Posts Tagged ‘Dall\’s Porpoise’
Saturday, October 6th, 2012
Another busy day on the water with all the familiar faces of the Salish Sea. In addition to watching Transient Killer Whales south of D’arcy Island, British Columbia (48°30.86N, 123°16.48W), we also came across a lone California Sea Lion (a rarity in the Salish Sea). He was floating with just his head, hind flippers, and one pectoral flipper out of the water, a strategy sea lions use to regulate their body temperature in these frigid 48°F waters. On our way home we picked up a large pod of Dall’s Porpoises. When Captain Craig slowed the boat to 7 knots, we watched their “rooster tail” splashes as they turned to converge on our bow. We were all in awe as we watched their chunky bodies of solid muscle zig zag around our bow and then breach to the side for a quick breath before taking another pass across our wake. I could watch those critters all day!
There were fewer Steller’s Sea Lions hauled out on Whale Rocks today, but more were milling in the water. We were impressed by a few individuals that were breaching completely out of the water.
As was the case for yesterday, the Transients we observed stayed in a tight, slow-moving formation as they performed approximately 5 minute foraging dives. We tried our best to parallel the group as they made their way in a southerly direction toward Victoria; however, after one long dive they popped up right alongside our boat. We shut down and listened to them breath and prepare for their next stealth dive. There were quite a few sport fisherman out on Salmon Bank today and we saw a few Harbor Seals emerge with fat salmon in their mouths. If the salmon are running, the Southern Residents Orcas may be close behind!
Naturalist Andrew
San Juan Safaris Whale Watching
Tags: British Columbia, California Sea Lions, D'Arcy Island, Dall\'s Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Salmon, Southern Resident Orcas, Steller's sea lions, Transient Killer Whales, Whale Rocks
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
Saturday, September 29th, 2012
Well whale watchers, it’s been a great season! Today was my final tour and a memorable one. We started off with a Minke Whale sighting in the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Salmon Bank. This whale couldn’t seem to get enough of the crowd, surfacing more times than I’ve ever seen a Minke Whale do so. After traveling with him for a while, we decided to head further west in search of more critters. We soon found 15+ Dall’s Porpoise just a couple miles offshore of Eagle Point. This was only the second time I’ve seen these animals in all the 5 months I’ve spent on the water here, so I was running around the boat squealing and pointing like a little kid at Disneyland. They eventually began to play with us, riding with the water of our bow and also in the wake of our stern. Simply awesome! We then headed for home, stopping by the eagles nest on Long Island where a mature Bald Eagle sat perched near the top of a tree just afore the nest and swung by Whale Rocks to see the massive mumbling and grumbling Steller Sea Lions.
It’s been a whale of a season to say the least, and I will deeply miss the water, the animals, the adventure, and most importantly the crew! But until next time my friends…
Signing off,
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, Dall\'s Porpoise, Eagle Point, minke whale, Salmon Bank, Steller's sea lions, Strait of Juan de Fuca
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
Tuesday, September 25th, 2012
The Salish Sea was once again teeming with marine mammals and seabirds. September is definitely proving to be my favorite month of the season; the scenery is breathtaking, the weather is gorgeous, and there seems to be a superabundance of wildlife taking advantage of these very productive waters.
As we cruised through the San Juan Channel and Cattle Pass we saw a number of Harbor Seals and Steller Sea Lions. The Steller Sea Lions seemed especially curious, pausing to take long looks at us before they continued their foraging efforts.
Roughly 1.5 miles offshore of San Juan Island near Salmon Bank we found a Minke Whale (48°25.39N, 122°59.35W). The Minke Whale was busy foraging, zigzagging over the bank in search for its next gulp of small schooling fish. The whale even surprised us by surfacing 100 yards from the stern of the vessel!
Having heard reports of Dall’s Porpoise in the area we next motored towards Middle Bank where we saw over a dozen Dall’s Porpoise working the rip tides. As we cruised by the Dall’s Porpoise, several of them decided to take a short break from foraging to surf the bow wave. We were all mesmerized as their black and white bodies darted and zipped back and forth across our bow only surfacing for a split second to catch a breath of air.
As we began our return to Friday Harbor, Captain Mike spotted 3 Humpback Whales near Eagle Point (48°27.40N, 123°02.59W). We initially only saw what we thought was 1 Humpback Whale then we saw 2 surface at the same time; a mother and a calf. Then, the next thing we knew a third individual was at the surface! We turned off our engines to watch these majestic beasties and listen to their powerful exhales. The whales were initially traveling east before they dove and changed direction turning south and heading right for us. With our engines already off and the animals within 100 yards we waited for the Humpback Whales to travel by. I later apologized to all of our guests who were videotaping the whales because my squeals and giggles of delight could be heard echoing throughout the vessel. :D
One final stop at Whale Rocks concluded our trip. Here we saw over 30 Steller Sea Lions sprawled out over the island. Most of these bachelors seemed to be enjoying their afternoon siestas but several others were causing a raucous that resulted in very vocal, verbal disagreements.
