are a few images from today's encounter with Minke Whales, Harbor Porpoise and Seals. It was a damp and windy day but it did not detract from the fun we had on the water today!We encountered the M
Topics: nature
Humpback Whale, 3 Minke Whales, Porpoise and more! May 18, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 19 May 2010 at 10:14 AM
We headed out with both our vessels on one of the calmest days of the year to date and with no reports of whales in our area knew we had to find whales for our guest and that is exactly what we did:)Ou
Topics: nature
Minke Whales & Porpoise! May 17th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 17 May 2010 at 5:41 PM
Here are images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounter with two Minke Whales! We also saw over a 150 Harbor Porpoise, California Sealions, Harbor Seals and Bald Eagles.
Topics: nature
Pictures from May 12th to May 16th by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 16 May 2010 at 11:13 PM
Research vesselSpecial Russian twin rotor helicopter, used to take new HVAC unit to the BC museum.Here are a few images from our tours from May 12th to 16th, taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas & Pinnipeds! May 15th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 16 May 2010 at 7:26 PM
Harbor SealsTwo California Sealions at Chain IslandsBelow, Black Oyster CatchersHere are just a few images from today's incredible tours with Transient Orcas near Spieden Island and encounters with var
Topics: nature
Five Star Whale Watching and Empress Marmot!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 16 May 2010 at 6:52 PM
Topics: nature
Protest today to free killer whale captured near Whidbey Island 40 years ago
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 15 May 2010 at 11:42 AM
Protest today to free killer whale captured near Whidbey Island 40 years ago
Topics: nature
Return of L-pod! May 14th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 15 May 2010 at 11:32 AM
Ron Bates, MMRG, received reports yesterday that L-pod had been sighted near Campbell River in the afternoon. By 5.30am today they were already south of Nanaimo and by 2pm they were already making thei
Topics: nature
Wildlife Extravaganza in the Salish Sea! May 14th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 15 May 2010 at 11:10 AM
rHere are a few images from this mornings Wildlife Extravaganza! During our tour we encountered Steller & California Sealions, Northern Elephants Seals, Harbor Seals, Bald Eagles and Harbor Porpoise.It
Topics: nature
Pinnipeds, Harbor Porpoise and Eagles! may 13th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 13 May 2010 at 9:51 PM
Here are a few images from todays tours in which we saw four species of Pinnipeds (Harbor Seals, Steller & California Sealions and Noethern Elephant Seals), Harbor Porpoise, Harlequin Ducks and several
Topics: nature
Sealions, Elephant Seals, Eagles and Tufted Puffins! May 12, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 12 May 2010 at 11:01 PM
Above & the pictures below, a Bald Eagle creates havoc at Race Rocks!Above & the pictures below show the large amount of Sealions & Elephant Seals at Race RocksHere are a few images from today's wildl
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas near Race Rocks! May 11th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 11 May 2010 at 10:21 PM
Here are a few images from today's encounter with the T100's and T102's near Race Rocks. All images were provided by Ron Bates, Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG).
Topics: nature
Aren't Atlantic Salmon Sacred Too?
Barbara Julian on Tue 11 May 2010 at 7:59 PM
"Salmon are sacred" says Alexandra Morton's "Get Out Migration" group as they fight ocean-based fish farms on wild salmon migration routes on Canada's west coast. Not heard in this discussion are those
Topics: nature
Amazing evenint encounter with T124 & CA58! May 9th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 11 May 2010 at 1:08 AM
Here are just a few images from this evening's amazing encounter with T124 & CA58 Transient Orcas! I will be posting more images shortly.We set out of Victoria Harbour this evening hoping to track down
Topics: nature
Afternoon Transient Orca encounter! May 9th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 10 May 2010 at 5:52 PM
Harbor Seals and an Eagle near Lime Kiln Lighthouse.Harbor PorpoiseHere are a few images from this afternoon's encounter with 2 Transient Orcas (T124c & CA058) in Haro Strait!We had just left the harbo
Topics: nature
Spectacular Morning trip! May 9th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 10 May 2010 at 3:19 PM
Sealions & Northern Elephant Seals at Race Rocks!Here are a few images from this mornings spectacular morning trip! I will be posting more information from this trip shortly.
Topics: nature
Minke Whale near Hein Bank! May 8th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 08 May 2010 at 9:48 PM
Minke WhaleHarbor Porpoise and Harbor SealSalmon Are Sacred Rally at BC Legislative Building!Here are a few images from todays incredible afternoon cruise!With calm seas and warm sunny skies we were co
Topics: nature
Curiosities of the Tiny Kingdoms
Barbara Julian on Sat 08 May 2010 at 4:04 PM
Curious By Nature, by Candace Savage; Greystone Books, 2005This is not a new book, but one to keep going back to because some sections so beautifully describe the more unsung topics in animal lit, and
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas near Orcas Island! May 7th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 08 May 2010 at 12:08 PM
Here are just two images from todays encounter with Transient Orcas near Orcas Island. I will be posting more images and info shortly.
Topics: nature
IMPORTANT EVENT!! Salmon Are Sacred rally, May 8th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 07 May 2010 at 11:48 AM
Salmon Are Sacred is calling on everyone who loves wild salmon toparticipate in 'The Get Out Migration' which starts on Earth Day (22ndApril) and ends with a Mother's Day blessing (9th May). In Brit
Topics: nature
Eco-Adventure Tour! May 6th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 07 May 2010 at 11:13 AM
The Eagle catches the unfortunate Gull!Pacific Grace in Haro Strait.Northern Elephant Seals at Race Rocks.Here are a few images from todays spectacular wildlife tour!We set out into the Strait Of Juan
Topics: nature
Spring Wildlife Adventure! May 5th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 05 May 2010 at 10:38 PM
2 Bald Eagles at Race Rocks!Taira & Scotty!Oil tanker with tug escort!Five Star's two vessels, Supercat and Fastcat!Today was our first trip of the season where we had both our vessels heading out full
Topics: nature
Spring Storm! May 3rd, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 04 May 2010 at 10:20 PM
Here are a few images from yesterday's storm that kept most boats off the water!
Topics: nature
1st Humpback Whale Encounter of 2010! May 4th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 04 May 2010 at 10:09 PM
Bald Eagles at Trial IslandTrial Island Lighthouse.What a day on the water and after yesterday's wind storm that kept us off the water, it was great to be back out in the Salish Sea.We encountered a wi
Topics: nature
Cpt. Hook and 4 Transients in the afternoon! May 1st, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 02 May 2010 at 12:34 PM
We heard a report this morning that 5 Orcas had been seen near Sooke heading East. Despite a thorough search of the area in cooperation with another boat, we were unable to find the Orcas.However, as w
Topics: nature
Morning adventure with very excited Japanese students! May 1st, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 02 May 2010 at 10:52 AM
Turbulent seas at Race RocksSeagulls fight over a fish headVictoria Floating Boat ShowStudents enjoying the ride on the large bow of Fastcat!Here are a few images from our morning adventure with a grou
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2010, J POD RETURNS!
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 30 Apr 2010 at 5:37 PM
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2010, J POD RETURNS!After over 50 days during which we saw Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales, Five Star Whale Watching's "Supercat" encountered Southern Resident (Fish-Ea
Topics: nature
Great News! The Southern Resident Orcas are back, J-pod has been sighted just off
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 30 Apr 2010 at 1:55 PM
We have confirmed reports that J-pod returned to the Salish Sea today after almost 2 months away! This bodes well for today's tours as well as our upcoming tours over the weekend:)
Topics: nature
Wildlife Adventure! April 28th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 30 Apr 2010 at 1:27 PM
Northern Elephant Seals are the second largest of the Pinnipeds (Seals & Sealions). A full grown male can reach 13' long and almost 4500lbs! At this time of year they are molting as can be seen in the
Topics: nature
T88 & T87 Transient Orcas! April 28th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 28 Apr 2010 at 5:23 PM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's encounter with T87 & T88 Transient Orcas near Oak Bay.
Topics: nature
Wildlife Extravaganza in the Salish Sea! April 25th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 26 Apr 2010 at 10:55 AM
A guest visiting from Toronto marvels at the wonders of the Salish Sea!Race Rocks Lighthouse, first lit on Boxing Day 1860.What a wonderful day to be on the water, sunshine, calm seas and an amazing mi
Topics: nature
Spring Wildlife Adventure! April 23rd, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 25 Apr 2010 at 11:18 AM
Here are just a few images from today's spring Wildlife Adventure in the Salish Sea!We saw lots of Seals, Bald Eagles, Steller & California Sealions, Northern Elephant Seals and Harbor Porpoise during
Topics: nature
Our Compassion Footprint
Barbara Julian on Sun 25 Apr 2010 at 10:55 AM
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, each year about 10 percent, or 900 million, of the animals raised for food never reach the slaughterhouse. Th
Topics: nature
Earth Day TLC fund raising cruise! April 22nd, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 23 Apr 2010 at 7:54 AM
Here are a few images from today's very special Earth Day Cruise, with all proceeds from the trip going to the TLC's for their Wild Hills & Beaches Campaign.It was a beautiful day on the water, though
Topics: nature
Raccoon at the Empress! April 21st, 2010. and Earth Day Cruise info for April 22n
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 21 Apr 2010 at 4:37 PM
Ron Bates, MMRG, noticed this Raccoon up a tree in the grounds of the Empress Hotel today!We canceled our trip at 2.00pm today due to a Gale Force wind warning by environment Canada but please join us
Topics: nature
Sealions at Whale Rocks! April 20th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 21 Apr 2010 at 11:31 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, of the large number of Steller Sealions encountered at Whale Rocks.
Topics: nature
Wildlife Tour! April 19th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 21 Apr 2010 at 10:30 AM
Here are a few images from our wildlife tour on April 19th, 2010.We saw five Bald Eagles, a large number of Harbour Seals, Steller Sealions, Harbour Porpoise and 6 Northern Elephant Seals!Another succe
Topics: nature
REMINDER: Tomorrow (Thurs, April 22, 2010) Earth Day Whale Watching Proceeds to T
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 21 Apr 2010 at 9:28 AM
REMINDER: Tomorrow (Thurs, April 22, 2010) Earth Day Whale Watching Proceeds to The Land ConservancyJoin us on our 2:00pm, Thursday, April 22, 2010 (Earth Day) cruise and help fund TLC's Wild Hills and
Topics: nature
Pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG, from Transient Encounters on Apr 16, 17 & 18, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 20 Apr 2010 at 4:04 PM
Here are some great images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from recent Transient Orca encounters on April 16th, 17th and 18th, 2010.
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas near Protection Island! April 18th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 18 Apr 2010 at 11:22 PM
Here are a few images of the Transient Orcas we encountered his afternoon.When we first heard reports of Orcas it was by someone living near Port Townsend who had spotted he Orcas at 9.30am. However
Topics: nature
Important News! Victoria Tourism Companies Join Forces for Earth Day and TLC | Th
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 18 Apr 2010 at 9:44 PM
TLC Recognizes Five Star Whale Watching and Adrena Line Zip Line Adventure Tours for Earth Day Fundraising Activities.Join us on our 2:00pm, Thursday, April 22, 2010 (Earth Day) cruise and help fund
Topics: nature
T103 and unidentified female Transient Orca! April 17th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 18 Apr 2010 at 11:27 AM
Here are a few images from todays encounter with T103 and an unidentified female Orca.We encountered the two Transients close to shore near Bentick Island.Ron Bates, MMRG, is trying to i.d. this fe
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas near Victoria! April 16th, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 17 Apr 2010 at 12:22 AM
April continues to provide some amazing wildlife experiences as yet again Five Star Whale Watching enjoyed observing a pod of Transient Orcas a few miles south of Victoria!We encountered the Transient
Topics: nature
Thursday, April 15, 2010 "Let's Have A T Party!"
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 15 Apr 2010 at 5:51 PM
Thursday, April 15, 2010 "Let's Have A T Party!"Well, at least that's what one Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales, or "T's" as we call them in Marine Naturalist lingo, must have said becaus
Topics: nature
Boaters near orcas face more scrutiny
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 15 Apr 2010 at 2:46 PM
Boaters near orcas face more scrutinyWhilst I applaud the efforts to protect the Orcas I believe more effort needs to go towards saving and increasing the wild salmon population. The Whale Watching ind
Topics: nature
Local orcas' favorite meal: B.C. chinook. Seattle Times Article!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 15 Apr 2010 at 11:31 AM
Local%20orcas%27%20favorite%20meal%3A%20B%2EC%2E%20chinook
Topics: nature
More photos of the Transients Orcas from April 11th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 13 Apr 2010 at 1:25 PM
Here are more photos from the amazing Transient Orca encounter on April 11th, 2010. It has now been confirmed that we had the T100's, the T30's, T102 and T14.Theses photos were taken by Ron Bates, MMRG
Topics: nature
Over 15 Transient Orcas near Victoria!! April 11th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 11 Apr 2010 at 10:38 PM
Here are just a few images from todays spectacular encounter with over 15 Transient Orcas, including T14 and T103!! I will be posting more information and images shortly.
Topics: nature
7 Transient Orcas near Bird Rock! April 10th, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 11 Apr 2010 at 11:48 AM
Photo courtesy of Jeanne Hyde!Today was a very magical day on the water with 7 Transient Orcas, including T87 and T14, near Bird Rocks. We first got reports of these Orcas at 10.00am and and amazingly
Topics: nature
Lab Animal Testing in Canada
Barbara Julian on Sat 10 Apr 2010 at 10:23 AM
Cats play the blues; some humans reach out to the tortured ones (image from G.A.P.)Something to think about as we approach "World Laboratory Animal Week" (April 17-25th)- this comes from the STOP UBC A
Topics: nature
Spring Wildlife Adventure! April 9, 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 09 Apr 2010 at 10:32 PM
Yellow Bellied MarmotHere are just a few images from todays exciting Spring Wildlife Adventure!We headed out this afternoon into blustery conditions in the Strait Of Juan De Fuca on a beautiful Spring
Topics: nature
TUESDAY, April 6, 2010, Transient Killer Whales near Becher Bay, not far from Bea
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 06 Apr 2010 at 5:25 PM
TUESDAY, April 6, 2010, Transient Killer Whales near Becher Bay, not far from Beached Grey WhaleThat makes us 5 out of 6 trips for seeing Killer Whales, amazing for this early in the season!Add Race Ro
Topics: nature
Monday, April 5, 2010 Transient Killer Whales, Elephant Seals, Steller Sea Lions
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 05 Apr 2010 at 6:54 PM
Monday, April 5, 2010 Transient Killer Whales, Elephant Seals, Steller Sea Lions & Beached Grey WhaleAs always, Five Star Whale Watching headed out to search for as wide a variety of marine wildlife as
Topics: nature
Monday, April 5, 2010: Yellow-Bellied Marmot Returns!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 05 Apr 2010 at 6:38 PM
Monday, April 5, 2010: Yellow-Bellied Marmot Returns!!Like any good newpaper writer, the above headline is very misleading. The Yellow-bellied Marmot that took up residence on the lawn and in the garde
Topics: nature
Saturday, April 3, 2010: MARINE MAMMAL?
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 03 Apr 2010 at 5:55 PM
Saturday, April 3, 2010: MARINE MAMMAL?A curious creature was seen near the Victoria waterfront and on Five Star Whale Watching's Expedition Catamaran "Fast Cat".Reports are that sometimes it hopped, w
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, April 3, 2010, Elephant Seals, California & Steller Sea Lions & Harbour
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 03 Apr 2010 at 5:17 PM
SATURDAY, April 3, 2010, Elephant Seals, California & Steller Sea Lions & Harbour SealsAn early morning report of Transient Killer Whales showed us all once again just how humble we should be... Less t
Topics: nature
WEDS, MARCH 31, 2010 Fifteen Transient Killer Whales Get Together To Hunt!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 02 Apr 2010 at 3:23 PM
WEDS, MARCH 31, 2010 Fifteen Transient Killer Whales Get Together To Hunt!!!As recently as 15 years ago if you went to a seminar or class to learn about identifying Killer Whales, you likely would have
Topics: nature
What are wildlife parks for?
