Archive for June, 2012

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Granny and Family.

Saturday, June 30th, 2012
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Ten members of J-pod were seen along the eastern side of Saturna Island in Canadian waters today (48°45.2071N, 123°06.9784W).  The whales were spread out and traveling north.  J2 “Granny”, the 101 year old matriarch, was identified among the group.   Also L87 “Onyx” was seen traveling with the whales. Although, male orcas generally stay with their mothers and members of their own pod, Onyx is often observed traveling with members of J-pod.  Whales were surface active and lobtailing and one whale even breached.  Yay Whales!

Amy, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours

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J POD

Friday, June 29th, 2012
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Upon departing Friday Harbor, Captain Craig heard reports of whales traveling south from Lime Kiln Point State Park; we caught up with the whales just west of Eagle Cove (48°27.92N, 123°04.29W) at the southern end of San Juan Island.

Eight members of J-pod were spread out and traveling east along the coastline. J26 “Mike”, a 21 year old male was traveling with his mother J16 “Slick” who was born in 1972. In general, male killer whales stay with their mothers their entire lives, only briefly leaving her and the pod to mate with females from different pods. Needless to say, these males bring a whole new meaning to the term “Mama’s boy.” We also saw J14 “Samish” a 38 year old female.

Although the whales were primarily traveling they were surface active and did exhibit other behaviors including acrobatics. A calf breached not once, not twice, but FIVE different times. Another whale turned over on her back and then slapped the surface with her tail while upside down. 

Sunshine, calms seas, and whales, what a lovely day!

Amy, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours

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Whale Report, June 28, 2012:

Thursday, June 28th, 2012
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Today was another great day amongst our Southern Residents! We found members of J and K pods spread out in the strait, in groups of 3 or less, between Salmon Bank and False Bay (Haro Strait 48°27.07N, 123°04.02W). Some were foraging, some were resting, while others just appeared to be milling around in the calm seas.

After riding alongside one group, we would switch off to another, paying each small group a visit. We even saw a few adult breaches, which ironically occurred just after the rarity of such behavior was explained, giving everyone a little chuckle! Once everyone got some good looks and great shots, we huddled around an orca survey and successfully identified Shachi (J19), Racer (L72), and Onyx (L87). Case closed.

On our way back we were fortunate enough to witness a Minke Whale on the hunt, just south of Salmon Bank. The large whale took multiple lunges at a bait ball causing birds to go flying and guests to break out in laughter.

Couldn’t ask for much more than these amazing views, fun investigations, and shared moments of laughter!

Naturalist Tara and Shelly, San Juan Safaris

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Whale Report June 27

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012
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With reports of Resident Orcas on the west side of San Juan Island and Transient Orcas north of Stuart Island, it was a tough call on which direction to take. Fortunately, heading north to search for Transients turned out to be a great choice! At Blundand Island (Gulf Islands, BC) we caught up to about 8 or more tightly grouped whales (48°43’86N 123°10’9W), including T102, that seemed to be slowly moving along the island until something kicked a pair into action and they repeatedly porpoised along the island, took a long dive, then surfaced along with the rest of the group.

Harbor porpoises were everywhere today – milling in San Juan Channel and in Boundary Pass.

We also watched Bald Eagles perched, as they kept an eye on their territory at Cactus Islands, along with one spotted on the flag pole at the end of Stuart Island, and another 2 at Flat Top Island. One was even perched on top of the National Wildlife Refuge sign. We also saw two Great Blue Herons at John’s Island.

Another great day on the water; sunny skies, glass-like seas, and excellent wildlife viewing!

Naturalists Tara, Kristen, and Shelly; San Juan Safaris

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Morning Charter

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012
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I experienced something new and beautiful today. We had a service at sea during the first part of a charter trip this morning. Not much to say except that we were honored to be a part of it. After which we headed north, first slowing by Spieden Island looking for muflon sheep and deer, but seeing a few harbor seals resting on the rocky shore and a group of harbor porpoises surfacing in front of our boat!

We then went around the top of San Juan Island and saw our first killer whale just off Henry Island, traveling north west (48 35.480′N 123 12.887′W). There were two of them and they seemed to be proposing out of the water and traveling fast. We then noticed we could see dorsal fins off in every direction. We spotted two large males, one of which was L-92 “Crewser,” and also around was L-41 “Mega” and L-26 “Baba.” After watching them for some time, and cruising across the US border into Canadian waters, we took the scenic route back to Friday Harbor, going between Stuart and Johns Island and the eastern side of Spieden. Truly a beautiful day all around.

Second trip out today and more orcas! About 8 members of J-Pod, including J-26, J-27, and the J-16′s were tightly grouped and slowly moving north at 48.45.9N and 123.19.2W, just above Moat Point, Pender Island, BC. We were also treated to at least 6 sightings of  Bald Eagles, adults and juveniles, flying low over the bow, perched in snags, on the rocks (with a Turkey Vulture) in various spots along Stuart Island.

Kristen, Tara, Shelly; Naturalists, San Juan Safaris

 

 

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Southern Resident Killer Whales!

