Posts Tagged ‘friday harbor’
Thursday, September 20th, 2012
Supposedly it’s September, but the last two mornings here have been completely blanketed by fog. All the more adventure we say!
And today it was as we headed directly for the thick of it with rumor of Black and Whites on the other side. Once we reached Cattle Pass the eeriness set in and we were confronted with limited visibility and an immediate chill. The naturalist had everyone’s eyes peeled for creatures that may be lurking amongst the midst, an easy distraction technique that also seconds as help for navigation through the area.
As we made our way deeper into the strait the fog began to lift and wouldn’t ya know it, our friends were there to greet us. Members of J and K pod were spread out, feeding approximately a mile west of Hein Bank (Haro Strait). Cappuccino (K21), Mike(J26), and Blackberry (J27) were all present amongst 20 or so others. Today couldn’t have been better for whale watching as we were surrounded by whales on all sides. Each time we tried to leave, more whales would appear. Blackberry (J27) was the last to greet us and he was brilliant. He rolled over and swam on his side parallel to the boat, raising his pectoral fin, and then moving onto his back, belly up, and throwing his tail up entirely out of the water 5 times in a row!
As we left him and the others to enjoy their home, the fog had lifted for a sunny return to Friday Harbor. Below are some pictures of our wonderful day!
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Naturalist Tara's face before entering the fog!
Southern Resident with Fog Blanket and San Juan Island in the background
Where we traveled...
Male Orca
Steller Sea Lion posing at Whale Rocks
Erica, wonderful guest enjoying her tour!
Tags: friday harbor, Haro Strait, hein bank, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales
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Friday, August 31st, 2012
We had a fabulous trip to the south side of San Juan Island today. Sunny skies and calm waters in the Strait of Juan de Fuca made for incredible whale watching! After seeing several harbor seals cruising through Cattle Pass, we encountered the Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks. At least ten were lounging in the sun. As we headed into the strait, we saw several members of the resident L-pod actively feeding offshore of South Beach (48°26N, 123°00W). First we saw members of the L12 matriline, including L41 “Mega”. He was switching directions and slowly coming to the surface. At one point he rolled on his back and slapped the water with his pectoral fins and tail. It looked like he was doing the backstroke! We also saw L94 “Calypso” with her calf L113 “Molly”. “Molly” was very active, splashing, rolling, tail-slapping. L77 “Matia” was also spotted with her calf L119 born earlier in 2012. After observing these special mammals, we headed back to Friday Harbor. So thankful for another day to see these orcas in the wild.
SJS Naturalist Jenny
Tags: Cattle Pass, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, L pod, Orca whale, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller Sea Lions, whale watching near seattle
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Monday, August 27th, 2012
The weather was perfect: high around 70 degrees, clear blue sky, and very light breeze. The only thing that could make it better would be a day with the Orcas. Did you order up Orcas?
Yes, a large order, please!
Coming right up.
We ran north – through beautifully calm water, enjoying the spectacular scenery. Mount Baker was a clear and crisp as I’ve ever seen it. Along the way, we saw harbor porpoise, common murre, pigeon guillemot, and harbor seals swimming about.
As we got nearer to our destination, members of J & K Pods showed themselves. Plenty of porpoising, a breach, a spy hop, another breach – lots of activity. We identified K-25 (Scoter), K-27 (Deadhead), J-27 (Blackberry), and a host of other gorgeous Orcas. The boat rang out with ohhhhs and aahhhhhs, as the animals were all around us!
We had to “go the extra mile” today, because that’s where the action was. It’s what we do. 48 47.91N, 122 46.7436W. Lots of happy guests aboard!
Happy Whale Watching to You!
Captain Jim (Captain, Naturalist, all ’round fun guy)
Tags: friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seal, j pod, K Pod, killer whales, Orcas, salish sea, san juan island, San Juan Safaris, Southern Resident Killer Whales, whale watching near seattle
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Thursday, August 23rd, 2012
Today we headed north on a wildlife adventure! Incredible scenery through the northern San Juan Islands; we passed by Spieden Island first. Adult male mouflon sheep were grazing near shore; their large and round horns are quite a sight. Several females were also resting in the grass close by. We also spotted a bald eagle at the top of a tree looking out for its next meal. A harbor seal was resting with her pup on a mattress of rockweed, a type of seaweed, up against the shoreline. These pups nurse for about six weeks and then it is time to learn to hunt for fish. As we turned toward Stuart Island, we kept a lookout for any splashing at the surface. Harbor porpoise would quickly pop up, and down they would dive. Once we crossed Boundary Pass, we hugged the shoreline of Saturna Island. We were in Canada! We moved through these waters for a period of time, on the lookout for large marine mammals. We turned back toward Waldron Island and sure enough, the elusive minke whale (48°41.44N, 123°05.42W). Surrounded by seabirds, including rhinoceros auklets, common murres, and glaucous-winged gulls, a bait ball was just under the surface. Several surfaces by the minke allowed us to see that curved dorsal fin and pointed rostrum, or snout. After watching the minke for several minutes, we returned to Friday Harbor under sunny skies. So much to see while on the water!