Barbara Julian on Fri 02 Apr 2010 at 11:04 AM
The word "park" (parc in French, parque in Spanish, parricus in Latin, related to "paddock") means space set aside for woodland and/or pasture. It is a place for animals and their habitat. The David Su
Topics: nature
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 30 Mar 2010 at 6:39 PM
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALESOut for our second cruise of the 2010 Season, Five Star Whale Watching and our passengers entered Transient (Marine Mammal Eating) Killer Whales.Enjoy the
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2010 FIRST CRUISE OF THE SEASON
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 30 Mar 2010 at 5:11 PM
SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2010 FIRST CRUISE OF THE SEASONFive Star Whale Watching began a new season of Responsible Wildlife Viewing with a rush today as we saw Elephant Seals, Steller Sea Lions, Harbour Seals
Topics: nature
2010 Season is almost here!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 28 Mar 2010 at 12:29 PM
After a very eventful winter with a number of new calfs born in the SRKW's we at Five Star Whale Watching are gearing up for the start of our 2010 Season! We are very excited about the prospects for th
Topics: nature
PLEASE "Free Tilli": The obscenity of whales in captivity
Barbara Julian on Fri 26 Mar 2010 at 8:36 PM
"Tillikum" is trying to tell us something. Why are humans too unintelligent to get the message?Tillikum "was two years old when he was captured from Iceland and was one of three whales involved in the
Topics: nature
The Wisdom of Plants and Animals
Barbara Julian on Sat 20 Mar 2010 at 10:39 AM
We humans like saying we are the rational animal, and that we learn by applying logic to sets of facts, but life seems to have an unlying knowledge built into the very chemistry of cells, that our vaun
Topics: nature
The Creatureliness of Earth
Barbara Julian on Sun 07 Mar 2010 at 7:38 PM
Open Wide a Wilderness: Canadian Nature Poems, ed. by Nancy Holmes, Wilfred Laurier University Press, 2009.What could be more important than opening wide a wilderness, since the press of human activity
Topics: nature
Olympics Update - Canada Is Owning the Odium
Barbara Julian on Wed 17 Feb 2010 at 8:48 AM
Even non-sports-fans among Canadians have become sports followers for the 2010 Olympics, cheering on the country's plan to win medals and "own the podium." VANOC organizers are heroically grappling wit
Topics: nature
Closed Containment Fish Farms As Bad As Open Net
Barbara Julian on Tue 16 Feb 2010 at 6:25 PM
Opposition politicians in British Columbia, as well as environmental groups, are calling for closed containment fish farms to mitigate the effects on wild salmon of the sea lice which escaped farmed sa
Topics: nature
Dogs and Stories: both subject and audience
Barbara Julian on Sat 06 Feb 2010 at 5:16 PM
Possibly Alexander McCall Smith (see the Corduroy Mansions note above) would understand the appeal for child readers, and for the author who created them, of the denizens of the "Planet of the Dogs." T
Topics: nature
British book industry discovers animalit
Barbara Julian on Sat 06 Feb 2010 at 4:11 PM
The black and white house cat who made a habit of travelling alone by bus in England (and who was tragically run over last week) is the subject of an upcoming biography, according to The Bookseller, (
Topics: nature
WWF's Earth Hour Returns Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 02 Feb 2010 at 3:18 PM
http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem14885.htmlMount Rushmore, Las Vegas Strip, Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge and other US Landmarks to "turn out” for the planet a
Topics: nature
Animals, Climate Change, and the Attack on Dr. Pachauri
Barbara Julian on Wed 27 Jan 2010 at 1:03 PM
Are most of the world's news and opinion media pro-corporate and religiously fundamentalist? Desperate to discredit the International Panel on Climate Change, for business and/or ideological reasons, m
Topics: nature
Watching the Giant Tragedy of Whales
Barbara Julian on Fri 22 Jan 2010 at 5:52 PM
Watching Giants: The Secret Lives of Whales, by Elin Kelsey; U of California Press, 2009In Watching Giants, Kelsey shows us how understanding the evolution and nature of whales depends on understanding
Topics: nature
World Anti-Wildlife Fund
Barbara Julian on Thu 21 Jan 2010 at 5:53 PM
Call it WAWFing -- making announcements such as WWF-Canada's that hunting polars bears doesn't hurt them. This is the conclusion World Wildlife Fund has come to after bonding with the government of Nun
Topics: nature
Culture of Cruelty: selling animals for lab experimentation
Barbara Julian on Fri 08 Jan 2010 at 5:40 PM
What is "bioculture"? It sounds like a fuzzily scientific, vagely natural agricultural sort of thing ... a meaningless term meant not to raise any alarm bells. It is actually the name of a company -- B
Topics: nature
Victoria Times Colonist Article and Another photo of J-47, First New Calf of 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 08 Jan 2010 at 3:48 PM
Victoria Times Colonist Article and Another photo of J-47, First New Calf of 2010http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Largest+year+baby+spotted+near+Juans/2410868/story.htmlLargest new year baby spo
Topics: nature
Another New Calf!!! J-47 born to J-35 Tahlequah
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 08 Jan 2010 at 3:37 PM
Another New Calf!!! J-47 born to J-35 TahlequahThe Center for Whale Research http://www.whaleresearch.com/ on San Juan Island, Washington, has reported that another New Killer Whale Calf has been born
Topics: nature
WELCOME TO 2010!!! Thursday, January 7, 2010
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 07 Jan 2010 at 10:29 PM
WELCOME TO 2010!!! Thursday, January 7, 2010NATUREWe don't know about you, but our reaction to movies like "Avatar" is that "Yes, they are great achievements of Computer Science and they tell a messag
Topics: nature
Doing unto the other others
Barbara Julian on Wed 30 Dec 2009 at 1:03 AM
Sad news in the New Brunswick newspapers: a Trappist monastery in Rogersville is not willing to be kind to chickens. They crowd them into a battery farm under "deplorable" conditions at Our Lady of Cal
Topics: nature
"Marastoons" For Animals set up in Afghanistan, and needed everywhere
Barbara Julian on Mon 28 Dec 2009 at 8:25 PM
PARSA is a nonprofit NGO in Afghanistan that helps disadvantaged Afghans with "critical psychosocial issues." One goal is to rehabilitate and modernize the "Marastoons" or "plac
Topics: nature
http://5starwhales.blogspot.com/2009/12/merry-christmas-from-everyone-at-five.html
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 25 Dec 2009 at 12:06 AM
Merry Christmas from everyone at Five Star Whale Watching!!
Topics: nature
Thinking about Christmas dinner
Barbara Julian on Wed 23 Dec 2009 at 7:24 PM
Waiting for slaughter - nowhere to runThoughts of peace and light, time with family and friends -- and millions of dead turkeys. That's what mainstream Christmas is for most. The TV and radio are full
Topics: nature
Copenhagen Conference: Cows, Whales, and Danish Civilization
Barbara Julian on Thu 17 Dec 2009 at 9:48 PM
To some people (generally of the secular liberal humanitarian democratic persuasion) Copenhagen will have been considered one of the centres of human civilization to date. Good place for a conference o
Topics: nature
Snow Valley Heroes: a Christmas Tale from the Planet of the Dogs series for kids
Barbara Julian on Thu 17 Dec 2009 at 8:30 PM
The Planet of the Dogs series for age six and up "tell(s) the stories of the first time dogs came to planet Earth to teach people about unconditional loyalty and love." Lest that sound too nice however
Topics: nature
Top Animal Books of 2009
Barbara Julian on Sat 12 Dec 2009 at 6:39 PM
Year-end favourites list (take it as read that "fascinating and eloquent" describes each):The Greatest Show On Earth, by Richard Dawkins (Free Press) -- Dr. Dolittle does it again (see review posted ab
Topics: nature
The Nature of Language About Nature
Barbara Julian on Fri 11 Dec 2009 at 9:51 PM
It's that time of the book reviewing year again, when everybody lists their "top ten" titles. Plus, this time everyone is listing favourites from the whole decade, since the first one of the 21st centu
Topics: nature
Nature Is Great
Barbara Julian on Fri 11 Dec 2009 at 5:47 PM
We conclude a decade of fabulous life sciences literature for the lay reader with one of the best books explaining how we know evolution is self-propelled: Richard Dawkins' The Greatest Show On Earth (
Topics: nature
Half the world's polar bears live (i.e. are dying) in Canada
Barbara Julian on Fri 11 Dec 2009 at 5:29 PM
Since half the world's polar bears live in Canada, we Canadians have twice the responsibility as do others for their welfare. So tell your MPs, Canadians: STOP THE POLAR HUNT! All forms of it, by any p
Topics: nature
Animals and Global Warming (Al Gore's Our Choice)
Barbara Julian on Sun 06 Dec 2009 at 6:15 PM
Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis, by Al Gore (Rodale Inc., 2009), although full of useful information, manages to discuss the state of the environment while barely mentioning animals. It
Topics: nature
How They Brought the Good News From Ghent To Us ("Veggie Day")
Barbara Julian on Fri 04 Dec 2009 at 6:05 PM
In Ghent, Belgium, animals now get one day off per week from being our food. This comes from Vegetarium Times:(Ghent is) "the first city in the world to officially go vegetarian one day a week. Launche
Topics: nature
Fish Feel Pain -- and aquaculture is cruel
Barbara Julian on Thu 03 Dec 2009 at 10:11 PM
There is a debate going on in B.C. about the relative benefits of open net fish farms versus closed containment fish farms. People concerned about the harm done by escaping farmed fish, and sea lice mi
Topics: nature
Horses have no rights under Canadian Criminal Code
Barbara Julian on Wed 02 Dec 2009 at 7:25 PM
These people are bearing witness for the legal rights of horses outside the courthouse in Victoria, B.C., where the first appearance was made November 30/09 by lawyers before the trial of two men who
Topics: nature
Farm Animal Transport in Canada
Barbara Julian on Fri 27 Nov 2009 at 8:00 PM
Photo from CCFFASweden has recently hosted a Final Conference on Farm Animal Welfare Quality. Welfare Quality is an EU-funded research project which set out to develop European standards for the assess
Topics: nature
Animal Books For Children (Age 7 Up)
Barbara Julian on Wed 18 Nov 2009 at 5:47 PM
Thinking ahead about Christmas presents? Here's a list of children's books about animals, compiled by United Animal Nations. UAN has a heroic story of its own to tell, being the emergency rescuers of a
Topics: nature
Canada wastes $10 million taxpayers' money telling Europe what to do
Barbara Julian on Sun 15 Nov 2009 at 5:04 PM
The True North Stubborn and Cruel? -- it's a dark day for Canada, now that the government has decided to protest formally to the World Trade Organization about the European Union's ban on importing Can
Topics: nature
Let them eat berries?
Barbara Julian on Sun 15 Nov 2009 at 12:31 AM
Sometimes, searching for topics and funding, biologists invent problems that are not there. Sometimes they even admit there is no problem, as in the case of the range of the grey squirrel on southern V
Topics: nature
New Calf In J-Pod! Wed Nov 11th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 13 Nov 2009 at 11:02 PM
GREAT NEWS - J pod has a new calf! J46 was first observed off San Juan Island today by Jeanne Hyde & Monika Wieland, then they headed to Victoria, to swim by for Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Res
Topics: nature
Universal Declaration On Animal Welfare Supported in Canadian Parliament
Barbara Julian on Fri 13 Nov 2009 at 5:09 PM
Animal Welfare in Canada? (IFAW photo)On the eve of the Copenhagen meetings on climate change, at which 20,000 scientists, politicians, ngo's and other intervenors will try to come to some consensus on
Topics: nature
Five Star 2009 Season Highlights!
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 04 Nov 2009 at 6:29 PM
The crazy Five Star staff:)Here are a few images showing just a few of the highlights of the 2009 Season. It was tough to choose from all the incredible images but here are some I chose as a sample of
Topics: nature
The Ark, the House, and the Burning Mouse
Barbara Julian on Wed 04 Nov 2009 at 5:12 PM
Anecdotal, autobiographical and leisurely, Adrift In the Ark: Our Connection to the Natural World (by Margaret Thompson, Brindle and Glass, 2009) is a memoir about and tribute to animals the author has
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2009, More Photos from Last Cruise of the 2009 Season
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 03 Nov 2009 at 9:19 PM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2009, More Photos from Last Cruise of the 2009 Season...And WHAT A CRUISE IT WAS!!!Dall's Porpoise playfully bow-riding, Steller's and California Sea Lions massed on every conceiv
Topics: nature
Final trip of the season with the T49's and T103! Oct 31st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 02 Nov 2009 at 8:42 PM
Ron Bates, MMRG, and our crazy naturalists:) Ron is known as the "Whale Guru" or "Commodore Ron". He is responsible for organizing the spotting network for the Pacific Whale Watching fleet and does an
Topics: nature
Pre-Copenhagen, a Stern Warning About Climate Heat and Meat
Barbara Julian on Sat 31 Oct 2009 at 11:43 PM
"Meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases. It puts enormous pressure on the world's resources. A vegetarian diet is better.” Economist Nicholas Stern who three years ago
Topics: nature
Happy Halloween brings Transient Orcas! Final trip of the Season today:) Oct 31,
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 31 Oct 2009 at 6:24 PM
Delighted passengers at the end of our wonderful final tour of 2009!An almost full moon on Halloween, spooky:0HAPPY HALLOWEEN!We set out this afternoon at 2.00pm on the final tour of the 2009 season, n
Topics: nature
More pictures from todays Humpback Encounter taken by Ron Bates. Oct 22nd, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 25 Oct 2009 at 4:23 AM
Here are more images from todays tour taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
Obama and Oil: Drilling Kills Marine Animals
Barbara Julian on Sat 24 Oct 2009 at 4:14 PM
Those who adopted a wait-and-see attitude to the Obama administration after Obama's election victory last year, have had sad affirmation of their cautious approach. The opening of the Beaufort Sea area
Topics: nature
Humpback Whales, Porpoise and Sealions! Oct 22nd, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 23 Oct 2009 at 2:02 AM
Here are a few images from an incredible Humpback Whale encounter off Victoria on Oct 22nd, 2009. We headed out this morning at 9.30am and shortly after departing the harbour came across over 200 Harbo
Topics: nature
River Otters, Pelicans & Humpback Whale Picture by Ron Bates. Oct 15th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 21 Oct 2009 at 3:53 PM
Here are more images from todays incredible tour taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
Thank You Bosley's
Barbara Julian on Tue 20 Oct 2009 at 12:16 AM
Every bit of good news helps:The pet supplies retailer Bosley's Pet Food Plus has decided to discontinue selling a line of toys for cats, made of rabbit fur from Chinese fur farms and/or slaughter hous
Topics: nature
Humpback Whales, Dall's Porpoise, Pelican, River Otters and more! Oct 15th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 16 Oct 2009 at 6:42 AM
We headed out this afternoon and came across 3 Humpback Whales between Race Rocks and Constance Bank. Two large female Humpback Whales were encountered 2 miles South East of Race Rocks and were being h
Topics: nature
New Calf in L-pod, L113!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 15 Oct 2009 at 2:04 PM
http://www.whaleresearch.com/encounter_pages/New_calf_L113.htmlVisit the link above to see the full story on the exciting news that there is a new calf in L-pod, L113! The Center for Whale Research con
Topics: nature
Breathtaking Dall's Porpoise Encounter! Oct 10th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 14 Oct 2009 at 3:07 AM
Here are some breathtaking pictures of a an encounter with Dall's Porpoise on Oct 10th on our way home from watching Humpback Whales. This encounter left both the passengers and crew spell bound!
Topics: nature
Happy Thanksgiving & Columbus Day from Everyone at Five Star Whale Watching!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 12 Oct 2009 at 7:21 PM
Five Star Whale Watching would like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving and Columbus Day to all our passengers and friends!We have a lot to be thankful for this year.
Topics: nature
More images from todays stunning encounter with Humpback Whales and Dall's Porpoi
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 11 Oct 2009 at 4:07 PM
Here are just a few more images from today's stunning encounter with at least 4 Humpback Whales, including an intimate encounter with "Split Fin" and mother.Our Capt, Trev, spotted "Split Fin" off in t
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2009, Some of the most amazing Dall's Porpoise Photos! Plus
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 11 Oct 2009 at 1:10 AM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2009, Some of the most amazing Dall's Porpoise Photos! Plus Humpbacks and Sea Lions at Race Rocks Marine Protected Area (MPA)One of the advantages of keeping an open and grateful
Topics: nature
L-pod and Humpback Whales off Victoria! Oct 9th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 10 Oct 2009 at 6:42 PM
Here are just a few images from today's encounter with L-pod and three Humpback Whales off Victoria!Our owner, Eric Johnson, called the office from the Coho Ferry this afternoon after having spotted at
Topics: nature
Such Changing Tides in the Affairs of Sea Otters
Barbara Julian on Sat 10 Oct 2009 at 5:47 PM
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has just declared the Alaskan part of the range of the sea otter "critical habitat" in an attempt to sustain and rebuild their numbers. By their own admission though,
Topics: nature
What Is the Biology of the Human-Animal Bond?
Barbara Julian on Sat 10 Oct 2009 at 4:50 PM
Contemporary Cultural Activity in the Faroe IslandsSub-titled The Biology of the Human-Animal Bond, Meg Daley Olmert's new book Made For Each Other (Da Capo Press, 2009) explores what has bonded humans
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, Sea Lions at Race Rocks Marine Protected Area, Part of L pod o
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 10 Oct 2009 at 1:12 AM
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, Sea Lions at Race Rocks Marine Protected Area, Part of L pod of Resident "Fish Eating" Killer Whales & Humpback WhaleOur Spectacular October Continues!Each day the Marine Environment
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2009, Five Humpbacks off Victoria!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 10 Oct 2009 at 1:03 AM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2009, Five Humpbacks off Victoria!Are we having an October to remember? Unbelievably so.Today we saw five Humpback Whales off Victoria. Remarkable.
