May 5th, 2012
The sun was shining high in the sky as we left Friday Harbor this afternoon. We headed south, far south, enjoying the natural beauty of the islands along the way. At 48o 10.80’N 122 o 59.70’W, off shore between Dungeness Spit and Port Angeles, we spotted our first blow. It was the Southern Resident killer whales. The Orcas were spread out all around us. We watched as they milled around in groups of two to four individuals, diving and blowing, their dorsal fins cutting through the water. What a sight! After spending some time with the whales it was time to make the long journey back. But time did not stop us from viewing two bald eagles on Long Island, a group of Steller sea lions on whale rocks, and gulls and cormorants on Goose Island. We couldn’t have asked for a better day!
Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, cormorants, friday harbor, goose island, gulls, Long Island, Orcas, Port Angeles, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller Sea Lion, Whale Rocks
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
May 4th, 2012
With early news of orca spottings, today’s tour headed north towards the U.S./Canadian international border. Once we reached Turn Point we saw a few boats in the area and began our search. Within a quick ten minutes we had spotted two members of J-pod, our southern residents, and were able to follow them, watching them mill around and rise above the water’s surface.
After about twenty minutes we moved on with our search and headed back southwest. It only took a couple hundred yards until we saw the next group, and from then on it seemed as though the boat became part of the pod itself. You could view multiple groups from J-pod, with about 3-4 individuals each, in all directions. It was a great feeling to be one with the pod! Everyone was fascinated and fingers were pointing in all directions passengers yelling, “Oh look, over there! Over there! And over there!” One whale in particular, was even a bit curious, and did a small Spy Hop rising vertically out of the water, head first, allowing us to see the entire upper half of his body! It was a great day for whales, but that’s not all….
On our way back around the Spieden Island we were able to see all kinds of wildlife including Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, Cormorants, Steller Sea Lions, Sika Deer, and Mouflon Sheep. The weather was nice, the water was nice, and the wildlife was nice. What a trip!
Naturalist, Tara
Tags: Bald Eagles, Brants Cormorants, cormorants, double crested cormorants, friday harbor whale watchin, Harbor Seals, j pod, Mouflon Sheep, Orcas, pelagic cormorants, Sika Deer, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Spieden Island, spy hop, Steller Sea Lions
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
May 3rd, 2012
Today we were lucky enough to see a variety of pinniped species. Just outside of Friday Harbor was an unusual sight. There was a California sea lion hauled out on a buoy! It was the first time I’ve seen a California sea lion since I started last year! After getting a good look, we made our way to Spieden Island where there was a large group of at least six Steller sea lions were relaxing on the rocks. Along Spieden we spotted mouflon sheep and sika deer, as well as a juvenile bald eagle perched high in a tree and an adult bald eagle on the ground clutching the remains of a fish. We then headed towards Mandarte Island to check out the nesting cormorants and gulls. Then, on our way back though Stuart and John’s Island we spotted several harbor seals swimming through a bed of bull kelp.
Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, bull kelp, California Sea Lion, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, Mouflon Sheep, Sika Deer, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Stuart Island
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
May 2nd, 2012
Another great day out on the water! Following a similar route around Spieden Island, through the Cactus Islands, and channel between Stewart and John’s Islands we saw a lot of great wildlife! Stellars were enjoying the sun, belly up in the water at Spieden point, and numerous Harbor Seals were catching the rays on any rock space available between Spieden and Mandarte. We also saw about 5 or so Bald Eagles along the tops of the tree line. Once we came around the northwestern point of Stewart Island our Captain caught a quick glimpse of what appeared to be a porpoise, so we cut the motor and were able to catch a good showing of about 3 or 4 Harbor Porpoises milling around. We then rounded Mandarte to check out the gulls, geese, and Cormorants and headed back along the southern side of Spieden. There we found multiple Sika Deer and Mouflan sheep. As we were passing back by the point, the Stellar Sea Lions appeared to be in the same location we left them so this time we were able to get an even closer look. On our way home it seemed as though the Harbor Seals couldn’t get enough of us as we continued to see them swimming nearby all the way into Friday Harbor.
Naturalist Tara
Tags: Bald Eagles, Cactus Islands, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Mandarte, Mouflon Sheep, Sika Deer, Spieden Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
May 1st, 2012
Today was my first day back in the Salish Sea and it didn’t disappoint! We started our trip heading north out of Friday Harbor. It was sunny and the seas were calm, which made for smooth sailing. We seemed to spot bald eagles everywhere, perched in trees and flying about. Along Spieden Island we came across a group of at least five huge Steller Sea Lions leisurely rolling around in the water. Further along in our journey we caught a long glimpse of harbor seals hauled out on a small rock. The rock was so crowded with the harbor seals that from a distance they looked like rocks. It wasn’t until we came a bit closer that we noticed they were moving. Mixed in the group were at least two small pups! We rounded Stuart Island and checked out Mandarte Island where cormorants, geese, and gulls were nesting. We then started to make our way back and stopped to look at the many mouflon sheep and fallow deer that were lining the hills and rocky coast of Spieden before getting back into Friday Harbor. It was a great first day back!
Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, Fallow Deer, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, Mouflon Sheep, san juan island, Spieden Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
April 30th, 2012
Almost left a naturalist at the dock today! With the winds prevailing, the naturalist wasn’t quite fast enough to get on board once she let the lines loose. Luckily the captain came back to pick her up at the “Spring Street Landing” dock. With all on board we headed out through the San Juan Channel. A light drizzle and sun-teasing skies had the crowd curious. We arrived at the first stop on the north side of Spieden Island and found one lonely Steller Sea Lion. Traveling our way through the channel between Stuart and Jones Island, wildlife was scarce and the crowd grew anxious. Mother Nature could tell we needed a little excitement so she whipped up a large gust of wind and off flew a fender, right from the top of the boat. With the water as choppy as it was, it seemed we had lost her for good. High winds and choppy seas are very unusual around the San Juan Islands April through October. We headed out towards Morsbey Island where we saw a few Harbor Porpoises and the excitement grew.
Next stop, Mandarte Island. The bird sanctuary was highly active with Cormorants and gulls. As we made our way further into Canada and past Sidney there were no Orcas in sight, even though we had a solid report of transients around 10:00 AM.
We headed back to the southern side of Spieden for a little more wildlife viewing. Sitka Deer and Mouflon Sheep were interspersed along the hillside. Little fawns were spotted, causing a few of the passengers to grow soft. As we approached the very end of the island we caught one last glimpse of excitement. 8 or so Bald Eagles were feeding on what appeared to be a baby Sika Deer carcass. Just in time for dinner!
All-in-all, it was another great day aboard the Sea Lion!
Naturalists Tara and Colleen and Captain Mike
Tags: Bald Eagle, Harbor Porpoise, Jones Island, Mouflon Sheep, Orcas, San Juan Channel, Sika Deer, Spieden Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Stuart Island, Transient Orcas
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
April 29th, 2012
We saw everything and it felt like we went everywhere today.
After being on the water for over an hour a whale report came to Capt. Bill that the whales were in Haro Straight near Canada paralell with the Lime Kiln light house. Leaving Speiden Island we headed back to Haro Strait and caught up with a group of approximately 6 Transient Orcas whales near Kelp Reef. This made the tour run much longer than our regular 3 hours – but all the guests thought it was well worth it.
Naturalist Shelly
San Juan Safaris Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours
Tags: Bald Eagle, Harbor Seal, Haro Strait, Orca whale, Spieden Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
April 28th, 2012
Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, and ORCAS, OH MY!
As we left the harbor we traveled north through the San Juan Channel to Spieden Island where two large Stellar Sea Lions were hauled out on the rocks. Six other sea lions swam along the shore surfacing, rolling, and diving in succession as if performing synchronized swimming acrobatics. As we continued down the coast we had great views of the Mouflon sheep and Sika deer including some wee babes. Roughly 40 harbor seals were seen resting on a small rocky outcrop just off Spieden Island.
THEN Captain Craig received a call on his cell phone with information on the location of Orca whales. We made an immediate U-turn, traveled back down through San Juan Channel and to the Southern end of the San Juan Island to reach the whales.
We found transient Orca Whales at the southern end of Lopez Island today (48°24’9″N, 122°53’31″W). Seven transient whales, including T049C, were observed resting at the surface and traveling slowly within close proximity to each other. This provided us with a wonderful viewing opportunity of these stealthy whales. We were with them for nearly an hour and they stayed in that general area the entire time.
The trip wasn’t over yet. Captain Craig found us bald eagles near a nest and another Steller sea lion haul-out with about twenty animals sharing, and a few grumbling over, the close quarters.
Naturalists Colleen and Amy
San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: Bald Eagles, Harbor Seal, Lopez Island, Mouflon Sheep, Orca whale, Spieden Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Transient Orcas
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
April 27th, 2012
Calm seas, sunshine, and ORCAS!
Upon leaving the harbor we traveled along the eastside of San Juan Island and found members of the J-Pod at the southern end of the island. For much of our encounter, the whales were spread out over a large distance but would then regroup and spend time within close proximity of each other.
Whales were traveling, milling, and exhibited foraging behavior, although no fish were seen. We heard amazing vocalizations using our underwater hydrophone; squeaks, squeals and percussive sounds.
Today we identified a group of Brants (geese) near the whales, along with 3 Surf Scoters near Goose Island, and some of our regulars, Cormorants and Pigeon Guillemots
After viewing the whales, we cruised over to the southern end of Lopez Island where harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and a two California sea lions were hauled out along the shoreline.
Not only did we see bald eagles but Captain Craig found us two different eagles nests, one with an adult eagle and at least one eaglet resting in the nest.
A very memorable day out here in the beautiful San Juan Islands.
Whale Watch Naturalists Colleen and Amy
Tags: Bald Eagle, Harbor Seal, j pod, Lopez Island, Orcas, san juan island, Steller\'s Sea Lion
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
April 26th, 2012
Another beautiful sunny day in the San Juan Islands.
We saw several members of the J-pod including J2 “Granny” the 100 year old matriarch. After viewing the whales we motored through Mosquito Pass into Roche Harbor where a number of seabird species were observed including surf scoters, rhinoceros auklets, pelagic cormorants and pigeon guillemot
We ended our day traveling along Spieden Island where harbor seals and Steller sea lions were hauled out basking in the sunshine while 11 bald eagles soared in the skies above.
Naturalists, Amy and Colleen
April 26, 2012 Whale Watch Tour Route
Tags: Bald Eagle, friday harbor, Harbor Seal, Haro Strait, j pod, Mouflon Sheep, Orca whale, San Juan Channel, Sika Deer, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Stuart Island
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off