Archive for July, 2012
Tuesday, July 31st, 2012
We were greeted with beautiful weather out on the water today: seas like glass, sunny, and clear. Perfect for spotting minke whales, and that’s just what we were looking for. Off the south end of San Juan Island, around Salmon Bank (48º24.977’N 122º 57.291’ W), we came across at least three or four minke whales. Two of which were traveling right next to each other! Baleen whales typically travel individually in feeding grounds, so seeing two, twenty-five foot whales surface one after the other, multiple times was quite a sight! Also during this trip we saw four bald eagles, dozens of harbor seals both on land and in the water, cormorants, common murres, rhinoceros auklets, and a large steller’s sea lion swimming around.
~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, minke whale, Salmon Bank, san juan island, Steller Sea Lions
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Monday, July 30th, 2012
Another Minke Whale southeast of Lopez Island, a couple miles offshore, Rosario Strait (48°21.55’N 122°48.78’W).
Captain Mike, also known as “Minke Mike”, was the first to spot him and soon after, the fleet moved in. This whale seemed a bit distant at first, luring us into the strait, but eventually turned around and gave us some play, coming up between boats and surfacing multiple times. Patience is key 
On our way back, we took a nice scenic cruise around the southern tip of Lopez, passing by Castle Island, Blind Island, and Swirl Island. We also stopped by Long Island to look at the bald eagles and their nest, along with Whale Rocks to check out some Stellers.
What a day!
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, Blind Island, Castle Island, Long Island, Lopez Island, minke whale, Rosario Strait, Steller Sea Lions, Swirl Island, Whale Rocks
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Sunday, July 29th, 2012
Just south of Salmon Bank, about 2-3 miles offshore of San Juan Island, we came across a Minke on a mission (48°22.9’ N, 122°55.9’W). This Minke was on the hunt, moving from bait ball to bait ball, no fish left behind. After only a few minutes of watching him, it became almost predictable as to where he would pop up next; just look for the birds man!! Between dining episodes, the whale would immediately pick up its’ pace surfacing multiple times toward the next meal in sight. It’s not typical to see these whales so surface active, but this Minke was on a mission, its’ longest dives lasting only 2 minutes!
After enjoying the Minke and some sunshine we headed back for Friday Harbor looping around Long Island and Whale Rocks. On Long Island we discovered a mating pair of bald eagles along with their GIANT nest. At Whale Rocks we found 5 male Stellar Sea Lions hauled out, along with a female and even a pup! As we began to round Brown Island we thought our tour was coming to an end, but wouldn’t ya know it, another Minke Whale popped up out of nowhere, just outside the harbor.
What a day for whales and wildlife!
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, Brown Island, friday harbor, Long Island, minke whale, Salmon Bank, san juan island, stellar sea lions, Whale Rocks
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Saturday, July 28th, 2012
We had calm seas and a bright sunny day, perfect for wildlife watching! We departed Friday Harbor heading south, stopping to view harbor seals in the water and hauled out, as well as a bald eagle perched high in the tree tops. There were more seals around Goose Island, plus cormorants, gulls, and a large stellar sea lion playing in the bull kelp. Then, around whale rocks we saw three massive male steller sea lions hauled out on the rocks. One even started growling! It was awesome to hear.
Not much further south, between Lopez and San Juan Island we spotted three killer whale dorsal fins. It was the K-13’s. Not too far from them was a large male, who we recognized as L-87 or Onyx. The whales started traveling along the west coast of the island. We got spectacular views of them, especially when one spy hopped! They were spreading out along the coast, giving us the opportunity to see whales all over. As they continued on, we turned back and took another look at whale rocks, where six steller sea lions were now soaking up some sun. We realized one was a juvenile male who was significantly smaller than the others. What a beautiful afternoon with lots of wildlife!
~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, K Pod, killer whales, L pod, Lopez Island, Orcas, san juan island, Steller Sea Lions
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Friday, July 27th, 2012
Today we met up with 7-8 members of J-Pod on the southwest side of Mayne Island (Canada) headed north for Active Pass (48°50.93’N, 123°20.55’W). They were resting, traveling in a tight-knit group, surfacing in unison for a few breaths, and then taking deep dives for a few moments. In this group we identified Blackberry (J27), Doublestuf (J34), and Princess Angeline (J17). We left them headed north around 3:30 PM in hopes of finding more whales south for our evening cruise.
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Active Pass, canada, j pod, Mayne Island, Southern Resident Killer Whales
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Thursday, July 26th, 2012
The bright and glorious sun was out for our wildlife tour this afternoon. In addition to the warm sunshine, we enjoyed sights of Mt. Baker, seen through clouds off in the distance, and calm waters. Right away we spotted harbor seals and two bald eagles on the northeast side of San Juan Island. As we approached Whale Rock, three Northern Sea Lions (also known as Stellar Sea Lions) were observed. Two females were hauled out on the rock and another was swimming around the kelp bed. It is unique to see them this time of year, when so many are up north in Canada and Alaska. We travelled west near Eagle Point (48°26.7577N, 123°00.5170W) when a large dorsal fin appeared belonging to J27 “Blackberry”. Two other males were nearby, J26 “Mike” and J34 “Doublestuff”. These members of J-pod were actively hunting, circling through the water. We saw slapping of pectoral fins and flukes and could hear the splashes. J35 “Tahlequah” and her male calf J47 “Notch” were also foraging for food. It was incredible to see the orcas surface in synchronization and hear their exhalations. As we returned to Friday Harbor, we got another good view of the massive Northern Sea Lions. They looked quite comfortable lounging on the rocks. Many great photos and memories from today!