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2009 SUPERPOD IN OCTOBER? You Betcha!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 10 Oct 2009 at 12:52 AM
Wednesday, OCTOBER 7, 2009 SUPERPOD IN OCTOBER? You BetchaOne minute you're just minding your own business and then "WOW" you get a report of J pod of 25 Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales...travelin
Topics: nature
Five Humpback Whales off Victoria! Oct 8th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 09 Oct 2009 at 6:22 PM
Here are pictures from today's encounter with Five Humpback Whales off Victoria! We also saw two Bald Eagles, hundreds of Steller & California Sealions, Harbor Seals and Dall's Porpoise during today's
Topics: nature
J, K & L-pod!! Oct 7th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 08 Oct 2009 at 8:05 AM
Here are a few images from todays spectacular encounter with J, K & L-pod off San Juan Island! When we arrived on scene most of the Orcas were in a resting/traveling formation and were slowly moving No
Topics: nature
NOAA regulations. Please make a comment Now! We need your help to save the Salmon
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 08 Oct 2009 at 6:51 AM
I don't care if you agree with the concept of Whale Watching or not but I am asking everyone to make comments to NOAA about there proposed regulations. I do the job... I do not because of money (far fr
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2009, Afternoon Trip...4 times as many whales as passengers
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 13 Sep 2009 at 6:13 PM
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2009, Afternoon Trip...4 times as many whales as passengers!Everywhere we looked today we found whales: Orcas and Humpbacks.Five Star Whale Watching's Crew calculated that we saw
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2009, Morning Trip, Resident Killer Whales & Humpbacks!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 13 Sep 2009 at 6:05 PM
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2009, Morning Trip, Resident Killer Whales & Humpbacks!!!Within a 10 mile (16km) radius of Victoria Harbour Five Star Whale Watching found 70-plus Killer Whales & 3 Humpback Whale
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009, Afternoon Trip, Bewitched, Bedazzled & Bewildered
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 13 Sep 2009 at 12:15 PM
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009, Afternoon Trip, Bewitched, Bedazzled & BewilderedWC Fields is quoted as saying 'If you don't want to be upstaged or embarrassed, never work with children or animals'.Well,
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009, Morning Trip, 15+ KIller Whales plus a Humpback Wha
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 13 Sep 2009 at 8:54 AM
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009, Morning Trip, 15+ Killer Whales plus a Humpback WhaleWe often hear mis-information being given out by hotels and other whale watching companies: Namely, they will say "It
Topics: nature
Afternoon encounter with L-pod! Sept 11th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 12 Sep 2009 at 10:16 PM
This afternoon we ventured to Hein Bank where we caught up with members of L-pod. We could see the pod was spread out between Salmon Bank and Hein as they foraged for Salmon.Whilst we watched the Orcas
Topics: nature
Spectacular Dall's Porpoise Encounter! Sept 11th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 12 Sep 2009 at 9:10 PM
This afternoon on our way to see the Orcas we had a spectacular encounter with Dall's Porpoise that began bow riding our vessel Supercat, it was a breathtaking experience!
Topics: nature
J, K and members of Lpod in the morning! Sept 11th, 2008.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 12 Sep 2009 at 5:58 PM
We headed out to the west coast of San Juan Island this morning where we encountered members of L-pod including the L12's. We were the only boat on scene from Victoria and had a wonderful time watching
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009, Afternoon Trip with T-18 Group of Transient "Marine
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 10 Sep 2009 at 5:59 PM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009, Afternoon Trip with T-18 Group of Transient "Marine-Mammal-Eating" Killer Whales & Two Humpback Whales!!!When we at Five Star Whale Watching provide our overview prior to
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009, Morning Trip with J Pod of Southern Resident Killer
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 10 Sep 2009 at 5:51 PM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009, Morning Trip with J Pod of Southern Resident Killer Whales
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009, J Pod of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 10 Sep 2009 at 5:29 PM
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009, J Pod of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer WhalesWhat started as a dark,rainy day slowly turned into a one-minute-sunny to next-minute-showers kind of day. But as we told our
Topics: nature
J-pod and members of L-pod in the afternoon! Sept 9, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 10 Sep 2009 at 4:21 PM
This afternoon we headed towards the west side of San Juan Island after receiving reports that both J & L-pod were sighted there. On our way to the Orcas we encountered a playful group of Dall's Porpoi
Topics: nature
J & L-pod off Victoria in the morning:) Sept 9, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 10 Sep 2009 at 3:50 PM
This morning we had only been out of the harbour for 10 minutes when reports came in that J & L-pod had been sighted nearby passing Victoria:) In calm seas and sunny skies we sat with our engines off a
Topics: nature
What does "native" mean? On squirrels, bears, and getting out of nature's way
Barbara Julian on Thu 10 Sep 2009 at 10:41 AM
Sometimes, in searching for research topics (and funding), biologists invent problems that aren't even there. Sometimes they even admit there is no problem, as in research into the range of the grey sq
Topics: nature
Walking a mile in their hooves
Barbara Julian on Thu 10 Sep 2009 at 10:28 AM
Here's a great initiative: the WALK FOR FARM ANIMALS, which raises money for Farm Sanctuary , which rescues abused and disposed-of farm animals and also advocates and educates on the effects of factory
Topics: nature
Humpback Whale sighted off Victoria! Sept 8th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 08 Sep 2009 at 10:28 AM
Our first boat of the day has not been out of the Harbour for more than 30 minutes and is already on scene with a majestic Humpback Whale off Victoria:) More images and info to follow but with calm sea
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas! Sept 7th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 07 Sep 2009 at 5:12 PM
eHere are pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with members of K-pod. The Orcas had first been sighted all the way down south at Admiralty Inlet this morning. However, when we went out o
Topics: nature
Resident & Transient Orcas! Sept 6th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 07 Sep 2009 at 6:43 AM
During our morning tour we encountered members of J & K-pod off San Juan Island. The 3-5 foot seas made for a very exhilarating ride for our passengers:) We also traveled to Race Rocks to see the large
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2009, T18 Group of Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer W
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 06 Sep 2009 at 5:30 PM
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2009, T18 Group of Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales, plus Sea Lions at Race Rocks
Topics: nature
Afternoon adventure with J & K-pod! Sept 5th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 06 Sep 2009 at 7:43 AM
Here are just a few images from this afternoons encounter with J & K-pod off San Juan Island. More info and images to follow.
Topics: nature
J & K-pod off Victoria in the morning! Sept 5, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 06 Sep 2009 at 7:40 AM
Here are just a few images from this mornings encounter with J & K-pod off Victoria waterfront. More info and images to come.
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, Afternoon Trip, J & K pods from Victoria Waterfront to Oak
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 05 Sep 2009 at 5:43 PM
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, Afternoon Trip, J & K pods from Victoria Waterfront to Oak Bay & Haro Strait
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, Morning Trip, J & K pods from out West near Race Rocks to
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 05 Sep 2009 at 5:30 PM
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, Morning Trip, J & K pods from out West near Race Rocks to the Victoria Waterfront
Topics: nature
Afternoon encounter with J & L-pod. Sept 4th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 04 Sep 2009 at 10:40 PM
Here are just a few images from this afternoons incredible encoutner with members of J & L-pod! I will be posting more images and information soon.
Topics: nature
Morning encounter with K & L-pod! Sept 4th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 04 Sep 2009 at 10:37 PM
Here are just a few images from this mornings wonderful encounter with members of K & L-pod! I will be posting more information and images shortly.
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, SEPT 4, 2009 J pod of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 04 Sep 2009 at 5:30 PM
FRIDAY, SEPT 4, 2009 J pod of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer WhalesWonderful day out on the water. Calm seas, clear skies & many Killer Whales
Topics: nature
More pictures from todays encounters with K & L-pod! Sept 3rd, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 04 Sep 2009 at 6:58 AM
Here are just a few more images from this afternoons encounter with members of K & L-pod. We saw well over 20 Orcas today:)I will be posting more images very soon.
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 Afternoon Trip, Members of L-pod & K-pod of Resident
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 03 Sep 2009 at 6:18 PM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 Afternoon Trip, Members of L-pod & K-pod of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer WhalesWhile this morning Five Star Whale Watching's passengers saw Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating)
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009, MORNING TRIP with Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) K
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 03 Sep 2009 at 5:53 PM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009, MORNING TRIP with Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales T 31, T 11 & T11ADo you know how lucky we at Five Star Whale Watching are to come to work each day not know
Topics: nature
WEDSNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009, More Transient Killer Whales!
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 02 Sep 2009 at 6:15 PM
Topics: nature
WEDS, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009 ALMOST 40 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 02 Sep 2009 at 5:51 PM
WEDS, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009 ALMOST 40 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES!!! "Almost 40....?" We are still identifying and counting the number of different Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales that Five Star
Topics: nature
Wonderful L-pod encounter to start September! Sept 1st, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 01 Sep 2009 at 5:18 PM
Here are pictures from today's encounters with L-pod taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
Pictures by Marine Naturalist Kaegan from Aug 30th.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 01 Sep 2009 at 9:47 AM
Here are some pictures provided by Marine Naturalist, Kaegan, from Sunday afternoons wonderful encounter with J27 "Blackberry" and J-pod.
Topics: nature
J, K & L-pod! Aug 31st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 31 Aug 2009 at 6:05 PM
Here are just a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays trips with J, K & L-pod.
Topics: nature
Comment on NOAA proposed regulations for 2010.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 31 Aug 2009 at 3:47 PM
Whilst we were watching J-pod, we noticed this fishing boat a few yards off-shore of Lime Kiln Lighthouse heading directly for at least 4-5 Orcas. This is further proof that we do not need NOAA to impl
Topics: nature
Afternoon adventure with J-pod! Aug 30th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 30 Aug 2009 at 11:45 PM
Thankfully by the time we headed out this afternoon the fog had all burned off so it was much easier for us to find J-pod near False Bay. Here are just a few images from the trip but I will be posting
Topics: nature
Morning encounter with J-pod! Aug 30th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 30 Aug 2009 at 11:42 PM
Here are just a few images from this mornings encounter with J-pod off Lime Kiln. It took us a while to find the Orcas due to thick fog in most areas but thanks to Jim Dale, our GM, who heard the Orcas
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2009, J Pod near Lime Kiln and Eagle Pt., San Juan Island
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 30 Aug 2009 at 6:22 PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2009, J Pod near Lime Kiln and Eagle Pt., San Juan Island
Topics: nature
Afternoon trip with Blackberry and J-pod! Aug 29th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 29 Aug 2009 at 10:47 PM
The pictures above and below show Seine Fishing boats on the West side of San Juan Island, taking out of the water the very Salmon the SRKW's rely on for food. You have to ask why NOAA are still allowi
Topics: nature
Am trip with Ruffles, Granny & J-pod! Aug 29th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 29 Aug 2009 at 10:13 PM
This morning we had a wonderful encounter with Sealions at Race Rocks and then J1 "Ruffles. J2 "Granny" and the rest of J-pod off Lime Kiln. I will be posting more information and images shortly.
Topics: nature
Saturday, AUGUST 29, 2009, Afternoon Trip, J pod of Resident Killer Whales
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 29 Aug 2009 at 6:43 PM
Saturday, AUGUST 29, 2009, Afternoon Trip, J pod of Resident Killer Whales at Eagle Point
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2009, Morning Trip, Race Rocks Marine Protected Area & J Pod
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 29 Aug 2009 at 6:27 PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2009, Morning Trip, Race Rocks Marine Protected Area & J Pod of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales in Haro StraitSo, they say, this is how it works: Every morning we make our dec
Topics: nature
Afternoon adventure with L-pod! Aug 28th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 28 Aug 2009 at 11:55 PM
Here are just a few images from this afternoons encounter with members of L-pod including L22 "Spirit" and her son L79 "Skana". I will be posting more images and information from todays wonderful encou
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009, Afternoon Cruise, Killer Whales spread over 4 square mil
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 28 Aug 2009 at 5:43 PM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009, Afternoon Cruise, Killer Whales spread over 4 square miles near Hein BankBy early afternoon K & L pods of Southern Resident Killer Whales were headed off-shore away from San Ju
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009, Morning Trip, K & L pods of Resident (Fish-Eating) Kille
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 28 Aug 2009 at 5:31 PM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009, Morning Trip, K & L pods of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales in Haro StraitWell, well, look who came back after heading North last night to the Fraser River near Vancouver!
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, Afternoon Trip, GRAY WHALE!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 27 Aug 2009 at 6:39 PM
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, Afternoon Trip, GRAY WHALE!!!As departure time approached, Five Star Whale Watching's crew had to make a decision: Was there still a good chance of getting far to the North to see
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2009 Morning Trip, J, K & L Pod head North! Probably Back To
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 27 Aug 2009 at 6:25 PM
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2009 Morning Trip, J, K & L Pod head North! Probably Back Tomorrow!Well, we wake up and what do we hear? J-pod vocalizing on the hydrophone array near Lime Kiln Lighthouse. When we
Topics: nature
WEDSNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009, Afternoon Trip...L-Pod of Resident (Fish-Eatinhg) Ki
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 26 Aug 2009 at 6:10 PM
WEDSNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009, Afternoon Trip...L-Pod of Resident (Fish-Eatinhg) Killer WhalesWe at Five Star Whale Watching tell people that the Killer Whales that we see in the afternoon are often diff
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009, Morning Trip, TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES & SEA LIONS!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 26 Aug 2009 at 5:58 PM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009, Morning Trip, TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES & SEA LIONS!!!On Five Star Whale Watching's "Fast Cat" we thought as we left Victoria Harbour that we would be headed East to San Juan
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas! Aug 25th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 25 Aug 2009 at 5:49 PM
aHere are images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from a very special day on the water with 12 Transient Orcas. It is rare to see so many Transient Orcas together as these apex preditors are more usually seen in sm
Topics: nature
Spectacular evening encounter with the Southern Residents! Aug 24th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 25 Aug 2009 at 6:58 AM
Here are just a few images from this evenings spectacular encounter with the Southern Residents! More to follow.
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas and Southern Resident Orcas! August 24th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 25 Aug 2009 at 6:54 AM
Here are just a few images from todays encounters with both Transient Orcas and Southern Resident Orcas.
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas in the afternoon! August 23rd, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 23 Aug 2009 at 11:23 PM
Here are just a few images of this afternoons encounters with 3 different groups of Transient Orcas! More images and info to follow.
Topics: nature
Graceful Gray Whale & Sealions in the morning! Aug 23rd, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 23 Aug 2009 at 11:05 PM
Here are just a few images from this mornings encounter with a graceful Gray Whale and Sealions at Race Rocks. More images & info to follow.
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2009, Afternoon Trip Transient Killer Whales Everywhere!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 23 Aug 2009 at 6:39 PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2009, Afternoon Trip Transient Killer Whales Everywhere!To paraphrase Yogi Berra's "No one goes there anymore...It's too crowded!", Five Star Whale Watching's crew was saying "We ha
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2009, Morning Trip with GRAY WHALE & SEA LIONS at Race Rocks M
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 23 Aug 2009 at 6:34 PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2009, Morning Trip with GRAY WHALE & SEA LIONS at Race Rocks Marine Protected Area
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with T63 "Chainsaw" and friends! Aug 22nd, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 23 Aug 2009 at 1:11 AM
Here are just a few images from this evenings encounter with T63 "Chainsaw" and friends. More information and images to come!
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas including T63! August 22nd, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 23 Aug 2009 at 1:08 AM
Here are just a few images from todays encounter with 5 Transient Orcas including T63 "Chainsaw". I will be posting more images and information shortly.
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2009, T-63 (Male) & T-64's (Females) Transient (Marine-Mamma
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 22 Aug 2009 at 5:36 PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2009, T-63 (Male) & T-64's (Females) Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer WhalesPassengers on Five Star Whale Watching's Afternoon Trip had some unexpected visitors to the water
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2009, Steller Sea Lions & Elephant Seals at Race Rocks Marin
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 22 Aug 2009 at 5:28 PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2009, Passengers on Five Star Whale Watching's Morning Trip saw Steller Sea Lions & Elephant Seals at Race Rocks Marine Protected Area.
Topics: nature
Wonderful evening encounter with the Southern Resident Orcas! Aug 21st, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 22 Aug 2009 at 12:17 AM
Here are just a few images from this evenings wonderful encounter with members of the Southern Resident Orcas. I will be posting more images and information shortly.
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2009, RESIDENT KILLER WHALES IN HARO STRAIT
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 21 Aug 2009 at 7:34 PM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2009, RESIDENT KILLER WHALES IN HARO STRAIT
Topics: nature
Humpback Whales and J-pod!! Aug 20th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 21 Aug 2009 at 12:17 PM
Here are more images from todays wonderful encounters with 2 Humpback Whales and J-pod during our tours today.During our morning tour we encountered 2 Humpback Whales off Victoria and J-pod near False
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2009, Wind Whipping Up The Sea & Whales Moving Quickly Up Ha
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 20 Aug 2009 at 5:32 PM
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2009, Wind Whipping Up The Sea & Whales Moving Quickly Up Haro StraitMany people considering whether to go on a whale watching trip to see Orcas don't realize how far Killer Whales
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2009, J-POD & FLAT CALM SEAS
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 19 Aug 2009 at 5:48 PM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2009, J-POD & FLAT CALM SEASVery lucky passengers out on Five Star Whale Watching's cruises today as sea conditions could not possibly get any better than on today's trips! And as
Topics: nature
L-pod, T14, Minke Whales and Humpback Whales!, Aug 18, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 18 Aug 2009 at 5:20 PM
Here are some amazing pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG, from today's sold out tours.Five for Five Star! We had Five species of Cetacean in the Salish Sea, this included Resident Orcas of L-pod, 3 Humpback W
Topics: nature
J, K and L-pod! Aug 17th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 17 Aug 2009 at 5:55 PM
cHere are images from todays tours by Ron Bates, MMRG.The Southern Resident Orcas returned to the Salish Sea this morning after spending yesterday off Vancouver! Our guests were thrilled during todays
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, AUG 16, 2009 Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales T-101, T-101A
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 16 Aug 2009 at 5:51 PM
SUNDAY, AUG 16, 2009 Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales T-101, T-101A, T-101C, T-102 & T-20 & T-21, plus 2 HumpbacksMorning Trip saw Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales T-101, T-
Topics: nature
Evening Superpod Encounter!! Aug 15th 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 16 Aug 2009 at 8:12 AM
Here are just a couple of images from this evenings magnificent evening Superpod (J, K & L-pod) encounter. I will be posting more images and information shortly.
