Jackie Hildering

Fear and mythology thrive in absence of knowledge

The Kraken?! Devilfish?! Scary?! Dangerous?! Alien?!

Whale researchers launch a marine “hexacopter” to garner a bird’s-eye view of killer whales. The lightweight drone captures high-quality video allowing researchers to infer the fitness of the mammals without disturbing them.

Tech aids research

Whale researchers utilize drones to capture eye-in-the-sky footage of killer whales.

Whale researchers launch a marine “hexacopter” to garner a bird’s-eye view of killer whales. The lightweight drone captures high-quality video allowing researchers to infer the fitness of the mammals without disturbing them.
A hooded Oriole, rarely seen as far north as Canada, has spent the winter in Port McNeill.

Birds of a feather bring birders together

Jackie Hildering reports on the unusual visitors to the North Island which have birders twitching.

A hooded Oriole, rarely seen as far north as Canada, has spent the winter in Port McNeill.
Dr. Michael Bigg

Making a Bigg difference

Jackie Hildering explains the contributions to marine biology made by Dr. Michael Bigg.

Dr. Michael Bigg
A pair of wolf eels peer out from their den in the waters off North Vancouver Island.

Wolf Eel – No Ugly Fish!

The Marine Detective
 by Jackie Hildering takes at look at the Wolf Eel.

A pair of wolf eels peer out from their den in the waters off North Vancouver Island.
Map references

Tidal turbines in whale epicenter? Hell, no!

Jackie Hildering expresses concert over an application that could lead to turbines being built in whale habitat.

Map references

Where are the whales? is the endless question

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked that question,

Might as well jump, and jump, and jump …

When serving as a marine naturalist, one of the questions I am most often asked about whales is: “Why do they jump?”

A humpback, nicknamed KC,  breaches in the waters near Campbell River last month.

Identifying jumping giants

Many local readers likely took note of a remarkable photograph of a humpback whale breaching in front of Campbell River.

A humpback, nicknamed KC,  breaches in the waters near Campbell River last month.
ID shot of a mature male offshore on March 27.Photo taken for research purposes by J. Hildering (telephoto lens).

Mysterious offshore orcas visit Port McNeill’s Harbour

A group of 12 offshore killer whales was extremely active right in front of the community of Port McNeill, British Columbia; even repeatedly spyhopping (popping their heads out of the water). To have whales this visible near your home is a great gift but, all the more remarkable is that these were very mysterious, threatened whales.

ID shot of a mature male offshore on March 27.Photo taken for research purposes by J. Hildering (telephoto lens).

A glass half full

You win some and you lose some . . . or do you?