Naturalist Amy, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: Cattle Pass, Dall\'s Porpoise, Harbor Seal, Harbor Seals, Humpback Whale, minke whale, Salmon Bank, Steller Sea Lions
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
Tuesday, September 18th, 2012
We had reports of Transient Killer Whales near Victoria, B.C. today. When the animals are reported this far away we do have to do a bit of traveling but fortunately the Killer Whales were traveling east and headed our direction.
As we were motoring through the Strait of Juan de Fuca to reach the whales we saw 5 Dall’s Porpoise. The Dall’s Porpoise were actively foraging in the highly productive region. After a few minutes of viewing these animals we continued on our way when we spotted a Minke Whale! The Minke Whale surfaced twice before diving. We knew the whale would be down for several minutes so again we continued on our journey but, it was only a matter of minutes when we came across a number of Harbor Porpoise. The Harbor Porpoise were also taking advantage of the abundance of prey and were actively foraging. Then, it wasn’t much further before we spotted the Transient Killer Whales!
There were 8-9 whales headed north between Middle Bank and Discovery Island (48°23.02N, 123°12.54W). This was a rather large group for the Transient Killer Whales who are known to be very stealthy and elusive. Initially the whales were traveling in a tight group but as we continued watching them they began to spread out and form two smaller groups. They were still traveling within close range of each other; one group of whales was only a few body lengths ahead of the other group. On two different occasions we saw several of the whales circling and diving in a small area while several seagulls were swooping in from above…it turns out the Killer Whales were having a late lunch evident by the remains of what we suspect were Harbor Porpoise, based on our earlier sightings, floating at the surface. When it was time to head back to Friday Harbor the Transient Killer Whales had once again formed a tighter group and were traveling in close proximity of one another.
Then it was time to return to Friday Harbor but just because we were leaving the whales didn’t mean the tour was over. On the way back we saw several more Harbor Porpoise and a number of Harbor Seals. At Whale Rocks over 30 Steller Sea Lions were littering the island, sprawled out and resting or walking about and grumbling at each other. While another 6 Steller Sea Lions had decided to take a dip in the frigid, 48 F waters.
Naturalist Amy, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: Dall\'s Porpoise, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, killer whales, minke whale, Orca whale, Transient Orcas
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
Monday, July 2nd, 2012
Southern Resident Killer Whales today!
Caught up with about 7 slowly foraging members of J-Pod, including Granny (J-2), Blackberry (J-27) along with Onyx (L-87) on the west side of San Juan Island at 48.27.388N 123.03.597W. We stayed with them until peeling away at the light house at Lime Kiln to complete a circumnavigation of San Juan Island. Caught a quick sighting of 2 Dall’s Porpoises close to Kelp Reef too.
On the way out, San Juan Channel was busy with Harbor Porpoises (at least 10) and a large group of Harbor Seals (about 15) heads up and bobbing in the tide rip before Goose Island. Counted about 12 Canada Geese pecking on the grassy top of the rock offshore from Cape San Juan, while a lone Bald Eagle kept sentry on top of a snaggy fir on shore.
Our return trip took us along Speiden Island where a large flock of Mouflon Sheep grazed with several rams keeping watch on the perimeter. Also, sighted one albino Fallow Deer tucked in the exposed roots of a tree just above the water and 4 Sika Deer outlined on the ridge line. On our last glance back at Spieden Is., a nice showing of 3 Bald Eagles that overhead from Sentinel Island towards us.
Naturalists Shelly, Tara and Jenny; San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, Bald Eagles, Cattle Pass, Dall\'s Porpoise, Fallow Deer, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seal, Harbor Seals, j pod, killer whales, L pod, Mouflon Sheep, Orca whale, orca whales, Orcas, San Juan Channel, san juan island, Sika Deer, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Spieden Island, whale watching near seattle
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
Monday, May 28th, 2012
Today we headed out into the Georgia Strait where we had originally heard of a sighting of 3 transient orcas. Unfortunately as we got closer to the area, we were informed that the group had suddenly switched direction and were headed northwest at a high speed. There was no way our boat or any others from Friday Harbor could catch up with them so we aborted.
We then got news of some Dall’s Porpoise in Active Pass and were fortunate enough to catch up with them. It was a group of about 7-10 and man were they fun! Usually Dall’s will get bored easily with boats, but this group swerved in and out through the water, porpoising out of the water, and playing with the bow for a good 15 minutes. We then made our way back through the Canadian Gulf Islands and home for a total round trip of 70 miles!