Topics: nature
L-pod in the morning & afternoon! Aug 15th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 16 Aug 2009 at 8:10 AM
Here are a few images from this mornings & afternoons encounters with L-pod. I will be posting more images and information from these wonderful trips shortly.
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2009, L POD IN HARO STRAIT
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 15 Aug 2009 at 5:22 PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2009, J & L POD IN HARO STRAITAnother Wonderful Day Out In Haro Strait, East of Victoria.Calm Seas, Sunny Skies & Clear Pictures!
Topics: nature
More images of todays tours with L-pod! Aug14, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 15 Aug 2009 at 12:36 AM
nHere are more images from todays encounters with L-pod off San Juan Island. The Orcas were spread out over a wide area all day and actively foraging (hunting) for food.I will be posting more informati
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2009, L-pod of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 14 Aug 2009 at 6:51 PM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2009, L-pod of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer WhalesPassengers on Five Star Whale Watching's "Supercat" saw many of the 40 whales in L-pod. Words don't do today's trip Justice, better
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2009 ELUSIVE MINKE WHALE & T-14 TRANSIENT (MAMMAL-EATING) KI
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 14 Aug 2009 at 6:33 PM
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2009 ELUSIVE MINKE WHALE & T-14 TRANSIENT (MAMMAL-EATING) KILLER WHALEIn many guides to Marine Mammals of the Pacific Northwest you will read about "an exceptionally lucky traveler
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2009, Afternoon Trip, Elephant Seals, Steller Sea Lions and
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 12 Aug 2009 at 6:13 PM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2009, Afternoon Trip, Elephant Seals, Steller Sea Lions and Sooty Shearwaters!!!Five Star Whale Watching's Afternoon Trip was unable to find a Killer Whale for only the 3rd time i
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2009, Many Resident Killer Whales (Most of J, K & L) out We
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 12 Aug 2009 at 5:53 PM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2009, Morning Trip: Many Resident Killer Whales (Most of J, K & L) out West past Sooke and out to Point No PointJust as we were leaving the dock we got a report of "Killer Whales
Topics: nature
The Fate of Elephants Depends on Banning the Ivory Trade, and Leaving Them Some L
Barbara Julian on Wed 12 Aug 2009 at 12:10 PM
In Ivory's Ghosts: The White Gold of History and the Fate of Elephants (Atlantic Monthly Press, 200), John Walker takes us through the sickening history of the trade in elephant tusks. Ivory has been u
Topics: nature
L-pod all day! August 11th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 11 Aug 2009 at 5:37 PM
Here are pictures from today's tours with L-pod by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
Bears Will Always Be Bears, But Could Human Behaviour Improve?
Barbara Julian on Tue 11 Aug 2009 at 11:51 AM
In Smiling Bears, (Greystone Books, 2009), author Else Poulsen, a zoo and sanctuary employee and consultant, explores the emotional life of bears in a series of interesting anecdotes, concluding that y
Topics: nature
Superpod (J,K + L-pod) in the morning off Victoria!! Aug 10th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 10 Aug 2009 at 10:07 PM
Here are just a few images from this mornings stupendous encounter with Superpod (J, K & L-pod) just off Victoria Waterfront. We had wonderful passengers, an unforgettable encounter with the Southern R
Topics: nature
Humpback Whale and Pinnipeds! August 10th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 10 Aug 2009 at 9:56 PM
Here are just a few images from this mornings amazing trip! We had so much wildlife to see that I am making two separate blog entries, this one showing the Humpback Whale and four species of Pinnipeds
Topics: nature
Superpod and Humpback Whale!! August 10th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 10 Aug 2009 at 4:51 PM
Here are some images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays spectacular encounter with Superpod (J, K & L-pod) and a Humpback Whale, all within a few miles off Victoria! This was one of those very speci
Topics: nature
Excellent pictures by Naturalist Kyla Graham from Aug 8th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 10 Aug 2009 at 3:41 PM
These pictures were taken by Marine Biologist and Naturalist, Kyla Graham, from our encounters on August 8th. You can see more of Kyla's pictures by visiting her blog athttp://maiacetus.blogspot.com/ w
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2009, Afternoon Trip, J, K & L pods in South Haro Strait
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 09 Aug 2009 at 6:22 PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2009, Afternoon Trip, J, K & L pods in South Haro StraitFantastic Afternoon!First, we encountered 10 to 15 Killer Whales (mostly from J pod, but with some K's & L's mixed in) swimming
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2009, Morning Trip, J & K pod of Southern Resident (Fish-Eating
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 09 Aug 2009 at 6:12 PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2009, Morning Trip, J & K pod of Southern Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales in Heavy Mist in Haro StraitPassengers on Five Star Whale Watching's "Supercat" were treated to a Mornin
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with K & L-pod! Aug 8th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 09 Aug 2009 at 4:48 PM
Here are just a few images from this evenings encounter with K & L-pod. I will be posting more information and images shortly.
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas plus K & L-pod in the morning! Aug 8th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 09 Aug 2009 at 3:12 PM
This morning we had only been traveling for about 15 minutes when we encountered a groups of Transient Orcas (marine mammal eaters), the T100's, near Trial Island! The Transients were moving through th
Topics: nature
Transient and Resident Orcas! Aug 8th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 08 Aug 2009 at 3:47 PM
Here are pictures from todays encounter with both Transient Orcas and Resident Orcas (K & L-pod) taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
Strong Bones and a Glossy Coat: making the economy a healthy animal
Barbara Julian on Sat 08 Aug 2009 at 1:17 PM
Mulier sapiens (human being) is the animal who doesn't know what to do. So how "sapiens" (wise) could that be? We are too smart for our own good. That is where evolution has taken us: to the subject/ob
Topics: nature
Evening encounter with several members of L-pod! Aug 7th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 08 Aug 2009 at 12:11 AM
Here are just a few images from this evenings encounter with several members of L-pod including L73 "Flash", his mother L5 "Tanya", her other son L74 "Saanich" and L87 " Onyx". I will be posting more i
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2009, FAR & AWAY IN THE A.M. TO PENDER ISLAND TO SEE J, K & L p
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 07 Aug 2009 at 6:11 PM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2009, FAR & AWAY IN THE A.M. TO PENDER ISLAND TO SEE J, K & L pods, then P.M. to see some L-pod & Humpback Whales!Well, we hope that our passengers on the "Five Star Supercat" enjoyed
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2009 J's & K's in the Morning, L's in the Afternoon!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 06 Aug 2009 at 5:06 PM
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2009 J's & K's in the Morning, L's in the Afternoon!!!Passengers on Five Star Whale Watching's cruises today enjoy a virtual pot pourri of whales. In the Morning we headed East to t
Topics: nature
Wednesday, August 5, 2009, L-pod of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 06 Aug 2009 at 4:48 PM
Wednesday, August 5, 2009, Morning Trip, L-pod of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer WhalesOn our Morning Trip, Five Star Whale Watching's "Five Star Supercat" made a long trip out West past Race Rocks Mari
Topics: nature
Minke Whale, Transient Orcas and Resident Orcas ! Aug 4th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 04 Aug 2009 at 5:27 PM
This morning we saw a Minke Whale and Transient Orcas, T100's, T124's.In the afternoon we caught up with J-pod who had traveled out west in the morning but turned around and came back towards Victoria
Topics: nature
Do Pet the Poultry (Keeping Backyard Chickens)
Barbara Julian on Tue 04 Aug 2009 at 5:01 PM
Re. an interesting "lifestyle" article in the New York Times -- "Keeping their eggs in their backyard nests" (August 4th, 2009):Backyard poultry keeping has indeed taken off all over North America. The
Topics: nature
L-pod all day! August 3rd, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 03 Aug 2009 at 5:35 PM
Today on both our sold out tours we had encounters with L-pod who were traveling west all day! Here are pictures taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from another memorable day on the water. So far August has got
Topics: nature
Humpback Whale! Aug 2nd, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 03 Aug 2009 at 5:32 PM
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2009 J's & K's in the Morning, Humpback Midday and L-pod in the
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 02 Aug 2009 at 6:32 PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2009 J's & K's in the Morning, Humpback Midday and L-pod in the Afternoon. Killer Whales, Humpbacks, and more Killer Whales
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2009, This Is Our 1,000th Posting!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 02 Aug 2009 at 4:34 PM
J-30 Male Killer Whale named "Riptide" See the power of this Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whale as it surges up and through the water.Lime Kiln Park on San Juan Island has been designated a "Whale Wat
Topics: nature
Breathtaking evening encounter with J & K-pod! Aug 1st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 02 Aug 2009 at 10:54 AM
This evening we had a breathtaking encounter with both J & K-pod off San Juan Island!I will be posting more information and images from this tour shortly.
Topics: nature
Pm trip with members of L-pod! Aug 1st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 02 Aug 2009 at 10:52 AM
This afternoon we encountered several members of L-pod including L85, near Lime Kiln Lighthouse. We had a wonderful encounter, especially as we were the only boat on scene:)I will be posting images and
Topics: nature
Southern Residents and T14 in the morning! Aug 1st, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 02 Aug 2009 at 10:50 AM
This morning we had encounters with both the Southern Residents (J,K & L-pod) plus a lone Transient Orca T14 "Pender".I will be posting images and information from this tour shortly.
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, JULY 31, J, K & L of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 01 Aug 2009 at 4:38 PM
FRIDAY, JULY 31, J, K & L of Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales
Topics: nature
Evening Superpod Encounter!! July 31st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 01 Aug 2009 at 8:07 AM
eWe had a spectacular evening Superpod (J, K & L-pod) encounter this evening! I will be posting more information and pictures shortly.
Topics: nature
Superpod (J,K + L-pod) in the morning!! July 31st.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 01 Aug 2009 at 8:04 AM
Here are just a few images from this mornings encounter with all of J, K & L-pod forming a Superpod:) What a way to end the month of July! I will be posting more information and pictures shortly.
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009, J, K & L-pods of Southern Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 30 Jul 2009 at 5:30 PM
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009, J, K & L-pods of Southern Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales head away from Victoria, B.C. and then turn around!This morning Five Star Whale Watching faced a dilemma: On its
Topics: nature
Unforgettable Summers Day on the water! July 29th, 09.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 30 Jul 2009 at 4:30 PM
Here are some more images from a unforgettable summers day on the Salish Sea! In the morning we had a surprise visit from T20 & T21 just off the Victoria Waterfront:) We also saw a Bald Eagle and sever
Topics: nature
Wednesday, July 29, 2009, L-pod near Turn Point, Haro Strait
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 29 Jul 2009 at 5:43 PM
Wednesday, July 29, 2009, L-pod near Turn Point, Haro StraitToday passengers on Five Star Whale Watching's afternoon trip were treated to a classic example of how quickly our wildlife viewing can chang
Topics: nature
Lpod in the morning and then Superpod and Minke Whales! July 28th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 28 Jul 2009 at 5:50 PM
The images above from todays tours were taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.During our mornings tour we encountered two seperate groups of L-pod (SRKW) in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. We also encountered a very la
Topics: nature
More impressive pictures from todays encounters! July 27th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 28 Jul 2009 at 5:23 PM
Here are some more impressive pictures from todays encounters taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
Wildlife extravaganza! July 27th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 27 Jul 2009 at 9:10 PM
Although we had a stunning encounter with L-pod today that was not the only wildlife we encountered! As the pictures above clearly show, we had a wildlife extravaganza today with Harbor Seals & pups, B
Topics: nature
Incredible Day!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 27 Jul 2009 at 8:55 PM
With love from OrcaGirl (be sure to click the HD on the controller bar and watch in full screen). Stay tuned, there's more coming... =)
Topics: nature
Stunning encounter with L-pod! July 27th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 27 Jul 2009 at 8:48 PM
Here are just a few images from todays stunning encounter with L-pod! I will be posting more images and information shortly.
Topics: nature
Let's Get Rid of Multi-culturalism in Canada
Barbara Julian on Mon 27 Jul 2009 at 11:37 AM
Sometimes the issue is "honour killing," sometimes the suppression of free speech for the sake of "cultural sensitivities," sometimes it's gay-bashing, sometimes it's native people wanting to start up
Topics: nature
More pictures from todays encounters with L-pod! July 26th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 26 Jul 2009 at 10:45 PM
After several days absence, L-pod returned to the Salish Sea today and swam right past Victoria:) We headed out in the afternoon and caught up with L-pod near Secretary and could see the pod was spread
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, July 26, 2009, J-pod in the Morning, L-pod in the Afternoon...Are We Luck
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 26 Jul 2009 at 6:18 PM
SUNDAY, July 26, 2009, J-pod in the Morning, L-pod in the Afternoon...Are We Lucky or What?!Sometimes we at Five Star Whale Watching are overwhelmed by the abundance of marine life that we are blessed
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2009 Five Star Whale Watching's Trips Daytime Trips with Minke
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 26 Jul 2009 at 6:04 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2009 Five Star Whale Watching's Trips Daytime Trips with Minke Whale, Bald Eagle & J-pod
Topics: nature
Lightning storm, double rainbow and amazing sunset images! July 25th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 26 Jul 2009 at 12:27 PM
Here are just a very small selection of images from an amazing evening on the water with a breathtaking lightning storm, double rainbow and incredible sunset! I will be posting more images shortly.
Topics: nature
Amazing July 25th evening trip with J-pod!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 26 Jul 2009 at 12:25 PM
Here are just a few images from this evenings wonderful encounter with members of J-pod. I will be posting more images from this tour shortly and a post will be made from the tours earlier in the day a
Topics: nature
Spectacular evening encounter with J-pod! July 24th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 25 Jul 2009 at 1:36 PM
Here are images from this evenings spectacular encounter with J-pod off San Juan Island! The seas were calm, the sun was out and J-pod was in a very playful mood, what more could you ask for:)
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2009, J-POD near Colville Island
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 24 Jul 2009 at 6:11 PM
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2009, J-POD near Colville IslandA long trip East to Colville Island and up into Rosario Strait rewarded Five Star Whale Watching's passengers with impressive views of J-pod of Southern
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2009, Harbour Seals & Bullwhip Kelp at Chain Islets
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 24 Jul 2009 at 5:57 PM
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2009, Harbour Seals & Bullwhip Kelp at Chain IsletsThe unassuming and often under-appreciated Harbour Seal can sometimes provide some remarkable photo opportunities!And the textures an
Topics: nature
Jpod and Kpod all day! July 23rd, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 24 Jul 2009 at 4:02 PM
Here are some more images from todays incredible encounters with J & K-pod! What a wonderful adventure we had today with members of the Southern Resident Orcas, Harbor Seals and Pups, Seagull Chicks an
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009, J-pod & K-pod near San Juan Island
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 23 Jul 2009 at 5:18 PM
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009, J-pod & K-pod near San Juan IslandSpectacular sunshine and many whales made this a very special day on the water for the passengers on Five Star Whale Watching's "Supercat".In
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2009, AFTERNOON TRIP, ALMOST LIKE A DIFFERENT DAY WITH K-POD
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 23 Jul 2009 at 9:30 AM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2009, AFTERNOON TRIP, ALMOST LIKE A DIFFERENT DAY WITH K-PODAs the day progressed the fog lifted, the Sun began to beat down and what had been a cool, misty morning turned into what
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2009 MORNING TRIP, K-POD of RESIDENT (FISH-EATING) KILLER WHA
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 23 Jul 2009 at 9:02 AM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2009 MORNING TRIP, K-POD of RESIDENT (FISH-EATING) KILLER WHALES IN THE MISTPassengers with Five Star Whale Watching had a first-hand example of just how unpredictable the weather c
Topics: nature
A Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare
Barbara Julian on Wed 22 Jul 2009 at 11:01 AM
This (from WSPA, the World Society for the Protection of Animals) is the proposed language for an international Declaration on Animal Welfare through the United Nations. Canadians can go here to ask th
Topics: nature
K-pod and members of L-pod! July 21st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 21 Jul 2009 at 5:52 PM
Today we had another memorable encounter with K-pod, this time with a few members of L-pod! Here are pictures from todays sold out tours by Ron Bates, MMRG.It was another perfect summers day!
