Oliver the Orca Series

West Coast Tales takes a snapshot of the inherent dangers in the everyday lives of the denizens of a small island on the west coast of Canada. First, the orca family experiences a wayward child during a hunting expedition as Oliver sets out to prove himself as a hunter.

Oliver is a young transient orca swimming with his family off the east coast of Vancouver Island, BC. One day, during a family hunting episode, he ignores his family and chases an otter on his own. In the process he tangles with a ferry boat and ends up injured and beached.

Oliver is a young orca who is restless. He leaves the protection of his family and sets off on a journey. On his travels north along the southern and eastern edges of Vancouver Island he faces challenges. First, he encounters the rejection of the southern resident orcas. Next, the seductive welcome of the northern resident orcas tempts him to join them. Then he faces the man-made dangers of plastic and speeding boats.

Gayle read an article in the newspaper about a whale who was tangled in fishing lines. The article described how the lines cut into the whale's mouth and how a professional rescue was carried out. Then Gayle began to wonder if Oliver and Haida were at risk for entanglement. This story is the result of her concerns. Gayle hopes this story will help children understand the dangers our marine animals face.

Join these two young orcas as they swim and drift along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Haida is still recovering from her near-fatal fishing-line entanglement, and she is expecting her first calf.

Haida is traveling with her family for their annual hunt in Hecate Strait. Near Haida Gwaii, her family encounters an oil spill with potentially lethal consequences. Haida and her family must survive this man-made disaster and then face the challenges of delivering her newborn and protecting him from predators.