SJS Naturalist Jenny
Tags: Bald Eagles, Harbor Seal, j pod, Orcas, San Juan Safaris, Steller Sea Lions
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Wednesday, July 25th, 2012
What a glorious day; the sun was shining, the seas were calm, and the wildlife was plentiful.
Our tour began with a stop at Turn Point where a number of harbor seals were hauled out. It is pupping season and several pups were observed basking in the sunshine next to their mothers or swimming alongside them in the brisk, 49°F water. At Whale Rocks we found two male Steller Sea lions swimming between kelp patches. The Sea lions would surface and take a look at us before diving. One individual kept waving at us; he would hold one flipper out of the water at a time.
Near Salmon Bank, just south of San Juan Island, our Captain spotted a Minke Whale (48°25.10N, 122°58.03W)! Minke Whales are a baleen whale and approximately 30 feet in length. Salmon Bank is a very productive area and the Minke Whale was busy foraging. The whale seemed to be listening for bird activity at the surface indicating a bait ball of fish had formed. The whale would then come up from below and engulf the bait ball, scaring all the birds into flight. A very efficient foraging strategy; who wouldn’t want their own sous chef.
We also saw Rhinoceros Auklets, Cormorants, a mature Bald Eagle, a juvenile Bald Eagle, a Bald Eagle nest, a Great Blue Heron, Harbor Porpoise, Pigeon Guillemots, and some baby Gulls (aka big grey fluff balls). So fun!
Naturalist Amy, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: Bald Eagle, Harbor Seals, minke whale, Salmon Bank, Steller Sea Lions
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Tuesday, July 24th, 2012
Today we got to experience something a little different, but fun! It appeared as though the Southern Resident Killer Whales had left the Salish Sea for the day, so we went out looking for our other year-round residents, the Minke Whales. We headed south of Salmon Bank, eyeing each bait ball we passed, looking for that mysteriously small dorsal, yet long, almost ancient-looking body. We saw our first one a couple miles offshore (48.24.14N 122.57.78W) and within minutes saw another about 1000 yards in the opposite direction. We eventually designated that there were 3 different Minkes in the area.
The small dorsal of the Minke Whale is very misleading to its size and often the species is underappreciated. Today however, they really got to shine, and our guests couldn’t have been more thrilled. Part of the fun in watching these whales is not knowing when or where they will come up next. We got a lot of great looks though, on all sides of the boat, and we even got to see a few birds fly……not by choice that is……a Minke Whale had come up and lunged right at their bait ball, taking away the fish they had accumulated for lunch. Smart whale
On our way back in, we saw 2 more Minke Whales near Cattle Pass along with a Steller Sea Lion who had climbed his way up onto a rocky islet. So great to see the Sea Lions returning!
Another great day on the water!
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Cattle Pass, minke whale, Salmon Bank, Steller Sea Lion
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Monday, July 23rd, 2012
Lots of wildlife today! First we saw about a dozen harbor seals just south of Friday Harbor, hauled up on the rocks. Then, at whale rocks we came across some pelagic cormorants, more harbor seals, plus a huge male stellar sea lion, a very rare sight for this time of year!
Continuing around towards the west side of San Juan Island, we came across at least seven killer whales. Both members of J and L pod were around. We identified L-86 “Onyx,” J-16 “Slick,” and L-92 “Crewser.” The whales were milling about, not in a hurry to go one direction or the other. We had amazing views of their white saddle and eye patches, especially when one orca spy hopped, bringing its head out of the water!
We then continued to circumnavigate the island, slowing just outside Roche Harbor where we saw a harbor seal aggressively foraging for food, two bald eagles, a great blue heron, and a turkey vulture! Not a bad way to end an amazing trip.
~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, j pod, killer whales, L pod, Orcas, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller\'s Sea Lion
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Sunday, July 22nd, 2012
A little “liquid sunshine” (what the locals call drizzle) did not keep us from a great wildlife tour today! First stop was a collection of harbor seals lounging in that liquid sunshine on a rock outcrop near Griffin Bay. We were on the lookout for some new pups, recently born, as this is pupping season! As we headed south out of Cattle Pass, we saw a large collection of birds including rhinoceros auklets and Heermann’s gulls feeding at the surface of the water. Then we saw the spray. Two minke whales were feeding nearby (48°25.432N, 122°57.013W). Minke whales commonly consume small fish and krill. After observing these mammals for a few minutes, we turned west in search of the largest member of the Delphinidae (dolphin) family, the ORCA! Three miles off Eagle Point of San Juan Island (48°24.816N, 123°52.887W), we saw several orcas actively feeding and diving. J26 “Mike” and J28 “Polaris” were out and about. L85 “Mystery” was also hunting for salmon. The residents were showing flukes– cartwheeling and tail slapping. Some spy-hopping was observed. Splashing and rolling too. We observed these endangered creatures for a bit, and then ventured back over to Long Island, just south of Lopez Island. Here we found a breeding pair of bald eagles with a juvenile bald eagle 20 feet away, sitting on the edge of the nest. Incredible! As we came around Whale Rock, a stellar sea lion was lounging in between the pelagic cormorants and gulls. It is unique to see stellar sea lions here in July, as this species of pinniped has traveled north into Canada and Alaska by June. At this point, it was time to return to Friday Harbor, but a great Sunday afternoon on the water.
SJS Naturalist Jenny
Tags: Bald Eagle, Cattle Pass, j pod, minke whale, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller Sea Lions
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