Topics: nature
Cappuccino & K-pod! July 21st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 21 Jul 2009 at 10:16 AM
K21 "Cappuccino"If you look closely at the picture above you will see this member of K-pod has a Salmon in its mouth!Today our boats were fortunate to spend time with K21 "Cappuccino" and the rest of K
Topics: nature
Wonderful encounter with J-pod! July 19th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 19 Jul 2009 at 10:39 PM
After high winds of the previous day we were hoping for much calmer seas today and that is what we got along with another beautiful sunny day. As if that was not reason enough to cheer we also encounte
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009, SUMMER AT ITS FINEST
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 19 Jul 2009 at 5:35 PM
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009, SUMMER AT ITS FINEST
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, JULY 18, SPECTRUM OF NATURE
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 19 Jul 2009 at 5:18 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 18, SPECTRUM OF NATURE
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2009 CRUEL, TANTALIZING, MAGNIFICENT & SUDDENLY HEART-BREAKING
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 19 Jul 2009 at 4:39 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2009 CRUEL, TANTALIZING, MAGNIFICENT & SUDDENLY HEART-BREAKING NATUREWe at Five Star Whale Watching take so much pride in what we do, and want so much to show the almost unbearable b
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2009 More LARGE HUMPBACK PHOTOS
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 19 Jul 2009 at 4:27 PM
JULY 17, 2009 More LARGE HUMPBACK PHOTOS
Topics: nature
Large Humpback Whale! July 17th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 18 Jul 2009 at 2:44 PM
This evening we set out in confused seas and headed south across the Strait of Jun De Fuca. A short while after leaving the harbour we were on scene with a very large Humpback Whale. We observed a numb
Topics: nature
Koala: the "Quaint Creature"
Barbara Julian on Sat 18 Jul 2009 at 10:04 AM
Of all creatures the koala may be easiest to love at first sight, which is why its image has been used to sell hundreds of products, including Quantas Airlines and the whole country of Australia. On cl
Topics: nature
The Animals of Iris Murdoch: an anniversary salute
Barbara Julian on Thu 16 Jul 2009 at 6:23 PM
It is not only through books of nonfiction that the nature of animals can be researched, studied and discovered, but also sometimes even more revealingly in fiction. Few if any novelists have more comp
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2009 Herring, Sea Lion & Minke Whales
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 16 Jul 2009 at 6:22 PM
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2009 Herring, Sea Lion & Minke WhalesIt is not surprising that where you find large schools of Pacific Herring you often find Marine Mammals feeding. Today we were treated to a huge
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas! July 15th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 15 Jul 2009 at 5:56 PM
Here are images from todays encounters with the Southern Resident Orcas of J, K & L-pod! All images were taken by Ron Bates. There was thick fog across the straits in the morning but this had mostly bu
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas and Minke Whales! July 14th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 14 Jul 2009 at 5:34 PM
Here are a few images taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with the Resident Orcas and Minke Whales.
Topics: nature
K and members of Lpod! July 13th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 13 Jul 2009 at 5:27 PM
Here are some excellent images from todays encounters with Kpod and members of Lpod by Ron Bates, MMRG. Ron had first been given reports early in the morning that Orcas had been sighted near Becher Bay
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2009, PERFECT DAY ON THE WATER WITH J-pod, L-pod, WARM AIR & C
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 12 Jul 2009 at 4:35 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2009, PERFECT DAY ON THE WATER WITH J-pod, L-pod, WARM AIR & CALM WATERSAll Winter we hope for and look forward to days like this! And then it happens and it is all everything we had
Topics: nature
Wonderful evening encounter with Resident Orcas! July 11th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 12 Jul 2009 at 3:57 PM
Here are just a few images from this evenings encounter with the SRKW's! I will be posting more images and information shortly.
Topics: nature
Spectaculor Evening sky and cloud formations! July 11th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 12 Jul 2009 at 3:24 PM
At Five Star Whale Watching we are all very passionate about the amazing wildlife we encounter every day during out excursions. However, we are equally passionate about the environment we are blessed t
Topics: nature
Harbor Seal in Victoria Harbor! July 11th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 12 Jul 2009 at 2:49 PM
Here are a few pictures of a large Harbor Seal I encountered in Victoria Harbor. The size of this Seal would indicate that it may be pregnant, either that or it has been pigging out at Barb's Fish and
Topics: nature
Evening Encounter with Lpod! July 10th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 11 Jul 2009 at 2:17 PM
Although we did not leave the dock until almost 8pm tonight we were determined to find our passengers some Orcas to view and we succeeded with a wonderful evening encounter with Lpod:) The Orcas were i
Topics: nature
The Blackness of Crows
Barbara Julian on Sat 11 Jul 2009 at 11:48 AM
If it were not for their colour we would love crows, the clever, communicating parrots of the north. We connect their colour with the devil, with things evil and sinister, and their habits (cacheing, p
Topics: nature
J, K's & Lpod! July 10th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 10 Jul 2009 at 5:12 PM
Here are images from todays encounter with J, K & Lpod taken by Ron Bates, MMRG. Ron first recieved reports around 10am this morning that Orcas had been sighted just East of Race Rocks and they were so
Topics: nature
Multiple Minke Whales! July 9th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 10 Jul 2009 at 12:05 PM
Today we had multiple Minke Whales at Hein Bank. With calm seas and the return of sunny skies, it was a perfect day to be on the water:)
Topics: nature
Wednesday, July 8, 2009, Spending Time With "The Big Boys"
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 08 Jul 2009 at 6:09 PM
Wednesday, July 8, 2009, Spending Time With "The Big Boys"This afternoon we got out onto calm waters and we able to see two of the largest Orcas in L-pod: These two big males, L-41 and L-79, made sever
Topics: nature
Smart but Casual: the Evolution of Species
Barbara Julian on Wed 08 Jul 2009 at 10:48 AM
"Knowing the sequence of every gene in the body or the connections of every neurone in the brain would leave us with very little sense of how the animal worked. By degrees, the best of the molecular bi
Topics: nature
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2009, NEITHER RAIN, NOR FOG NOR DARK OF NIGHT SHALL KEEP US FROM
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 07 Jul 2009 at 6:34 PM
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2009, NEITHER RAIN, NOR FOG NOR DARK OF NIGHT SHALL KEEP US FROM OUR APPOINTED ROUNDSNear Winter-like temperatures, intermittent showers and a gloam of dark clouds could not dampen our
Topics: nature
Super Pod!! July 6th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 06 Jul 2009 at 5:33 PM
Here are some wonderful pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounter with the Southern Resident Orcas! This afternoon our vessel headed out to near Sheringham to watch a SuperPod (J, K, & L Pod).
Topics: nature
More pictures from todays encounters with Orcas and Minke Whales! July 5th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 05 Jul 2009 at 9:07 PM
Here are some more images from todays encounters with members of Lpod, Minke Whales and Jpod. I will be posting more information and images shortly.
Topics: nature
July 4th evening trip with Lpod! July 5th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 05 Jul 2009 at 8:44 PM
Here are a few images from this evenings encounter with members of Lpod! I will be posting more information and images shortly.
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, July 5, 2009, L-pod, Minkes & J-pod!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 05 Jul 2009 at 7:34 PM
SUNDAY, July 5, 2009, L-pod, Minkes & J-pod!!!What a calm day out on the water, with plenty of sunshine and the company of whales. We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to take passenger out and
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, JULY 4th, 2009, Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales & Minkes!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 05 Jul 2009 at 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 4th, 2009, Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales & Minkes!
Topics: nature
Happy 4th of July!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 04 Jul 2009 at 8:33 AM
Five Star Whale Watching would like to wish everyone a safe and happy American Independence Day!
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2009 L-pod & Minke Whales!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 03 Jul 2009 at 5:52 PM
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2009 L-pod & Minke Whales!!! Flat calm seas, warm air and sightings of two different species of Cetacea...awesome.
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009 Afternoon Trip Photos Courtesy of Kyla Graham
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 03 Jul 2009 at 5:46 PM
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009 Afternoon Trip Photos Courtesy of Kyla Graham, Marine Naturalist, Researcgher and self-confessed "Whale Nerd". See Kyla's BLOG at http://www.maiacetus.blogspot.com
Topics: nature
Doing a Small Good Thing For Earth
Barbara Julian on Fri 03 Jul 2009 at 5:39 PM
"Do small good things and harm no one," said the late novelist Iris Murdoch (in her Booker-winning novel The Sea, The Sea). Practise the religion of kindness, and extend compassion to all sentient bein
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009 Morning Trip Photos Courtesy of Kyla Graham
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 03 Jul 2009 at 5:38 PM
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009 Photos Courtesy of Kyla Graham, Marine Naturalist, Researcher and self-confessed "Whale Nerd".See Kyla's BLOG at http://www.maiacetus.blogspot.com
Topics: nature
Our Inhumane Society
Barbara Julian on Fri 03 Jul 2009 at 3:57 PM
Apparently most people suffer arthritis as they age - 200 or more forms of joint pain and inflammation in various parts of the body. It can be torture, it can be disabling, and it is often invisible ev
Topics: nature
WEDSNESDAY, JULY 1, 2009, LONG AFTERNOON JOURNEY TO SEE J-POD @ SATURNA ISLAND
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 01 Jul 2009 at 6:09 PM
MT. BAKER, 10,400 feet tall or 3,300m Killer Whale in the foreground, Harbour Seals aka "Rock Sausages", "Orca d'Ouevres" or "Beach Maggots" in the background. CLICK on the picture above and you will s
Topics: nature
J1 and JPod celebrate Canada Day:) July 1, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 01 Jul 2009 at 3:36 PM
Here are just a few images from this mornings breathtaking encounter with Jpod! More images and information will be posted shortly.
Topics: nature
Happy Canada Day! July 1st 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 01 Jul 2009 at 7:03 AM
Five Star Whale Watching would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Canada Day!
Topics: nature
Jpod and Minke Whales! June 30th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 30 Jun 2009 at 5:43 PM
Here are pictures by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with Jpod Resident Orcas and Minke Whales.It was another great day on the water and a wonderful end to Orca Month!
Topics: nature
Clipper Navigation celebrates 23 years! June 29, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 30 Jun 2009 at 5:34 PM
Congratulations to Clipper Navigation who are celebrating their 23rd anniversary today. We hope you have many more years of safe crossings between Seattle and Victoria.
Topics: nature
Southern Resident Orcas and Minke Whales! June 29, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 30 Jun 2009 at 11:00 AM
What a wonderful day to be on the Salish Sea with calm seas, blue skies and lots of wildlife, including the Southern Resident Orcas and a number of Minke Whales.Please enjoy the pictures above taken by
Topics: nature
Grieg Seafood Spreads Nordic Gloom
Barbara Julian on Tue 30 Jun 2009 at 10:25 AM
Over the bright sparkling eco-touristy coves and shores of the BC and Vancouver Island coast, something dark and gloomy broods. Something nordic and threatening shadows the wilderness: ugly factory far
Topics: nature
Resident Orcas and Minke Whales!! June 28th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 29 Jun 2009 at 6:53 AM
Here are a few more images from todays spectaculor encounters with the Southern Resident Orcas and at least four Minke Whales! I will be posting more images and information shortly.
Topics: nature
Saturday evening with Jpod! June 27th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 29 Jun 2009 at 6:49 AM
Here are just a few images from this evening wonderful encounter with J1 & Jpod. I will be posting more images and information shortly.
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2009 AN OCEAN FULL OF WHALES!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 28 Jun 2009 at 6:50 PM
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2009 AN OCEAN FULL OF WHALES!Sometimes even our imagination doresn't prepare us for what can happen out on the water...Killer Whales (Orcas) moving from one location to another in an u
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2009 RESIDENT KILLER WHALES & SEVERAL MINKE WHALES!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 28 Jun 2009 at 6:45 PM
SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2009 RESIDENT KILLER WHALES & SEVERAL MINKE WHALES!!
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, Evening Trip, K -pod of Resident Killer Whales
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 28 Jun 2009 at 6:39 PM
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, Evening Trip, K -pod of Resident Killer WhalesHere are some pictures, with thanks to Photos by Kyla Graham, Official Whale Nerd http://www.maiacetus.blogspot.com/)
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2009, Afternoon Trip, K-pod of Resident Killer Whales, More Mink
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 26 Jun 2009 at 7:28 PM
Harbour Seal Floating on a Raft of Kelp! Minke Whale surging as it feeds on through Capelin or Herring fryGulls and Rhinoceros Auklets hovering above Minke Whale looking for left-overs K40, known as "R
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2009, Morning Trip MINKE WHALES AT HEIN BANK & K-POD OF ORCAS
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 26 Jun 2009 at 6:14 PM
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2009, Morning Trip MINKE WHALES AT HEIN BANK & K-POD OF ORCASOn Friday morning we headed out on calm seas with no reports of whales, knowing only that on Thursday night J-pod and K-pod
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009 J-pod & K-pod Return
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 26 Jun 2009 at 6:08 PM
With a telephoto lens you can see the Salmon in the mouth of this K-pod whale as she swims away.THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009 J-pod & K-pod Return
Topics: nature
Weds, June 24, 2009 J-pod of Southern Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 26 Jun 2009 at 6:03 PM
Weds, June 24, 2009 J-pod of Southern Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales
Topics: nature
Michael Jackson's "Bubbles", and Bubble-headed Celeb Culture
Barbara Julian on Fri 26 Jun 2009 at 11:36 AM
Now that he has passed away from our presence, although not our attention, all things Michael Jackson are filling the media -- images, tributes, commentary rising like bubbles floating off as fast as t
Topics: nature
Power Animal: the Earthworm
Barbara Julian on Thu 25 Jun 2009 at 1:15 PM
"Pith" is the cellular tissue comprising the stems of plants and of spinal cords, the essential place where lives the force or energy of plants and animals. Steve Jones is a master of the pithy sentenc
Topics: nature
J & K Pod!! June 23rd, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 24 Jun 2009 at 1:40 PM
A full boat of delighted passengers:)Young couple relaxes whilst contemplating the amazing trip with J & Kpod!Early this morning Ron Bates, MMRG, received reports that Orcas had been sighted off Willia
Topics: nature
LPod in the morning and J & K pod in the afternoon:) June 22nd, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 22 Jun 2009 at 10:51 PM
Here are just a few images from todays encounters with Lpod, JPod & KPod, plus a Yellow Bellied Marmot;) I will be posting more images and information shortly!
Topics: nature
More pictures from this afternoons Superpod trip!! June 21st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 22 Jun 2009 at 11:48 AM
Here are more pictures from yesterday's amazing Superpod trip taken by Ron Bates, MMRG.
Topics: nature
More pictures from the AM trip, June 21st 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 22 Jun 2009 at 11:27 AM
The images above from the morning tour were taken by Ron Bates, MMRG. Our vessel Fastcat first found at least 3 and possibly as many as five Minke Whales at Hein Bank and then Ron Bates received report
Topics: nature
1st Superpod of the Summer on the Solstice!! June 21st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 21 Jun 2009 at 10:49 PM
For the first time this summer we had all three pods in the same area and as they came together we witnessed the rare and breathtaking greeting ceremony as J, K & Lpod gathered together near Pender Isl
Topics: nature
1st Superpod of the Summer on the Solstice!! June 21st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 21 Jun 2009 at 10:49 PM
For the first time this summer we had all three pods in the same area and as they came together we witnessed the rare and breathtaking greeting ceremony as J, K Lpod gathered together near Pender Isla
Topics: nature
Incredible morning trip with the L12's & L22's and then Jpod! June 21, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 21 Jun 2009 at 10:01 PM
We headed over to the west side of San Juan Island in Supercat after Ron Bates, MMRG received reports that members of Lpod had been sighted near False Bay. Meanwhile Ron and our vessel Fastcat headed f
Topics: nature
Incredible morning trip with the L12's & L22's and then Jpod! June 21, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 21 Jun 2009 at 10:01 PM
We headed over to the west side of San Juan Island in Supercat after Ron Bates, MMRG received reports that members of Lpod had been sighted near False Bay. Meanwhile Ron and our vessel Fastcat headed f
Topics: nature
Jpod in the morning and Transient Orcas in the afternoon & Evening! June 20th, 20
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 21 Jun 2009 at 9:38 PM
The picture above and the four pictures below are of the T49'sThe picture above and the three below are of Jpod.We spent the morning with Jpod who were moving rapidly North on the West side of San Juan
Topics: nature
Whispers and Howls, Elephants and Apes
Barbara Julian on Sun 21 Jun 2009 at 2:31 PM
Maybe it's because the world has become loud, what with the press of humanity, machinery, media and the rest, but "whisperer" books have become almost a genre in themselves. There was for instance hors
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2009, L-12 Sub-pod & J-pod in the area!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 19 Jun 2009 at 8:02 PM
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2009, L-12 Sub-pod & J-pod in the area!!Classic June weather and classic June sightings! Passengers on "Five Star Supercat" were required to pound through some surging tides, but we we
Topics: nature
From Silent Spring to Fruitless Fall?
Barbara Julian on Fri 19 Jun 2009 at 4:50 PM
Rachel Carson sparked off the environmental movement for most people, by raising the spectre of spring without birdsong. Her 1960s title Silent Spring examined the effect of agricultural pesticides on
Topics: nature
Sound Watch Boater Education Program.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 18 Jun 2009 at 11:14 PM
http://www.whalemuseum.org/programs/soundwatch/soundwatch.htmlEvery summer the Sound Watch team is on the water and visiting boats in local harbor, educating boaters on good practices around Orcas and
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2009, J-POD OF SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES RETURN!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 18 Jun 2009 at 5:48 PM
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2009, J-POD OF SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES RETURN!!!After "going for a three week walkabout", J-pod returned to the waters West of Victoria. While they were away we have had wond
Topics: nature
Afternoon encounter with the L12's & L22's! June 17th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 18 Jun 2009 at 4:57 PM
Here are just a few images from this afternoon's encounter with members of Lpod. More images and details to follow!