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Active Pass, Canadian Gulf Islands, Dall\'s Porpoise, friday harbor, Georgia Strait, Transient Orcas
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
Saturday, April 14th, 2012
Excited by an early morning report that a large number of Orcas had been sighted off Cattle Point on San Juan Island, we could not wait to get out on the water at noon. Heading north in San Juan Channel, our first stop was at Yellow Island to check out a healthy number of Harbor Seals hauled out on the rocks. Next stop, Green Point at Speiden Island, where more than a few mammoth Stellar Sea Lions dove and rolled on all sides of the boat. Several Harbor Porpoises surfaced long enough for a quick look as we passed Speiden, en route to Stuart Island. Bald Eagles were sighted, either soaring overhead, or posed in treetops. Easy cruising under clear skies and calm seas, but no whales.
After cruising around Stuart Island, we headed over to Canadian waters to check out the Cormorant rookery on Mandarte Island. Saw both Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorants sitting on nests and a lone sentry Canada Goose on top of the rock. Hearing reports of Dalls Porpoises, we headed back into Haro Strait to catch a quick glimpse of one between Gooch Island and Turn Point, Stuart Island. Cruising along the west side of Spieden Island gave us a good look at the monumental number of newborn baby Mouflon Sheep scattered all over the steep, grassy sides. Another last look at the Stellar Sea Lions surfing in the currents off Green Point, then we turned for home. Although the whales eluded us today, it was a priceless day in the San Juan Archipelago — warm, sunny, spring-weather, a calm sea, and a plethora of Bald Eagles, Pinnipeds, Porpoises, and Pelagic birds.
Naturalists Shelly and Kathy
Tags: Bald Eagle, Bald Eagles, Dall\'s Porpoise, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seal, Harbor Seals, Haro Strait, Mouflon Sheep, Orca whale, orca whales, Orcas, San Juan Channel, san juan island, san juan islands, San Juan Safaris, seattle whale watching, Spieden Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion, whale watching near seattle, yellow island
Posted in friday harbor, orca whale watching by seattle, orca whale watching near seattle, san juan island | Comments Off
Friday, September 30th, 2011
The last two days could have gone either way. The morning whale reports had residents near Hein Bank, possibly heading out to the Pacific. But like yesterday, the animals turned around and made their way back towards San Juan Island. We found some members of K pod swimming steadily in Haro Strait as the clouds finally cleared. We hung out with a few different groups of 4-5 whales, but could see animals spread out in every direction!
On the way home we stopped near Whale Rocks and showed our passengers the large Steller Sea Lions that seemed to have doubled in numbers over the last few days! To top it off we also encountered Dall’s Porpoise and some really playful Harbor Porpoise in San Juan Channel!
Mike
Tags: Dall\'s Porpoise, Harbor Porpoise, K Pod, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
Friday, September 23rd, 2011
Today was arguably one of the warmest, nicest days of the season. We were lucky enough to encounter a single Minke up north in Boundary Pass. The water was like glass, and it’s not often that we find Minkes up that way. As we came around Turn Point we also came across a pretty elusive group of Dall’s Porpoise. They showed enough of themselves for our passengers to get a good look, but weren’t too interested in hanging out otherwise.
On the way home we also found a few Bald Eagles, plenty of Harbor seals (one was eating a big salmon), and numerous four-legged friends grazing on Spieden!
Mike
Tags: Bald Eagles, Boundary Pass, Dall\'s Porpoise, Harbor Seal
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
Today started off gray and rainy. We got everyone suited up in rain jackets and blankets as we started down San Juan Channel. We definitely took some spray over the side and the rain was getting everyone sitting up on the bow. But we had a hardy group of people on board that were ready for the adventure.
We stopped just outside of Friday Harbor to check out quite a few Harbor Seals hauled out on the rocks and got an added bonus of a Bald Eagle perched in the middle of everything. As we continued south we came across Steller Sea Lions lazing in the rain on whale rocks. Definitely the most I have seen this fall all together in once place. Very impressive.
As we headed up island towards the area where the resident Orca had been seen one of our passengers spotted a blow a little off shore. Sure enough he had found some members of L pod. We were the only boat in the area and our passengers enjoyed viewing the whales all by ourselves for a while. We had ‘Mega’ and some of his family with us at first. We then realized there was something else in the water with the Orca. A group of Dall’s porpoise had come on to the scene and some of the members of L pod seemed to be traveling with them. Something I have never seen before!
On our way home we had a last encounter with ‘Racer’, one of the L pod females. She has a very distinctive saddle patch and numerous passengers got great photos. By the time we made it home the skies had cleared a bit and the sun was shining on us in the harbor.
Mike
Naturalist San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, Dall\'s Porpoise, Harbor Seal, L pod, Orcas, San Juan Channel
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off