Posts Tagged ‘East Point’
Sunday, August 19th, 2012
5 Transient Orcas came into the Salish Sea today, made a kill, and quickly headed back for open water. We found them at approximately 2:30PM right off Java Islets in Boundary pass circling their kill like a pack of wolves. It was the T18’s and T’19s including Mr. Floppy Fin (T19B). Within minutes of their kill they had cleaned up the remains and headed north for the Strait of Georgia. We left them rounding East Point, traveling fast, gaining speed to 10 knots.
Rumor has it…some other friends may be joining us here soon 
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Boundary Pass, East Point, Java Islets, salish sea, Strait of Georgia, Transient Orcas
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Sunday, August 12th, 2012
By the time we reached the whales today, near Saturna Island (Canada), people had lined up along the shoreline waiting for their chance to see the Southern Residents. It was six members of Jpod slowly moving north in Boundary Pass headed for the Strait of Georgia (48°45.88N 123°04.69W). In the mix we found Hy’Shqa (J37) and her newborn J49, along with Grandma Samish (J14) and the 20 year-old orphan from Lpod, Onyx (L87).
The group appeared to be resting, staying fairly close to the shoreline, synchronizing their breaths and dives. After spending time with them, we left to make quick run around East Point to see some Steller Sea Lions and Harbor Seals, hoping that upon our return the whales might be a little more rested.
Sure enough our captain was right! When we came back for our second visit the group of whales began lobtailling and playing around with one another. We then headed home with news of Kpod entering the area.
As a matter of fact, our night cruise should be with them right… about….. now!
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Boundary Pass, East Point, Georgia Strait, Harbor Seals, Saturna Island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller Sea Lions
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Saturday, July 7th, 2012
It’s been a while since the last time we had to travel far north out of Friday Harbor, but this afternoon that’s just what we did to spot some killer whales. The ride up was beautiful! The water was like glass, the sun was shining, and the breeze was warmer than it has been all season. Plus, harbor porpoise were in no shortage as the surfaced in every direction from our boat as we motored north of East Point.
We saw our first, large Orca dorsal fin slice through the water at 48º52.88’N 122º56.61’W. It was L-87 “Onyx.” We thought he might be alone, but there were two females, J-2 “Granny” swimming along with J-8 “Spieden” not too far behind him. Everyone was super excited not only to see the 101 year old matriarch of the southern resident killer whales, but also to see the difference between the tall, triangular dorsal fin of the adult male killer whale compared to the smaller, lunate shaped dorsal fins of the females. And while all this was going on, Mt. Baker was the backdrop, giving the opportunity for amazing pictures.
~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: East Point, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, j pod, L pod, Mount Baker, Orcas, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales
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Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
From my experience, the best whale watching days occur in weather similar to today’s: overcast and rainy. However, everyone was positive and optimistic that we would see whales. Well, not only did we see Orcas, we saw both ecotypes!
Our boat, the Sea Lion, headed north out of Friday Harbor towards East Point. Along the way we spotted some harbor seals as well as a juvenile bald eagle. Then, as we came across the north end of Orcas Island there was word that Transient killer whales, the marine mammal eating killer whales, were near Matia Island. We headed in that direction and saw spouts, followed by dorsal fins at 48° 44.32’ N 122° 48.76’ W. We counted at least 6-8 transients in a tight group, and watched as they passed with some of the smaller whales porpoising out of the water!
After spending some time with the transients and getting amazing views, Captain Mike decided to head to East Point where we initially intended to go. As we approached, we again saw the familiar blow and dorsal fins of more killer whales just as they passed in front of East Point, heading south. It was J-pod, the resident fish eating killer whales. But these whales were not alone, there were harbor seals and steller sea lions hauled out on the rocks, and the steller’s were being very vocal giving our guests the opportunity to hear sea lion speak. We turned off our engines to watch as the whales passed on either side of our boat. At one point we didn’t know which direction to look! Then one of the whales started lob-tailing! We watched for a while longer before having to make the trek back to San Juan Island.
Today was definitely the best day I’ve had this season! I’ve never been on a trip where both resident and transient killer whales were seen, and they were only about a fifteen minute ride apart from each other. This was truly a rare and spectacular day for whale watching in the Salish Sea!
~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, East Point, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, j pod, Matia Island, Ocras Island, Orcas, salish sea, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller Sea Lions, Transient Orcas
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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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Monday, May 7th, 2012
point roberts
Today we definitely went the extra mile. Out of the harbor we were immediately faced with a tough decision… head south to a confirmed Humpback Whale sighting that we could easily reach, or take the chance of catching up with some Orcas that were spotted in Canada and heading north.
Captain Mike went with his gut and we headed north. We made our way through the San Juan Channel and Presidents Channel seeing several Harbor Porpoises, Harbor Seals, and even a few Steller Sea Lions in the open water, but we remained on the hunt. We continued north past East point and through the Strait of Georgia. Passengers were growing weary as we made our way deeper into Canada, but the crew knew what was coming and couldn’t be more anxious. As we reached Vancouver the boats began to emerge on the sea’s horizon and we knew we were getting close. Binoculars were out and glued to everyone’s eyes and we spotted the first dorsal fin at Robert’s Bank, immediately followed by another. Turns out the Resident Orcas heard how determined we were to see them and decided to turn around and come say hi – at least that is my take on it.