Topics: nature
Morning encounter with L12's and L22's! June 17th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 18 Jun 2009 at 4:52 PM
Here are just a few images from this mornings encounter with the L12's and L22's, 2 sub pods of L Pod.
Topics: nature
MV Coho Celebrates 50th Anniversary! June 17th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 18 Jun 2009 at 4:33 PM
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009, L-12 Sub Pod of SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES & m.v.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 17 Jun 2009 at 6:25 PM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009, L-12 Sub Pod of SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES & m.v. "Coho" Ferry's 50th Anniversary!!
Topics: nature
Humpback Whales found by Five Star Crew in the morning and members of Lpod in the
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 16 Jun 2009 at 8:38 PM
We set off this morning with a boat full of eager and excited passengers hoping to find one of the various species of Cetacean that can be viewed near Victoria. Our vessel, Fastcat, decided to head dir
Topics: nature
Orcas reported near Victoria! June 15th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 15 Jun 2009 at 10:42 AM
We have already had confirmed reports that 3 Transient Orcas (Marine Mammal eating Orcas) have been sighted near Victoria and our vessel Supercat is already on scene.More details and pictures will be p
Topics: nature
Minke Whales and Humpback Whale! June 14th,2009
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 15 Jun 2009 at 10:10 AM
Despite a brisk wind we had another incredible day on the water today with at least three Minke Whales and a Humpback Whale in the area. Apart from these magnificent Baleen Whales we also saw Porpoise,
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2009, MINKE WHALE
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 13 Jun 2009 at 5:47 PM
SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2009, MINKE WHALE"There is a way that nature speaks, that the ocean speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story."Linda Hoga
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2009, UNEXPECTED HUMPBACK SIGHTING!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 13 Jun 2009 at 12:17 PM
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2009, UNEXPECTED HUMPBACK SIGHTING!!!It is very unusual for us to see a Humpback Whale off the Victoria waterfront at this time of year. Most are already up in Alaska or Northern B.C.
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2009 L-12 sub-pod of Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 13 Jun 2009 at 9:28 AM
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2009 L-12 sub-pod of Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus Orca)"Oh, what a day!". That's what we said when we awoke to beautiful weather. Little did we know that our day was only
Topics: nature
Five Star Whale Watching has found the L12's! June 11th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 11 Jun 2009 at 11:56 AM
We have just had confirmed reports that one of our vessels has sighted the L12's (part of Lpod) off the West Coast of San Juan Island! More details to follow.
Topics: nature
Members of Lpod and Lpod, plus Transient Orcas! June 10th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 10 Jun 2009 at 11:32 PM
After several days of traveling the Salish Sea on there own, today K20 and K38 finally had some company as they met up with the L12's including L12, L41 and L77!There were also reports of two Transient
Topics: nature
Multiple Minke Whales! June 9th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 09 Jun 2009 at 5:20 PM
Today we had multiple Minke Whales during our afternoon tour. It was another beautiful day on the water and our guests enjoyed the adventure.
Topics: nature
Three New Bird Books of Note
Barbara Julian on Tue 09 Jun 2009 at 10:19 AM
Keeping track of all the bird books on offer can be like numbering a flock of starlings in the sky, but here are three which seem to stand out. The Internet is replacing many aspects of the book trade,
Topics: nature
Happy Ocean Day! June 8th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 09 Jun 2009 at 7:56 AM
Today is International Ocean Day and we celebrated at Five Star with an encounter with K20 "Spok" and her calf K38. These two Orcas have been seen traveling alone over the last few days, which is highl
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas and Minke Whales! June 7, 2009,
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 07 Jun 2009 at 8:39 PM
Here are pictures taken by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with Transient Orcas and Minkes Whales.
Topics: nature
Members of KPod in the morning and Minke Whales in the afternoon and evening! Jun
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 07 Jun 2009 at 5:08 PM
This morning Ron Bates, MMRG, received reports that members of KPod had been sighted and vocalizations heard on the Hydraphone at Lime Kiln lighthouse. When our vessel arrived on scene they found two O
Topics: nature
Five Star Whale Watching proud to support "The 5th annual Variety Boat for Hope".
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 07 Jun 2009 at 2:28 PM
Five Star Whale Watching took part in today's "5th annual Variety Boat for Hope" celebration in Victoria inner Harbour. Our crew volunteered to take these wonderful children on a Pirate scavenge hunt w
Topics: nature
Minke Whales, Bald Eagles and stunning sunset! June 5th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 07 Jun 2009 at 1:58 PM
Today we encountered Minke Whales near Salmon Bank, despite choppy waters. We also saw a number of Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals and Bald Eagles. The day was concluded by a stunning sunset!
Topics: nature
Oil Tanker Hits Humpback Whale, as BC Conservationists Call For Ban on Oil Export
Barbara Julian on Sun 07 Jun 2009 at 9:28 AM
It's World Ocean Day, actually events and articles to mark it have been plentiful all week, and sadly, in the Northwest Pacific it was celebrated by an oil tanker ramming another whale.World Ocean Day
Topics: nature
Minke Whales on anther record breaking day. June 4th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 05 Jun 2009 at 4:10 PM
Today we enjoyed another record breaking day on the water with temperatures in the 30's again. The calm seas and hot weather made for the perfect conditions on the water and we were fortunate enough to
Topics: nature
Sports Hunt BC - Why Jane Goodall, Deepak Chopra and David Suzuki Are Disgusted
Barbara Julian on Fri 05 Jun 2009 at 12:29 PM
"Lots and lots of stunning little things happen in nature everywhere and anytime," says wolf researcher Gudrun Pflueger, in an understatement as poetically charming as Robert Louis Stevenson's immortal
Topics: nature
Time for Denmark to Establish "New Constitution Day"
Barbara Julian on Fri 05 Jun 2009 at 11:10 AM
Is there "something rotten in the state of Denmark" on this day of June 5th, which is Denmark's Constitution Day? The Faroe Islands, where they engage in an annual bloodbath in which pilot whales (also
Topics: nature
Minke Whales! June 3rd, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 04 Jun 2009 at 9:25 PM
dToday on our tours in the morning and afternoon we were lucky to encounter not just one but up to three Minke Whales near Hein Bank. With temperatures in the 30's the water was the best place to be on
Topics: nature
Are Icelandic whales nothing but "a batch of meat"? And Faroe Islanders a batch o
Barbara Julian on Thu 04 Jun 2009 at 4:37 PM
"The first batch of meat will be in stores by the weekend," the manager of Iceland's Minke Whale Association tells us. It is that barbaric time of year again when 100 minke and 150 fin whales are to be
Topics: nature
Five Star Whale Watching first to encounter L Pod! June 2nd, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 02 Jun 2009 at 2:44 PM
We have just heard from our vessel that they have encountered members of L Pod (the L12's) near Albert Head! This is the first confirmed sighting of members of L Pod in the waters off Victoria this sea
Topics: nature
Happy Orcas! An unforgettable Transient Orca experience, June1 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 02 Jun 2009 at 12:08 AM
Here are just a few images from todays unforgettable encounter with over 20 Transient Orcas! We witnessed at least two kills as well as a greeting ceremony as the two groups of Orcas came together, it
Topics: nature
A very special and memorable afternoon trip! May 31st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 31 May 2009 at 9:48 PM
Congratulations Mary and John. Thank you for allowing FiveStar to be part of your special day.We had a very special afternoon trip today and one that turned out to be a very memorable experience. Mary
Topics: nature
Morning encounter with over 20 Transient Orcas! May 31st, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 31 May 2009 at 9:04 PM
Here are just a few images from this mornings encounter with over 20 Transient Orcas, a rare and marvelous spectacle. I will be posting more information and images from this trip shortly once the Orcas
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2009 MORE, MORE, MORE TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 31 May 2009 at 6:55 PM
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2009 MORE, MORE, MORE TRANSIENT KILLER WHALESWe needed two postings just to get a small percentage of the pictures we had today on-line!
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2009 WHAT A WAY TO FINISH THE MONTH OF MAY!!! Ove 20 TRANSIENT (M
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 31 May 2009 at 6:42 PM
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2009 WHAT A WAY TO FINISH THE MONTH OF MAY!!! Ove 20 TRANSIENT (Marine-Mammal-Eating) KILLER WHALES!!An almost unheard of number of TRANSIENT "Marine-Mammal-Eating" KILLER WHALES (more
Topics: nature
Porpoise, Seals, Eagles and Minke Whales. May 30th, 2009.llbepos
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 31 May 2009 at 12:34 AM
I will be posting more information about todays tours and the wildlife seen that includes 3 Minke Whales, Hundreds of Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Eagles and Dalls Porpoise.
Topics: nature
Cpt. Hook, Eagles, Vultures, Seals and more!!! May 29th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 30 May 2009 at 1:16 AM
I will be posting more information shortly from todays encounter with Cpt. Hook (Male Transient Orca) and the other Marine and bird life we saw during an adventurous tour this afternoon!
Topics: nature
Fastcat Fun on a Friday:) May 29th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 30 May 2009 at 12:27 AM
We had a fun group of students today from Puyallup, WA and they had a thrilling ride on Fastcat in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The students especially liked the ride on the large bow of Fastcat and lov
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009 T-40 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALE IN "CONFUSED SEA"
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 29 May 2009 at 6:24 PM
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009 T-40 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALE IN "CONFUSED SEA"Confused sea conditions occur as a result of major shifts in wind direction that occur quickly. This causes waves coming from differing
Topics: nature
fridat
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 29 May 2009 at 6:24 PM
Topics: nature
fridat
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 29 May 2009 at 6:24 PM
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009, BALD EAGLE & TURKEY VULTURE CONFRONTATION
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 29 May 2009 at 5:42 PM
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009, BALD EAGLE and (2) When they are injured or sick and cannot get airborne.Bald Eagles are the only eagles unique to North America. They got their name not because they are bald, b
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009 Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier & More Minke Pictures
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 28 May 2009 at 6:16 PM
MT. RAINIER MT. BAKER THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009 Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier & More Minke PicturesIt was so clear and calm that we also had glimpses of both Mt. Baker (3,300m or 10,700 feet tall and about 100k
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009, MINKE WHALES
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 28 May 2009 at 6:03 PM
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009, MINKE WHALESOn a "Chamber of Commerce Day" (No winds, calm seas, warm temperatures 22C or 72F) Five Star Whale Watching's passengers were treated to several stunning passes by t
Topics: nature
Steps as small as a mouse's paw, but still some good news for the caged and the f
Barbara Julian on Thu 28 May 2009 at 12:36 PM
"Their calling is defending rats, yet these folks aren't lawyers," by D. Searcey, Wall Street Journal, May 16, 2009."Pig boom raises health issues," by P. Barta, WSJ, May 11, 2009.The Wall Street Journ
Topics: nature
Porpoise, Elephant Seals, California Sealions and Harbor Seals:) May 27, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 27 May 2009 at 8:34 PM
Dalls PorpoiseAbove and below, Dalls Porpoise in Haro Strait.The five pictures below are of harbor Porpoise in Haro Strait.Above Below, Harbor Seals.California SealsionsAbove and below, Northern Eleph
Topics: nature
Wildlife Extravaganza, May 26th 2009!
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 26 May 2009 at 10:06 PM
Harbor Porpoise in Haro StraitDalls PorpoiseAbove below, Harbor Porpoise.Mother and pup Harbor Seal, so cute;)Harbor Seals at Chain IsletsBald Eagle at Chain IsletsCormorants nest on Great ChainSeagu
Topics: nature
MONDAY, MAY 25, J-16 "SLICK" & J-pod of RESIDENT (Fish-Eating) KILLER WHALES AT E
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 26 May 2009 at 5:11 PM
MONDAY, MAY 25, J-16 "SLICK" & J-pod of RESIDENT (Fish-Eating) KILLER WHALES AT EAGLE POINT, SAN JUAN ISLANDIt is remarkable how the Southern Resident Killer Whales have adapted as humans have started
Topics: nature
Waiting For Forever Homes -- Alexandria Players Help Cat Rescue Society
Barbara Julian on Tue 26 May 2009 at 10:07 AM
The Alexandria Players of Victoria, B.C., put on an adaptation of Bill Richardson's comic novel Waiting For Gertrude, in which the feral cats living in Paris' Pere-Lachaise Cemetery are re-incarnations
Topics: nature
Vancouver Foie Gras Restaurants Very Rattled by Animal Defense Lobby!
Barbara Julian on Mon 25 May 2009 at 5:38 PM
Activists told two Vancouver restaurants that forcing mush down the throats of helpless geese with steel pipes several times a day, until their esophagus is injured and organs deformed, is an unnecessa
Topics: nature
Ceremonial Sea Otter Hunt Is Ceremonial Cruelty
Barbara Julian on Mon 25 May 2009 at 5:06 PM
The mainstream press has been if not exactly buzzing, at least persistently whispering the past few days about the otter kill a native band wants to carry out off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Th
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 GRAY WHALE, J-POD RESIDENT KILLER WHALES & HYBRID DALL/HARBO
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 25 May 2009 at 10:56 AM
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 GRAY WHALE, J-POD RESIDENT KILLER WHALES & HYBRID DALL/HARBOUR PORPOISE!Great way to celebrate U.S. Memorial Day and Commonwealth May 24th Queen's Birthday weekends.Five Star Whale
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009 MORE PHOTOS of J-pod of RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 25 May 2009 at 10:51 AM
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009 MORE PHOTOS of J-pod of RESIDENT KILLER WHALESSimply needed more room on the Five Star Whale Watching BLOG for more photos! What a day!
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009 SWIFTSURE SAILBOAT RACE & J-pod of RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 25 May 2009 at 10:39 AM
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009 SWIFTSURE SAILBOAT RACE & J-pod of RESIDENT KILLER WHALESA picture tells a thousand words?....Then get ready for some heavy reading! Passengers on Five Star Whale Watching two hi
Topics: nature
Another memorable eveing encounter with Jpod! May 23rd, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 24 May 2009 at 12:06 AM
Here are just a few images from this evenings encounter with Jpod and Dalls Porpoise, it was another amazing evening on the water. I will be posting more images and information shortly.
Topics: nature
Spectacular evening encounter with Jpod! May 22nd, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 23 May 2009 at 12:32 AM
Here are just a few images of this evenings spectacular encounter with Jpod near Turn Point. I will be posting more pictures and information shortly.
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009, K-pod IN THE MORNING, J-pod IN THE AFTERNOON
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 22 May 2009 at 6:02 PM
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009, K-pod IN THE MORNING, J-pod IN THE AFTERNOONWhat a gorgeous day in "Paradise"! Early morning reports had J-pod of Southern Resident (Fish-Eating) Killer Whales up to 70km (45 mile
Topics: nature
Elephant stranded in Alberta due to human lack of imagination
Barbara Julian on Fri 22 May 2009 at 1:45 PM
Maybe something like this would help lawmakers gain some insight into the plight of Lucy the elephant stuck in the Edmonton Valley Zoo --Dear Mayor and Councillors of Edmonton:This letter is to inform
Topics: nature
Wonderful afternoon encounter with Jpod off San Juan Island!! May 21, 2009
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 21 May 2009 at 11:47 PM
Here are just a few pictures from this afternoons wonderful encounter with Jpod and also a Brown Pelican on the west side of San Juan Island! I will be posting more images and information about this tr
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2009 J-POD ALMOST CIRCUMNAVIGATES THE SAN JUAN ISLAND ARCHIPELA
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 21 May 2009 at 6:19 PM
Smith IslandTHURSDAY, MAY 21, 2009 J-POD ALMOST CIRCUMNAVIGATES THE SAN JUAN ISLAND ARCHIPELAGO IN 12 HOURSFrom Thatcher Pass in Rosario Strait to Bird Rocks, then to Smith Island, Salmon Bank, Lime Ki
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2009 BROWN PELICAN
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 21 May 2009 at 6:18 PM
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2009 BROWN PELICAN
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2009 ALL OUR GRATITUDE FOR J-POD
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 21 May 2009 at 6:03 PM
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2009 ALL OUR GRATITUDE FOR J-PODThis is a strange way of life, being lucky enough to see these incredible animals so often and having the pleasure of introducing new passengers each
Topics: nature
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2009, J-pod of RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 19 May 2009 at 6:03 PM
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2009, J-pod of RESIDENT KILLER WHALES. Reports came in late in the morning that Killer Whales were seen near Point Roberts, 65kms (40 miles) North of Victoria, so our only hope for vie
Topics: nature
MONDAY, MAY 18, J-pod RESIDENT KILLER WHALES near San Juan Island
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 19 May 2009 at 3:45 PM
MONDAY, MAY 18, J-pod RESIDENT KILLER WHALES near San Juan IslandWe awoke to turbulent weather, with high winds and "confused" seas making it extremely difficult to find wildlife along the Victoria wat
Topics: nature
Afternoon wildlife extravaganza! May 17th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 18 May 2009 at 12:21 PM
Immature Bald EagleHarbor Seals at Chain Islets.California Sealions at Race RocksCalifornia SealionsSealions and Northern Elephant Seals at Race RocksNorthern Elephants Seals ans Stellar Sealions at Ra
Topics: nature
Jpod south of Sheringham Point:) May 18th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 18 May 2009 at 12:20 AM
Here are just a few pictures from todays incredible encounter with Jpod south of Sheringham Point:) I will be posting more information and pictures shortly.
