Posts Tagged ‘Bald Eagle’
Monday, May 14th, 2012
Minke whales are one of the most underrated cetacean species. No one ever says “let’s go whale watching for minke’s.” But if you’ve had the opportunity to actually see a minke whale, you’d think they were not only beautiful animals, but pretty darn cool as well.
Well today we had that opportunity! We left Friday Harbor headed south towards Hine Bank. It was absolutely beautiful! Warm, sunny, and the ocean surface was as smooth as glass. Along the way we were able to see a large group of harbor seals hauled out on a rocky island and a few harbor porpoises. As we reached Hine Bank, coordinates 48 degrees 20.80 minutes N, 123 degrees 04.089 minutes W, we slowed to almost a stop. Minke whales are difficult to spot because they have a low blow, a small dorsal fin, and if there are waves they tend to block our view. But, we definitely had no trouble today as a minke surfaced right ahead of our boat! And because the water was so flat we saw more of the body than I’d ever seen before.
We spent some time watching that lone minke surface and dive methodically around our boat before heading back towards Salmon Bank. Again, it didn’t take very long before we spotted two more minke whales! (Coordinates 48 degrees 24.53 minutes N, 122 degrees 59.06 minutes W). Their blows were audible and their smooth, rounded backs sliced through the glassy water again and again, keeping us mesmerized.
Heading back to San Juan Island gave us more wildlife viewing opportunities. Before docking we saw a lone Steller sea lion hauled out on whale rocks, and finally a beautiful bald eagle perched on top of Long Island that took flight just as we were pulling away. It was a truly amazing day!
Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seal, Hine Bank, Long Island, minke whale, Salmon Bank, san juan island, Steller Sea Lions, whale watching tour
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Saturday, May 12th, 2012
Because there had been a report of Minke Whales (plural, not singular usually out solo), Captain Craig made up his mind that we were going to see whales no matter how far we had to go. On the way south down the east side of San Juan Island we did make a brief stop to look at 2 mature bald eagles. One was in its nest.
A bit further south of San Juan Island on a rock outcropping there were 6 or more big Stellar Sea Lions having a nap. We stopped to look at them then took off towards Iceberg Point. We traveled at about 16 knots for at least another ½ hour. It was so clear today guests were photographing Mt. Baker, the Olympic Mountains and the Cascade Mts.
We met up with 2 other boats already out in the area looking for the whales. Minkes do not spend much time at the surface at all – so one must keep their eyes moving over the water alert to the small dorsal fin. We stayed in the area about ½ an hour to watch them surface 3 times. We were Lat.48.21.9 – Long.122.56.72
The Captain received word that Transient Orca Whales were around, but we would need to boat at least an additional 30 minutes to get there. Off we went again. We arrived on scene at Lat. 48.12.57 – Long. 123.15.29. At first we did not see anything, then after 10 minutes – whale breath and dorsal fins. We counted 6 Transient Killer Whales. We believe that T-113 was amongst them. There was not a pattern to their movement and they did not appear to be hunting.
This tour was unusual in many regards. Minke Whales, seen infrequently. Transient Orca Whales in the same tour. A tour that took 4.5 hours to complete (usually 3 hours). And picture perfect weather. It was nothing short of magnificent.
You should have been there,
Naturalist Colleen
San Juan Safaris Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour
Tags: Bald Eagle, friday harbor, friday harbor whale watching, hein bank, iceberg point, minke whales, Orca whale, san juan island whale watching, Transient Orcas, whale watching canad
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Friday, May 11th, 2012
Today was amazing! Before the boat even left the slip, we saw a curious little harbor seal poke his head out of the water to check us out. Then, we actually left Friday Harbor and headed north towards Spieden Island where we saw mouflon sheep at the southern point. Along the island there was a group of sika deer right by the water’s edge, and a couple of babies running along next to their mothers. At the end of Spieden there was a bald eagle perched at the top of the tallest tree. Our next stop was Mandarte Island to check out the gull and cormorant nests. Just as we passed, we spotted harbor porpoises on either side of the boat. Some were porpoising out of the water! Not something we usually see from them!
We got really lucky just as we reached Turn Point, a humpback whale was spotted north of East Point! It was decision time; continue our course, or extend our trip and go for it. We decided to go for it and headed further north. And was it worth it! The humpback whale blew magnificently in the distance. We watched as it surfaced a few times before flashing its fluke in a fluke up dive. After what seemed like not time, we had to turn back to San Juan Island.
Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, East Point, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Humpback Whale, Mandarte, Mouflon Sheep, san juan island, Sika Deer, Spieden Island, Turn Point
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Wednesday, May 9th, 2012
A day of adventure here in the San Juan Islands. We departed on flat, calm water cruising north through the San Juan Channel when we heard reports of killer whales on the west side of the island near Kellet Bluff. We found the whales 1.5 miles offshore from Lime Kiln Point (48°32.49’N, 123°10.71’W).
The whales were members of J-Pod. They were spread out, and cruising along the coast headed south. A member of the L-Pod, L87 “Onyx”, was also seen among the J’s. Unfortunately the seas were deteriorating and the whales were headed into rougher waters, unusual for San Juan Islands, so we turned around and headed back to more sheltered waters. Even with the rougher seas we still had a great view of the whales. Thanks Captain Mike!
Back in calm waters we headed into the San Juan Channel and motored along the coast of Spieden Island. Over 60 Harbor Seals were hauled out on a rock just off the island while an immature Bald Eagle perched on a rock above. What a great photo opportunity! We then had wonderful views of the Sika deer and Mouflon sheep foraging on the hillside while a few mature bald eagles soared in the skies overhead. At the west end of the island a Stellar Sea Lion swam in the waters surfacing to capture glimpses of us while a California sea lion was hauled out on the rocky shore, seeming oblivious to our presence.
All smiles here in the San Juan Islands.
Naturalist, Amy
Tags: Bald Eagle, Harbor Seal, j pod, L pod, Mouflon Sheep, orca whales, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller\'s Sea Lion
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Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
Today’s trip we began by heading west through the San Juan and Shaw Channels. As we passed between Lopez Island and San Juan Island we stopped at a rock that was covered on one half with Steller Sea Lions and the other half with Harbor Seals. There was also a lone Bald Eagle present, overlooking the rock. The passengers were thrilled!
We then looped around San Juan to the west side and were able to catch up with four individuals from J-Pod. There was one large male, a female, and two calves. As we traveled with the group along the shoreline, just past East Point, they milled around, and the calves began breaching a few times here and there!
After about 15 minutes they changed direction and immediately gained speed heading north. We were forunate enought to travel with them for a few more miles and in that time, the large male even breached! It was a very moving experience and one could tellthat our guests really began to feel beside themselves.
We then continued on our way north and around to the other side of the island. Once we got to Spieden Island, we saw the two groups of ungulates that inhabit the island; Sika Deer and Mouflon Sheep.
Today we caught all the wildlife possible and the guests left the boat with some of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen!
Naturalist, Tara
Tags: Bald Eagle, Breaching, Harbor Seals, j pod, Lopez Island, Mouflon Sheep, San Juan Channel, san juan island, Shaw Channel, Sika Deer, Spieden Island, Steller Sea Lions
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Monday, 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
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Sunday, 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
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Friday, 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
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Thursday, 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
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Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
Leaving Friday Harbor under solid grey skies, a damp drizzle, no wind, very calm seas, and a last minute report that Transient Orcas were on the west side of San Juan Island, we headed north and quickly made our way to the west side via Spieden Channel in anticipation of running into the northern-bound whales.
It wasn’t until Pile Point though, before we caught up with 3 of the T-100’s, including T101 and T102 (48°28’N, 123°05’W), traveling south from Pile Point off the west side of San Juan Island. Another group of Transients were reported behind us (6 or 7). We stayed with the T-100’s till the Salmon Banks buoy before heading towards Cattle Pass and home. A stop at Whale Rocks gave us great viewing of hauled out Stellar Sea lions covering one end, while several more milled about in the water. And, just like yesterday, we found several groups of Harbor Porpoises foraging in San Juan Channel, between Lopez Island and Turn Island. It was also a great day for viewing Bald Eagles. We found them perched in tree tops, posed on the top of rocks, and even one sitting on a rocky beach on the north end of San Juan Island.
Another perfect day in the Northwest!
Naturalist Shelly and Captain Mike
Tags: Bald Eagle, Bald Eagles, Cattle Pass, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Haro Strait, Orca whale, orca whales, Orcas, Rhinocerus Auklets, San Juan Channel, san juan islands, San Juan Safaris, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Transient Orcas, whale watching near seattle, whale watching tour
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