We followed the first two whales for about 15 minutes and had to start heading back, but just as the boat gained speed we spotted another two. Then we started seeing several more orcas, both off in the distance, and as close as 200 yards away. The passengers and crew grew very excited and it seemed as though the Residents fed off our excitement. A young calf started Breaching, followed by an older member of the pod Lobtailing, and another Spy Hopping. It was an amazing site to see! We then continued to travel with the Residents for a significant amount of time as we made our way back home. The passengers were very tired from the excitement, but were livened up once again when we got a second look at East Point. The small rock was covered with Steller’s, Harbor seals, and even a couple of Bald Eagles separating the two. This trip couldn’t have gotten any better! Looking forward to the next day on the water!
Naturalist, Tara
Tags: Bald Eagles, Breaching, canada, East Point, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Humpback Whale, Lobtailling, Orcas, President's Channel, Robert's Bank, San Juan Channel, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Spy Hopping, Steller Sea Lions, Vancouver
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Thursday, June 9th, 2011
J pod was present and playful today! We first saw the orcas at Saturna Island’s East Point as both juveniles and adults took turns breaching, lob tailing and spy hopping as they slowly made their way east. Two mature males were in the lead for some time, which we believe to be the pod-mates Blackberry (J-27) and Mike (J-26). An exceptional day to be viewing wildlife and on the water!
Kirsten, naturalist
Tags: East Point, Orca whale, Orcas, san juan island, Saturna Island, seattle whale watching, Southern Resident Killer Whales
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Thursday, May 13th, 2010
There is more to life in the islands than orcas. With every brochure and website showing photos of leaping black and white behemoths, it is easy to forget that there are other equally stunning species that live in this area. It is also easy to overlook the basic beauty of the setting for fear that you might miss that one great shot of a killer whale. For these reasons it is always rather nice that the season starts and ends so “slowly”. These days spent rocking in the cradle of waves, listening to the calls of seagulls and the whistles of pigeon guillemots, can be very cathartic and just as entertaining. The mild weather encourages one to spend time on deck and the more you can look around the more that you are going to see.
Today was one of those calm, peaceful days on the water. Orcas were reported to be well North of the San Juan Islands at the Campbell River, so the area belonged to our other locals. As always, there was nothing to be disappointed about. With Capt. Craig at the helm of the M/V Sea Lion we wound our way through both the U.S. and Canadian Gulf islands looking for seals, sea lions, porpoises and eagles. At Boiling Reef the surf scoters, a type of marine duck, continue to feed in the high speed current lines in large rafts. A few Steller’s sea lions are still clinging to the rocks there, seemingly reluctant to make the long trip to Alaska. Harbor seals are beginning to collect more and more thickly across any exposed rocks as the females get closer to pupping season and start looking for rookery sites. In the air, swallows of several varieties tilt and whirl with their pursuit of insects and eagles are returning to their nests and doing the necessary maintenance for a new season. Rhinoceros auklets are showing their breeding plumage, with their beak “horns” and mustaches and soon they will begin to make the long trek to Protection Island with their beaks full of fish for their chicks.
With the warm sunshine and calm water though, the day definitely belonged to the harbor porpoises. Just off the west end of Patos Island, where the historic lighthouse is, but before you get to East Point on Saturna Island in Canada, there were hundreds of harbor porpoises. Smaller than dolphins and without the telltale “beak”, porpoises can be easily overlooked or mistaken for a baby dolphin. Harbor porpoises are notoriously shy, often disappearing not to be seen again once they have been spotted, but today was special. The porpoises were so busy hunting in the current lines that they paid no mind to us. Capt. Craig turned the engines off and we drifted with the sea listening to each blow and splash and these pint-sized powerhouses cavorted around us. The water was so calm that as each porpoise came up for a breath we could see the color variations on their skin and get a look at their blunt, rounded faces. This was by far the best experience the captain or I had ever had with these elusive creatures and the guests could sense the awe of the encounter.
So, from all of us at San Juan Safaris, to all of you who see the potential in any natural experience, thank you and we will…
See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist
Tags: East Point, Harbor Porpoise, san juan islands, San Juan Safaris, Saturna Island
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Saturday, September 12th, 2009
It was a whalestravaganza today on the water. Orcas from the north, orcas from the south and us in the middle of it all. East Point on Saturna Island was the meeting spot and the Strait of Georgia was the playground. I was hoping that we would see all of the whales get together, but I did not think that it would actually happen. It did though and Capt. Pete, Kathy and I were there on the M/V Sea Lion to see it. Our guests saw it too, so it was a stunning day all the way around.
East Point is best known for it’s lighthouse and the fact that the first orca was live captured there. Of course, they were actually trying to harpoon it, but things went awry and “Moby Doll” ended up in an aquarium. Consequently, it was very fitting to have this mass demonstration of orcas off of that point today. Blithely going about their natural processes under the comfort and protection of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act and the watchful eyes of the whale watch operators, Soundwatch, researchers and law enforcement.
All three resident pods were represented and they seemed thrilled to see each other. There was tail slapping and lobbing, spyhopping, breaching by young and old, and continuous mingling and vocalizing. Our hydrophone did not do justice the beauty of the sounds, but it took us down into the water with them and allowed us to be part of their world for a little while. Unfortunately, there is never enough time when we are with the orcas and we finally had to leave. It was a lovely day though and one that many guests said that they would never forget.
So, from all of us at San Juan Safaris, to all of dreamweavers out there, thank you and we will…
See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©
Tags: East Point, Orca whale, san juan islands, San Juan Safaris, Saturna Island, Strait of Georgia
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