Monday, June 25th, 2012
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Members of J-Pod were seen off of South Pender Island today.  The whales were spread out and moving in an easterly direction.  Several individuals were very surface active: spy hopping, lob tailing, rolling over, and even breaching!  There were also a number of mature males including J26, “Mike.”  After spending some time with J-Pod, Captain Jim heard reports of L-Pod off Turn Point on Stuart Island (48°42.140 N, 123°15.687 W).  Again the whales were spread out and traveling in an easterly direction.  Among members of L-Pod, was L41 “Mega” a 35-year-old male!  So, not only did we see whales from one pod today, we ended up seeing two different pods of the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale population!  What a special day!

Naturalist Amy, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours

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Point Roberts and Orca Whales

Monday, June 25th, 2012
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Sunset Whale Watching Tour off Point Roberts photo by Gues John Mc Cormick

Sunset Whale Watching Tour off Point Roberts photo by Gues John Mc Cormick

Captain Mike and I found J-pod up by Pt Roberts this evening.
We saw Granny as well as several other members
including Mike (J-26).
Mike ended up doing a full body breach
three times in a row!
It was AMAZING!
Everyone was happy and had a great time.
Naturalist, Amy

 

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Who Doesn’t Love Cookies

Sunday, June 24th, 2012
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Canada was our destination today, so we left Friday Harbor heading north fast. The longer trip was well worth it though. We spotted at least fifteen members of J-pod just off the west side of North Pender (48°48.22’N 123°19.93’W) traveling north. The whales were very close, almost on top of each other—true family bonding! We identified members of both the J-22’s including “Oreo” (J-22)and her son “Cookie” (J-38), the J-17’s including “Princess Angeline” (J-17) and her daughter “Polaris” (J-28), along with some other J’s “Samish” (J-14) and her son” Riptide” (J-30).
These whales were especially playful today: breaching, cartwheeling, spy hopping, lob tailing, rolling over, and swimming sideways were just a few of the amazing behaviors we witnessed. The cookie family seemed to be showing a lot more dough than their chocolate chip side today. :)

~Tara and Kristen, Naturalists, San Juan Safaris

 

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“Slick” Vocalizations

Saturday, June 23rd, 2012
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It was all about the killer whales today as we left Friday Harbor heading south, but we did see a large group of harbor seals hauled out on a rocky island on the way. After rounding Cattle Point heading around the west side of the island, we spotted two members of J-pod just outside False Bay. It was an adult female and a smaller whale that looked like a calf.

The whales were traveling south but stopped moving and started to dive and surface in one spot. We turned off the boat to watch and see what they were up to. Then, we saw the white underside of the calf’s head followed by a squeaky sound. The whale was vocalizing above water! That is something I’ve never experienced before! The whole boat was silent and focused until the female, who we identified as J-16 or “Slick”, changed direction and surprised us by surfacing near our boat’s stern. The smaller calf followed, both sticking around for quite some time. It was amazing! After they swam away we circumnavigated San Juan Island before heading back to the harbor. Definitely one of my best days!

~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris

 

 

 

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Transient Orca Whales!

Friday, June 22nd, 2012
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Upon departing Friday Harbor, our guests were eager to suit-up in the bright yellow rain slickers we provide onboard; a little rain was not going to stop this group from having a wonderful time.  So, with a pair of binoculars in hand, a sense of adventure in our hearts, and a boat full of positive attitudes, we were ready to see what the day would bring and boy, we were not disappointed!   

Having heard reports of whale activity, Captain Craig took us east through Upright Channel and around the north end of Lopez Island where we found 6 Transient Orca Whales surfacing and traveling together in Swifts Bay on the northeast side of the island. There were 2 large males and 2 youngsters in the pod.  The whales would surface 3-4 times before diving for several minutes.  Transient Killer Whales tend to be stealthier than the fish-eating Resident whales, because they hunt intelligent prey (marine mammals), so they did keep us guessing in which direction to look as they would surface somewhere new after each dive.

The whales then began to slowly travel south towards Thatchers Pass.  Again they would surface a few times in close proximity with each other before diving for several minutes but they were more predictably traveling in an easterly direction allowing us to anticipate in which direction to look and providing even better viewing and photo opportunities. 

After leaving the whales we headed west between Shaw Island and Orcas Island, taking in the beautiful scenery and picking out a few of our dream homes.  As we approached Spieden Island at least 10 Harbor Porpoise were foraging in the highly productive waters off Green Point.  As we motored along the length of the island we captured great views of the Mouflon Sheep and even saw a few Sika Deer.  As we rounded Sentinel Island several Harbor Seals were swimming in the water, taking curious looks at us before diving, while at least 20 seals were resting unfazed by the rain.  It was then time to head back to Friday Harbor but not before we saw a bald eagle perched on top of a tree on the southwest corner of Sentinel Island. 

So, the lesson for today is: DO NOT let a little rain scare you away from a whale watching and wildlife tour in the San Juan Islands!  

Amy, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours

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