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 T-102 & T-124's
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 16 May 2009 at 5:35 PM
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 T-102 T-124'sTransient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killier Whales make Five Star Whale Watching's passengers' day!!!
Topics: nature
FRIDAY MAY 15, 2009 TRANSIENTS IN HARO STRAIT
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 16 May 2009 at 10:14 AM
Young calf probably with female Transient killer whale T2B and T2C2 Transient T2B Transient T2CTransient spyhop! Probably Transient T2B travelling in the Strait of Juan De Fuca Probably Transient T2B w
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2009 J-POD IN HARO STRAIT, & TRANSIENTS NEAR D'ARCY ISLAND
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 16 May 2009 at 9:24 AM
Note Transient Killer Whale T2C2's unusually curved dorsal fin. Passengers on Five Star Whale Watching's afternoon trip could be accused of "double-dipping" as they saw J-pod and, unexpectedly, Transie
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2009 J-Pod Resident Killer Whales & Brown Pelican!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 14 May 2009 at 6:44 PM
J-28 "Polaris", a 16-yr old female member of the Southern Resident Killer Whale population...Note the distinctive notch half-way down the trailing edge of her dorsal fin.WOW! I feel old because it seem
Topics: nature
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2009 J-POD OF RESIDENT KILLER WHALES & FLOATING BRIDGE
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 13 May 2009 at 5:43 PM
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2009 J-POD OF RESIDENT KILLER WHALES & FLOATING BRIDGE
Topics: nature
MONDAY, MAY 11, 2009 DALL'S PORPOISE & CORMORANTS
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 13 May 2009 at 5:38 PM
MONDAY, MAY 11, 2009 DALL'S PORPOISE & CORMORANTS
Topics: nature
T14 "Pender", Gray Whale and Minke Whale on Mothers Day:) May 10th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 10 May 2009 at 9:51 PM
Everyone at Five Star Whale Watching would like to wish all the wonderful Mothers a very Happy Mothers Day and what a day it was to be on the water:)Today Five Star Whale Watching did it again and foun
Topics: nature
Afternoon tip May 9th, 2009. Gray Whale, Minke Whale, Eagles and more:)
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 10 May 2009 at 12:24 AM
We headed back out on the water this afternoon in search of the Minke Whale and other cetaceans again. We found Sealions, Northern Elephant Seals and Harbor seals along with a Immature Bald Eagle at Ra
Topics: nature
Am trip May 9th, 2009. Minke Whale, Eagles and more!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 10 May 2009 at 12:19 AM
This morning we took a large group of visitors from Taiwan out into the Strait of Juan De Fuca and it was the perfect spring day.We saw Eagles, Seals, Porpoise, and then I spotted a Minke Whale near a
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009 MINKE WHALE, BALD EAGLE & INCREDIBLE SCENERY
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 09 May 2009 at 5:22 PM
Minke Whale at Discovery Island Five Star Whale Watching's "Fast Cat" with the Olympic Mountains of Washington State in the background. Bald Eagle soaring on the late morning updraft.
Topics: nature
Animal Questions For Politicians
Barbara Julian on Sat 09 May 2009 at 11:16 AM
When there's an election on most politicians gear their thinking toward those they can count on for votes -- on pleasing them and on increasing their ranks. But the fact is that not only humans live in
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2009, T-10's TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 08 May 2009 at 5:42 PM
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2009, T-10's TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES & ONE LUCKY HARBOUR SEAL!!!A beautiful day and T-10, T-10B & T-10C Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales greeted passengers on Five Star Wha
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009, TRANSIENTS KILL STELLER SEA LION
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 07 May 2009 at 6:02 PM
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009, TRANSIENTS KILL STELLER SEA LIONFive Star Whale Watching's "Fast Cat" carried our crew and passengers to some Transient Killer Whales (Marine-Mammal_Eating Orcas) near Lime Kiln
Topics: nature
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2009 GRAY WHALE, ELEPHANT SEAL & "BARBERSHOP QUARTET"(?)
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 06 May 2009 at 5:41 PM
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2009 GRAY WHALE, ELEPHANT SEAL & "BARBERSHOP QUARTET"(?)Sea conditions were good enough that Ron Bates, while sitting in a misting drizzle true to our mixed temperate rain forest clim
Topics: nature
Canadian Seal Hunt and Somali Pirates - Sharing the "Atrocities" News Space
Barbara Julian on Wed 06 May 2009 at 10:37 AM
Worldwide, things in general are not going well for animals: elephants in Africa are not only suffering from poachers' attacks, but also from habitat loss due to development and the loss of grassland t
Topics: nature
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2009, J-POD Returns
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 05 May 2009 at 5:42 PM
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2009, J-POD OFF SAN JUAN ISLANDAfter breaking their absence of over 30 days, J-Pod returned for a second day of spectacular viewing. In the space of 21-hours (from 4PM on Monday to 1PM
Topics: nature
May 4th Now Confirmed Report of Multiple Orcas, Jpod and more!!!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 04 May 2009 at 10:03 AM
Ron Bates, MMRG, has just received reports of multiple Orcas near Victoria and it has been confirmed that at least one group is JPod and there are other Orcas in the area as well!This is excellent news
Topics: nature
May 3rd, Minke Whale and Porpoise.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 04 May 2009 at 10:02 AM
Today we watched a Minke Whale and a large number of Harbor Porpoise. More information will be posted shortly.
Topics: nature
May 2nd Grey Whale at Crescent Bay
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 04 May 2009 at 9:58 AM
Today we watched a Gray Whale at Crescent Bay. More information will be posted shortly.
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2009, MINKE WHALE AT DISCOVERY ISLAND
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 01 May 2009 at 6:29 PM
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2009, MINKE WHALE AT DISCOVERY ISLANDOnboard Five Star Whale Watching's "Fast Cat", Ron Bates captured a wonderful sequence of a Minke Whale coming up for air and arching it's long back,
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009, MINKE WHALE & DALL'S PORPOISE
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 30 Apr 2009 at 5:51 PM
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009, MINKE WHALE & DALL'S PORPOISEWhat a beautiful day in Victoria, B.C.! Afternoon temperatures approached 17 C (60 F). A fine way to finish off April.Flat calm seas brought up id
Topics: nature
WEDS, APRIL 29, 2009, MINKE WHALE, DALL'S PORPOISE & SUBMARINE
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 29 Apr 2009 at 5:55 PM
WEDS, APRIL 29, 2009, MINKE WHALE, DALL'S PORPOISE & SUBMARINE"Pssttt!!! Hey, Buddy...Wanna buy a Sub?" Well, that's not exactly what we heard today, but it was the impression we got when we saw a Subm
Topics: nature
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2009 GRAY WHALE, CALIFORNIA SEA LION, NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL,
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 29 Apr 2009 at 4:24 PM
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2009 GRAY WHALE, CALIFORNIA SEA LION, NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL, BALD EAGLE & BROWN PELICANSounds like the start to a bad joke, or maybe an inventory list from Noah's Ark, but we, in fa
Topics: nature
What Is SWINE FLU Like For the Swine?
Barbara Julian on Wed 29 Apr 2009 at 10:59 AM
We find it convenient to ignore how close we humans are to the pig, close both in physiology and in psychology. We share many of the same emotions and mental characteristics (gregariousness, loneliness
Topics: nature
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009 GRAY WHALE, Crescent Bay
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 28 Apr 2009 at 3:01 PM
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009 GRAY WHALE, Crescent BayPhotos by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG),
Topics: nature
Elephant Seals Grace Victoria Beaches in Spring
Barbara Julian on Tue 28 Apr 2009 at 11:42 AM
Elephant seal and admirers at Willows Beach, Victoria, B.C.The Northern Elephant Seal was hunted almost to extinction by the end of the 19th century, but has made a comeback. One of the places it has c
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, APRIL 26th, 2009 BALD EAGLE NEST near Haystack Rock, Metchosin, B.C.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 27 Apr 2009 at 12:27 PM
SUNDAY, APRIL 26th, 2009 BALD EAGLE NEST near Haystack Rock, Metchosin, B.C.A Bald Eagle Nest near Haystack Rock off Metchosin, B.C. has now reached over 1m (3 feet)wide and up to 2m (6 feet)tall. This
Topics: nature
SUNDAY, APRIL 26th, 2009 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES near Race Rocks
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 27 Apr 2009 at 12:15 PM
SUNDAY, APRIL 26th, 2009 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES near Race RocksAdditional photos of Transient Killer Whales hunting near Race Rocks. Note the circling pattern as they zero in for the kill.Photos by Ro
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas! April 26th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 27 Apr 2009 at 12:10 AM
Here are just a few images from todays incredible encounter with Transient Orcas, a great treat for my birthday:) I will lbe posting more pictures and information shortly.
Topics: nature
Hundreds of Porpoise! April 25th, 2009
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 27 Apr 2009 at 12:06 AM
Here are just a few pictures from todays spectacular tour. I will be posting more information and pictures shortly.
Topics: nature
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2009, TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES T-10's
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 23 Apr 2009 at 6:15 PM
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2009, TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES T-10'sIn Northern Haro Strait, between Mandarte Island and Moresby Island, Five Star Whale Watching's passengers were fortunate to find 3 Transient (Ma
Topics: nature
WEDS, APRIL 22, 2009, SPIEDEN ISLAND & KELP REEF
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 23 Apr 2009 at 6:03 PM
WEDS, APRIL 22, 2009, SPIEDEN ISLAND & KELP REEFAt Spieden Island in the U.S. San Juan Island Archapeligo, Five Star Whale Watching passengers saw Moufflon Sheep and Sitka Deer:Moufflon SheepThese were
Topics: nature
Amazing PBS program about Orcas! Happy Earth Day.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 22 Apr 2009 at 11:11 PM
http://www.pbs.org/kqed/oceanadventures/episodes/killerwhale/Tonight on PBS there was an incredible show about Orcas (Killer Whales), the oceans number one predator. Please click on the link above to s
Topics: nature
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2009 RACE ROCKS
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 21 Apr 2009 at 5:36 PM
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2009 RACE ROCKSToday we were treated to huge flocks of gulls feeding on masses of zooplankton, what appeared to be a nation of Harbour Seals and many Rhinoceros Auklets.Photos by Ron
Topics: nature
MONDAY. APRIL 20, 2009 T-40 & T-124 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 20 Apr 2009 at 7:39 PM
MONDAY. APRIL 20, 2009 T-40 & T-124 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALESWow, what a day! Early morning sunshine and what had all the makings of the nicest weather of 2009 so far....But the anticipation was palpable
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, APRIL 18. 2009 HARBOUR PORPOISE, STELLER SEA LIONS & BALD EAGLES!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 20 Apr 2009 at 3:40 PM
SATURDAY, APRIL 18. 2009 HARBOUR PORPOISE, STELLER SEA LIONS & BALD EAGLES!What did passengers on Five Star Whale Watching's "Supercat" see today?The distinctive triangular fin of Harbour Porpoise, whi
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2009 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALE
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 20 Apr 2009 at 3:35 PM
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2009 TRANSIENT KILLER WHALE T-103Photos by Ron Bates of Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG)
Topics: nature
Copepods and Transient Orca! Friday April 18th, 2009.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 18 Apr 2009 at 3:18 PM
T103 Transient OrcaCopepods are a group of small crustaceans found in the sea and nearly every freshwater habitat. Many species are planktonic (drifting in sea waters), but more are benthic (living on
Topics: nature
Wildlife Extravaganza, April 16th 2009!
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 17 Apr 2009 at 12:59 AM
Scruffy the Bald EagleSteller California SealionsHarbor SealsHarlequin DuckRhinocarus AukletCormorantsHarlequin DucksJuvenile Bald EagleTrial Island Lighthouse above and below with Mt. Baker.Harbor Po
Topics: nature
Weds, April 15, 2009 ELEPHANT SEALS AT RACE ROCKS
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 16 Apr 2009 at 4:11 PM
Weds, April 15, 2009 ELEPHANT SEALS AT RACE ROCKSOn the warmest day of the year passengers on Five Star Whale Watching's afternoon cruise went to Race Rocks Marine Protected Area where they saw Norther
Topics: nature
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT, OAK BAY & DISCOVERY ISLAND
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 16 Apr 2009 at 3:18 PM
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT, OAK BAY and a close "fly-by" of a Rhinoceros Auklet, so called because the Male of the species gets a "horn" on it's beak during Mating Season.Photos by Ro
Topics: nature
World Laboratory Animal Week - April 18-25th: a long way to go
Barbara Julian on Thu 16 Apr 2009 at 12:20 PM
April: Easter, Earth Week, tax deadlines ... lots going on in April. One event few think about is the annual LABORATORY ANIMAL WEEK (sometimes called World Lab Animal Liberation Week) which this year t
Topics: nature
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2009 Marine Wildlife
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 13 Apr 2009 at 6:03 PM
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2009 Marine WildlifeHarbour Seals and Eagles were the order of the day. No Transient Killer Whales were found after 4 straight days of sightings throughout Juan de Fuca and Haro Strai
Topics: nature
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2009, T-123's
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 13 Apr 2009 at 5:53 PM
Saturday, April 11, 2009 T-123'sFor the last 3 weeks Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales have ruled the waters off Victoria...Today yet again, as the T-123 group chased and caught seals off
Topics: nature
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2009 T-30's
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 13 Apr 2009 at 5:43 PM
Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whale group the T-30's lived up to their name on Friday, April 10, 2009 as they searched the waters of Satellite Channel near the South end of Saltspring Island
Topics: nature
Should someone be telling these police to keep their hair on?
Barbara Julian on Thu 09 Apr 2009 at 11:24 AM
Keeping the fur on wild animals is the purpose behind the Vancouver Animal Defense League's ongoing protests at Snowflakes Fur store in the Fairmont Hotel.In Bad Hare Days, his account of campaigning i
Topics: nature
British Ministry of Defence Defends Guards' Bearskin Hats to the Death -- of the
Barbara Julian on Thu 09 Apr 2009 at 10:29 AM
Thousands of Canadian black bears have fallen prey to hunters taking their skins for the bearskin hats worn by guards at Buckingham Palace. The tradition of using the tall black fur columns on their he
Topics: nature
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 Transient Killer Whales!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 08 Apr 2009 at 10:31 AM
Spring Sunshine, Calm Seas, Warm Temperatures and Transient Killer Whales!Our afternoon trip on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 could not have been better: Spring sunshine, calm seas, warm temperatures (17 C
Topics: nature
Yellow-bellied Marmot Returns!!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 08 Apr 2009 at 10:10 AM
The Yellow-bellied Marmot that took up residence on the lawn and in the gardens of The Fairmont Empress Hotel has returned! (Actually, he has probably been hibernating there all Winter and has just rea
Topics: nature
Could Sibling Scientists Save the Oceans?
Barbara Julian on Tue 07 Apr 2009 at 2:17 PM
The Natural Resources Defense Council and the International Fund For Animal Welfare took the U.S. Navy to the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the Navy driving whales to physical injury (rupture of membranes
Topics: nature
The Literary Vegetarian
Barbara Julian on Fri 03 Apr 2009 at 9:39 AM
It's time to substitute the "100 mile diet" with the compassion diet. The 100 mile diet is heavily dependent on meat. Although inspired by a desire to limit carbon emissions and climate change (presuma
Topics: nature
Ron Bates Receives Tourism Victoria's 2008 Environment Award
Five Star Whale Watching on Tue 31 Mar 2009 at 4:05 PM
Tourism Victoria today announced that our friend Ron Bates was chosen as the recipient of their 2008 Environment Award in the "Individual" category:"Ron Bates, Marine Mammal Research Group, for his lif
Topics: nature
The history of animal rights makes for good human biography
Barbara Julian on Tue 31 Mar 2009 at 3:30 PM
Recently this site looked at the story of current animal rights campaigning in Ireland, in Fitzgerald's Bad Hare Days. In Striking At the Roots, Mark Hawthorne lets many contemporary campaigners tell t
Topics: nature
Sunday, March 29th, 2009 TRANSIENTS!