SJS Naturalist Jenny
Tags: Bald Eagle, Boundary Pass, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seal, minke whale, Mouflon Sheep, san juan islands
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Monday, August 20th, 2012
Today we enjoyed the August sunshine on our trip to the south side of San Juan Island. We encountered glassy and calm waters coming through Cattle Pass, and a great view of the Olympic Mountains. As we came upon Whale Rock, we observed several harbor seals and then ten LARGE Steller sea lions resting. The sea lions were crowding each other for space and we heard a couple of them vocalizing and grunting! Then we turned west into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and noticed several large bait balls collected along south shore. The sea birds were going wild! We could hear the calls of the common murre, as many were out feeding. Cormorants, gulls, and rhinoceros auklets were congregating in the area too. Members of the resident orca group K-pod were close by, including K-27 “Deadhead” feeding by False Bay (48°28’316N, 123°05’047W). Three other members of the K13 matriline were around, including a male, likely K-25 “Scoter”. At one point we witnessed SIX BREACHES in a row! What a sight. As we returned to Friday Harbor, we basked in the summer warmth and memories of the amazing K-pod.
SJS Naturalist Jenny
Tags: Cattle Pass, friday harbor, Harbor Seal, K-Pod orca whales, Orca whale, Steller Sea Lions
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Wednesday, August 15th, 2012
Herb Hartman, photographer, has gone out whale watching with us so many times that he is considered an honorary staff member.
Here are photos from his two tours, one at 1:30 and one at 5:30 from August 13, 2012.
Tags: friday harbor, orca whales, Orcas, san juan island, san juan islands, seattle whale watching, Southern Resident Killer Whales, whale watching near seattle, whale watching tour
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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012
Minkes today!
Although our Southern Resident Killer Whales were nowhere to be found today, we did have luck finding Minke Whales. Not just one, but two (maybe even 3!) Minkes were in the Salmon Banks area, on the south side of San Juan Island (48°25.33’N, 122°59.94’W). Just rounding the corner out of Friday Harbor, a Bald Eagle majestically perched at the top of a fir on Turn Island. On the way out of San Juan Channel, eight Stellar Sea Lions sunned themselves on Whale Rocks, while young Harbor Seal pups seemed to be everyone in the water. On Goose Island, Glaucous Winged Gull chicks still covered the east side of the rocks, while Cormorants sunned themselves near the water’s edge. Along with the wild life viewing, today’s sunny weather, and an exciting current racing with the flood tide through Cattle Pass, it was another excellent day on the water!
Shelly, Naturalist
Tags: Bald Eagle, Bald Eagles, Cattle Pass, friday harbor, Harbor Seal, Harbor Seals, killer whales, minke whale, Salmon Bank, San Juan Channel, san juan island, san juan islands, seattle whale watching, Steller Sea Lions, Steller\'s Sea Lion, whale watching tour
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Saturday, August 11th, 2012
We began our Sunset Tour heading south through the San Juan Channel. We stopped at Turn Island to see if anyone was home and sure enough a number of Harbor Seals were resting on the rocky shores of the intertidal zone. After spending a few minutes with the Harbor Seals we continued motoring south and saw 7 Steller Sea Lions relaxing on Whale Rocks. Another 2 Sea Lions were swimming nearby; these two individuals were very curious and kept inching closer to the boat as they surfacing to take long looks at us.
As we cruised along the southern end of San Juan Island we found several members of J-Pod offshore of Eagle Cove. We were first greeted by J37 “Hy’Shqa” and her newborn calf J49, who were traveling with J14 “Samish”, J37’s mother. Three generations of whales traveling in very close proximity with one another. A-MA-ZING! We also saw J34 “Doublestuff” traveling with another 4 individuals. J27 “Blackberry” was also nearby, cruising along by himself. A few of the whales were surface active: lobtailing, spyhopping, and breaching. As we headed back to Friday Harbor we watched the sun set over the islands casting a magnificent glow across the Salish Sea.
Amy, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: friday harbor, Harbor Seals, j pod, killer whales, Orca whale, orca whales, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller Sea Lions
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Tuesday, August 7th, 2012
Fantastic wildlife viewing today! Caught up with Southern Resident Killer Whales off East Point, Saturna Island, BC (48°27.25N, 123°02.35W). Viewed a large group of tightly packed members of J Pod, with J-37 (Hy’Shqa) and new baby tucked in between, moving westerly off Saturna Island at a slow pace. Lots of tail slapping, lob tailing, breaching, spy-hopping. Saw Bald Eagles in the trees and sitting on the rocks off Cactus Island. Guests witnessed a breathtaking dive bomb to the water by an eagle, who successfully emerged with a fish, then landed on a rock and started eating. Excellent wildlife viewing, warm weather, and mellow seas made for another amazing day on the Salish Sea.
Shelly, Tara, and Jenny, Naturalist for San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, Bald Eagles, Cactus Islands, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, j pod, killer whales, Orca whale, orca whales, Orcas, salish sea, san juan islands, Saturna Island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, whale watching near seattle
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