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 30 Mar 2009 at 5:30 PM
START OF THE 2009 SEASONIt is wonderful to be back out on the water! And to then find Transient (Marine-Mammal-Eating) Killer Whales on a calm day in Spring-time sunshine...Well, we must live a good li
Topics: nature
Iceland, Elves and Whales
Barbara Julian on Sun 29 Mar 2009 at 8:15 PM
According to the CBC (a fascinating segment on The Current), 80% of the population of Iceland accepts the existance of elves, or the "hidden people" who exist in the crags and caves of Iceland, ready t
Topics: nature
ReVEAL your conscience, De-VEAL your dinner plate
Barbara Julian on Sat 28 Mar 2009 at 12:34 PM
Catching a plane at YVR? Anyone with a conscience who is doing so won't want to stop for a snack at Papi's Restaurant in Richmond B.C. They have veal on the menu. Just in case you still don't know how
Topics: nature
Amazing Video of Jpod off Bainbridge Island:)
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 20 Mar 2009 at 2:33 PM
http://www.king5.com/video/?nvid=343706Here is an amazing piece of video showing Jpod near Bainbridge Island. I can't wait for my first trip with these incredible Marine Mammals:)
Topics: nature
Excellent News, yet another new Baby Orca sighted in Jpod!!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 20 Mar 2009 at 1:35 PM
http://www.whale-museum.org/museum/press/latest/March_Jpod_Baby.html
Topics: nature
UVIC and the Environment: Rabbits Aren't the Problem
Barbara Julian on Wed 18 Mar 2009 at 1:31 PM
Will this one be next?This review site exists to celebrate and promote exciting, eloquent and informative books and other writings about animals, not to criticize writings that are substandard. They ar
Topics: nature
Cruel Death For Horses on Canim Lake Reserve: how could NOBODY notice?
Barbara Julian on Wed 11 Mar 2009 at 11:27 AM
Band members living on the Canim Lake Reserve have allowed 90 horses to starve in freezing weather this winter. Nineteen have been found frozen to death (shades of the NWT sled dogs left to the same fa
Topics: nature
Bad Hare Days
Barbara Julian on Mon 09 Mar 2009 at 2:47 PM
In Canada it's the seal hunt, in Spain the bullfight, in Iceland the whale hunt, and in Ireland it's the blood sport of hare coursing. Many countries have a particular custom of animal cruelty which su
Topics: nature
Companion Animals' Space on Prime Minister's Website
Barbara Julian on Fri 06 Mar 2009 at 10:45 AM
It's heartening to see this message on Prime Minister Harper's website:"Thousands of pets residing in shelters across Canada are waiting to be adopted. Adopting or fostering a pet is well worth the eff
Topics: nature
Naming the Animals and their Qualities
Barbara Julian on Thu 05 Mar 2009 at 3:20 PM
In his riveting book Dry Store Room No. 1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum (HarperPress, 2008), Richard Fortey discusses the classification work of the keepers and scientists at the Museu
Topics: nature
Is Cruelty Finally Going Out of Fashion?
Barbara Julian on Thu 05 Mar 2009 at 12:08 PM
The bottom has finally fallen out of the fur-buying industry. Europeans for instance have demonstrated that they don't want this product of Canadian traplines, fur farms and seal clubbing. No more prof
Topics: nature
Fighting For an Oil Free Coast
Barbara Julian on Thu 05 Mar 2009 at 11:18 AM
More than the palms of politicians get greased by oil companies when they get their way regarding off-shore oil and gas testing. Testing alone, never mind whether any big oil source is found, creates d
Topics: nature
"How Could They Not Have Helped" Robert Dziekanski?
Barbara Julian on Thu 26 Feb 2009 at 1:24 PM
“How could they not have helped him?” This is Zofia Cisowski’s anguished question about the treatment of her son Robert Dziekanski, who was tasered to death at Vancouver Airport in October 2007.
Topics: nature
Two new Babies in the Southern Resident Orca Pods!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 19 Feb 2009 at 12:35 PM
After all the bad news about missing Orcas from the Southern Resident Killer Whale Pods, there was some good news a few days ago with the discovery of two new calf's, one in J pod and the other in L po
Topics: nature
Can Literature Save the Environment? B.C. Poetry For Wildlife
Barbara Julian on Tue 17 Feb 2009 at 11:24 AM
The current issue of The Malahat Review showcases “contemporary literary writing on environmental themes.” Poet-editor Jay Ruzesky poses the question “what is the purpose of and the need for envi
Topics: nature
New Whale Watching Season is almost here!
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 12 Feb 2009 at 8:20 AM
The 2009 Whale Watching season at Five Star Whale Watching is almost here! Last season we had some amazing trips and we expect the coming season to be just as good. A Whale Watching tour with Five Sta
Topics: nature
Books on the Animals Inside Animals
Barbara Julian on Tue 27 Jan 2009 at 5:08 PM
Biology used to be taught as a study of the splendid differences among and ultimate separation of life forms, which were seen as unrolling upwards in a long crescendo of branches leading to us (humanit
Topics: nature
Whales and Starvation, Pollution and Underwater Noise
Barbara Julian on Sat 24 Jan 2009 at 5:18 PM
One of the joys of living on the west coast is the repeated possibility of catching sight of passing whales. Walking along the shore or sitting on a ferry gazing out to the sea, if you suddenly see the
Topics: nature
The Human Animal (Evolution & "The Invisible Sex")
Barbara Julian on Mon 12 Jan 2009 at 4:12 PM
The Invisible Sex: Uncovering the True Roles of Women in Prehistory, by J.M. Adovasio, Olga Soffer and Jake Page; HarperCollins (Smithsonian), 2007The hunter-warrior life -- that primitive golden age w
Topics: nature
Too Many Cows
Barbara Julian on Mon 12 Jan 2009 at 3:55 PM
Cool Farming: climate impacts of agriculture, by Pete Smith (University of Aberdeen) et al ; Greenpeace, January 2008 North American politicians have woken up to the implications of climate change, but
Topics: nature
UN Report: "Livestock's Long Shadow" (meat & heat)
Barbara Julian on Mon 12 Jan 2009 at 3:53 PM
In Livestock's Long Shadow (2007), the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization makes it clear that world-wide, the meat industry is responsible for more greenhouse gas emission than is the transportat
Topics: nature
Sled Dogs Starved & Frozen to Death in NWT Not Considered Abuse
Barbara Julian on Fri 09 Jan 2009 at 11:53 AM
There's a news story on CBC News (www.cbc.ca) about 3 dogs frozen to the ground, who died after being starved and without shelter in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. The owner was not charged with c
Topics: nature
BC's Whales In Peril
Barbara Julian on Thu 08 Jan 2009 at 1:55 PM
The area comprising the northeast Pacific, the northwest coast of BC and the Great Bear Rainforest is one of the most biologically thrilling places on Earth, a place where marine, terrestrial and islan
Topics: nature
Which is more interesting, a dead grizzly or a live grizzly?
Barbara Julian on Wed 07 Jan 2009 at 4:40 PM
Would you rather see a bear dead on a floor, as a rug, or a live bear in the rainforest, raising her young and playing and fishing in the rivers? There are eco-tourism businesses that offer the latter,
Topics: nature
Merry Christmas From Everyone at Five Star Whale Watching!
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 24 Dec 2008 at 2:33 PM
Merry Christmas and Happy New Yearto all our guestsfrom all the staff at Five Star Whale Watching!!
Topics: nature
Can the World Economic Downturn Help Nature and Wild Animals?
Barbara Julian on Sun 14 Dec 2008 at 1:41 PM
James Lovelock, in The Revenge of Gaia, reminds us that the survival of a healthy proportion of nonhuman life forms on Earth depends upon controlling the spread of humanity and its habitations. He make
Topics: nature
A Christmas Verse For Animal Lovers
Barbara Julian on Thu 11 Dec 2008 at 12:58 PM
‘Twas the week before Christmasand all over the farmthe feedlots and dairy were fraught with alarm.Feathers were trembling on poultry in fear,They’d never known daylight or a clean atmosphere,The t
Topics: nature
Top Animal Books of 2008
Barbara Julian on Wed 10 Dec 2008 at 1:09 PM
'Tis the season for those ubiquitous lists of "best books" of the passing year -- so here is the Animalit list (not an exhaustive one):The Wisdom of Birds, by Tim Birkhead; Greystone, 400 page hardcove
Topics: nature
Hybrid Human-Animal Embryos Created in British Labs
Barbara Julian on Tue 09 Dec 2008 at 10:26 AM
"It blurs the distinction between human beings and other animals." This is the top reason why some oppose the creation of mixed human-animal embryos in labs, but from one point of view this is the best
Topics: nature
Dr. Pachauri agrees with Paul McCartney: just say no to meat
Barbara Julian on Thu 04 Dec 2008 at 12:27 PM
Elisabeth Rosenthal writes in the New York Times (Dec. 3/08) as the current round of global warming talks begin in Poland, that “every step of producing meat creates emissions.”“Flatus and manure
Topics: nature
The Fur Industry: not a warm fuzzy topic
Barbara Julian on Thu 04 Dec 2008 at 9:53 AM
December: 'tis the season to get serious about fur. Man it's cold out there -- that's why nature evolved a pelt of close fine hair to keep the skin of mammals warm. Those animals need their coats; so w
Topics: nature
Ancient Roots of Animal Abuse
Barbara Julian on Thu 20 Nov 2008 at 4:26 PM
Some rather depressing research is being carried out by Dr. Fiona Marshall at ancient Egyptian burial sites. She has found there the skeletons of early donkeys -- so early she isn't even sure whether t
Topics: nature
Cat Care: Should Cats Be Confined Indoors?
Barbara Julian on Thu 20 Nov 2008 at 4:10 PM
The Capital Regional District of British Columbia is nudging municipalities in the Victoria area to make cat licensing mandatory, and to require cats to be kept indoors. What would the furred ones say
Topics: nature
The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
Barbara Julian on Fri 07 Nov 2008 at 12:00 PM
Based in the U.S., AVAR's mission is to:"work toward the acquisition of rights for all nonhuman animals by educating the public and the veterinary profession ..... The AVAR is actively seeking reformat
Topics: nature
Tasering Pigs: Animals Are Used in Taser Experimentation
Barbara Julian on Thu 06 Nov 2008 at 4:44 PM
The slang term which civil rights protestors used for police in the 60's -- the "pigs" -- is inappropriate because the four-legged pig is an intelligent and sensitive creature, very unlike the people w
Topics: nature
The Horses Before Horses, in the World Without Us
Barbara Julian on Wed 05 Nov 2008 at 12:45 PM
Contrary to what they taught you in grade school, the horses which Columbus and later Europeans brought to South and North America weren't the New World's first horses. There were actually several nati
Topics: nature
Egg Layers Still Tortured in California
Barbara Julian on Wed 05 Nov 2008 at 11:48 AM
The outcomes of individual referenda were the interesting part of yesterday's U.S. election. That the crowd psychology of the nation had determined it was time to atone for centuries of discrimination
Topics: nature
Your Cat's Cousins
Barbara Julian on Mon 03 Nov 2008 at 1:42 PM
House Cat has many wilder relatives -- here's one of the most elegant ones from Borneo, whom researchers are trying to protect. For details check out the Canopy Cats Project at the Global Canopy Progra
Topics: nature
Nobody's Pet (Animals in Laboratory Testing)
Barbara Julian on Mon 03 Nov 2008 at 1:35 PM
The animals around us are usually someone's beloved companions. Because they are visible in a community they usually have a hope of protection and rescue should anyone abuse them. Wild animals by contr
Topics: nature
Universities' Shrinking Research Budgets Good News for Lab Animals
Barbara Julian on Mon 03 Nov 2008 at 10:25 AM
"Universities eye painful cuts in wake of crisis," by Elizabeth Church and Paul Wade. Globe & Mail, Nov. 2, 2008For those who have paused to imagine the extreme suffering of millions of lab animals in
Topics: nature
American "Toxic Substances Control Act" Makes Toxic Reading
Barbara Julian on Sat 01 Nov 2008 at 4:14 PM
Here's a strange thing: in the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency is a bigger sponsor of toxicity testing on animals than is any other U.S. government department. The EPA's mandate is to protect
Topics: nature
The Minds of Fish (NATURE Magazine, Shubin, and the Home Aquarium)
Barbara Julian on Sat 01 Nov 2008 at 4:00 PM
You might think that your pet aquarium fish just float around mindlessly, not really noticing much. According to an article in Nature magazine (January 25/07), you'd be wrong. A study demonstrated that
Topics: nature
The 2008 Five Star Crew. What a Team!!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 01 Nov 2008 at 1:32 PM
Commodore Ron and his Angels:)Cpt. Trev and AndrewTove AndrewKirsten during her first Dalls Porpoise encounter:)The crew hard at work:)Kirsten having a bad hair day, you need to get smart like Cpt. Sc
Topics: nature
2008 Season highlights!
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 31 Oct 2008 at 10:52 PM
Here are a few images showing some of the highlights of the incredible 2008 season at Five Star Whale Watching!We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our passengers for joining Five Star t
Topics: nature
Beautiful Autumn Day! Oct 22nd, 2008.
Five Star Whale Watching on Fri 24 Oct 2008 at 7:55 PM
Mt. BakerK PodChain Islets, Discovery Island and Mt. BakerCommodore Ron and Captain Trev returning to the Harbor after the final trip of the seasonBull KelpFloat Plane just after taking off from Victor
Topics: nature
Amazing encounter with K Pod for the final tour of 2008!! Oct 22nd, 2008.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 23 Oct 2008 at 2:43 PM
Breathtaking breach!!Tail lob!A magnificent cart wheel!BreachTail lobTailslapTailslapSpyhopK Pod Orcas travel through the Strait.This gentleman was visiting with his wife from England and was born in O
Topics: nature
Pictures by Ron Bates from encounters with K Pod during our final tour of 2008! O
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 23 Oct 2008 at 12:01 PM
Commodore Ron with his Angeles:)Here are a few images by Ron Bates, Marine Mammal Research Group (MMRG), from todays final tour of the 2008 season! We had a wonderful encounter with K Pod near Middle B
Topics: nature
Three groups of Transient Orcas!!!! Oct 18th, 2008.
Five Star Whale Watching on Mon 20 Oct 2008 at 12:00 PM
T46B, T46B1 and T46B2 (the new calf)!Supercats Rooster Tail in the late afternoon sun.T46B1 was being very playful:)T46B2 (above)The picture above and 3 below show a spectacular Spy Hop by one of the T
Topics: nature
Pictures by Ron Bates from encounters with Transient Orcas! Oct 18th, 2008.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 19 Oct 2008 at 9:40 PM
Here are some images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays encounters with 3 groups of Transient Orcas!
Topics: nature
Incredible passenger pictures from tour on Sept 28th, 2008!!
Five Star Whale Watching on Sun 19 Oct 2008 at 9:23 PM
Here are some incredible pictures by passenger, Gary Lehman, from the tour on Sept 28th, 2008.Great job Gary and thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures from that amazing day with T31!
Topics: nature
T20 & T21 Transient Orcas!! Oct 17th, 2008.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 18 Oct 2008 at 10:13 AM
T20 Tail Fluke as he dives after a Harbor Seal!T20 (Below) and T21 (above), Mother Son.Race Rocks Hydro Generator undergoing maintenance. This generator can produce power in either direction of the cu
Topics: nature
Pictures by Ron Bates encounters with Transient Orcas! Oct 17th, 2008.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 18 Oct 2008 at 10:03 AM
Here are a few images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from todays wonderful encounter with T20 T21, two Transient Orcas!
Topics: nature
Humpback Whale and amazing Steller Sealion encounter! Oct 16th, 2008.
Five Star Whale Watching on Sat 18 Oct 2008 at 9:58 AM
We had an amazing encounter with Steller Sealions right by our boat!A group of Steller Sealions check out our vessel!Here are a series of photos of the Humpback Whale Tail fluke as it went on a deep di
Topics: nature
Pictures by Ron Bates from encounters Oct 13th to 16th, 2008.
Five Star Whale Watching on Thu 16 Oct 2008 at 9:19 PM
Here are a number of images by Ron Bates, MMRG, from encounters from Oct 13th to 16th, 2008.
Topics: nature
Transient Orcas and Humpback Whales! Oct 14th, 2008.
Five Star Whale Watching on Wed 15 Oct 2008 at 10:15 AM
Spyhop by T21.If you look closely you can see blood in the mouth of the nearest Orca in this picture!!T2'sT2's T21 T20 Transient OrcasT20 passes by Race RocksSteller Sealions at Race Rocks.Harbor Sea
Topics: nature
More Than a Hop Between One Rabbit Lifestyle and Another
Barbara Julian on Mon 06 Oct 2008 at 5:05 PM
The picture on the left is a PETA shot of rabbits in a lab having cosmetics tested on them (what do we STILL need to test about cosmetics?), and the other shows a rabbit living free on the University o
Topics: nature
Why Do Cats Like Lying on Books?
Barbara Julian on Wed 27 Aug 2008 at 12:39 PM
Books, cats, plants -- some of life's good things. Why do cats love lying on their humans' books and papers? They definitely like to touch what we touch, and they would definitely like more of the atte
Topics: nature
Events in Victoria
09 Sep 2010
Brent Jarvis Showcase/Jam/Fundraiser at Hermann's Jazz Club
NYPD - NOT YOUR PARENTS DISCO with DJ Kenzie Clarke, DJ Kenzie Clarke, DJ Trevor at Lucky Bar
8:00 PM
GALEN HARTLEY AND SARA MARREIROS at The Superior
10 Sep 2010
sub|division SLUGABED, ILLUM SPHERE, BLUE DAISY at Lucky Bar
The Paperboys at Hermann's Jazz Club
8:00 PM
KEN HALL "SAFFRON" at The Superior
11 Sep 2010
Yiddish Columbia State Orchestra at Hermann's Jazz Club
7:30 PM
Arise with a twee bit of reggae spins to start at Black Stilt Coffee Lounge on Hillside
