Posts Tagged ‘Harbor Seal’
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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Wednesday, August 8th, 2012
Within minutes of leaving Friday Harbor, we found over 20 Harbor Seals, including several pups, resting on the shores of Turn Point. We then saw 7 Steller Sea Lions sprawled out on Whale Rocks taking advantage of the beautiful weather and soaking up the sunshine. These large, male Sea Lions were clearly enjoying their afternoon siestas. Next Captain Jim spotted a Minke Whale near Salmon Bank at the southern end of San Juan Island (48°25.19N, 122°58.14W). The whale surfaced several times as it traveled west before taking a deeper dive. As we waited for the whale to re-surface we all enjoyed relaxing in the sunshine on the flat calm seas and watching the Common Murres and Rhinoceros Auklets paddle by. The Minke Whale then surprised us and the seabirds by surfacing 200 yards away and causing the birds to scatter in all directions. On the way back we stopped by Long Island to catch a glimpse of a mature bald eagle. Yay! Another amazing day in the Salish Sea!
Naturalist Amy, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: Bald Eagle, Harbor Seal, Harbor Seals, minke whale, Salmon Bank, Steller Sea Lions
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Monday, August 6th, 2012
Exciting day on the water! Leaving the harbor under rainy skies, we traveled north around San Juan Island. Happily, the skies dried and the sun soon came out just as we caught up with members of the Southern Resident Killer Whales in Haro Strait. Traveling along the west side of Stuart Island and milling in the Turn Point area (first sighted at 48°40.67N 123°14.92W) were: Onyx (L87), along with Slick (J-16) and her calf, Echo (J-42), Mike (J-26) and Alki (J-36). Our next sighting include Granny (J-2) along with Tsuchi (J-31), and Mako (J-39). The orcas were active and didn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave the area. Plenty of shots of tails waving, pectoral fin slaps and the occasional spy hop. On the way back, we heard a rumor that there might be a new calf in J Pod?
Shelly and Tara, Naturalists for San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, Bald Eagles, Cactus Islands, friday harbor, Harbor Seal, Harbor Seals, Haro Strait, j pod, killer whales, L pod, Orca whale, orca whales, Orcas, San Juan Channel, san juan island, San Juan Safaris, Southern Resident Killer Whales, whale watching near seattle
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012
We headed north to Canadian waters today; calm waters and warm sun made for a wonderful boat ride. As we approached Saturna Island, we saw the spray…the spray of the humpback whale. We observed this marine mammal feeding in Boundary Pass (48°43.982N, 123°08.698W), and had the opportunity to watch the fluke dip into the water. As this type of whale has baleen plates, it was likely feeding on krill or a variety of small schooling fish. Several rhinoceros auklets were around, hoping to join the feeding frenzy. After viewing the humpback for several minutes, we turned south and passed the east side of Stuart Island, noting some harbor porpoise along the way. A bald eagle was standing guard! We had the opportunity to view a large nest on Cactus Island. We concluded our tour with a passing of Spieden Island. Mouflon sheep were grazing in the shade. Several harbor seal mothers and pups were out on the hunt too! What an incredible day on the water.
SJS Naturalist Jenny
Tags: Bald Eagle, Cactus Islands, Harbor Seal, Humpback Whale, Mouflon Sheep, Saturna Island, Stuart Island
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Thursday, August 2nd, 2012
Tons of whale action today; three Minke Whales and even a Humpback!!! (Salmon Bank, 48°25.01N 122°59.19W)
Humpbacks typically don’t come this far inland, to San Juan Island, so it was a great treat! These whales couldn’t be more graceful raising their fluke entirely out of the water and slowly diving down without a splash. They are THE true mermaids of the sea.
On our way in we saw tons of other wildlife including Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, Steller Sea Lions, and Harbor Porpoise.
What a wonderful day to be a member of Team San Juan Safaris!
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seal, Humpback Whale, minke whale, Salmon Bank, san juan island, Steller Sea Lion
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Thursday, July 26th, 2012
The bright and glorious sun was out for our wildlife tour this afternoon. In addition to the warm sunshine, we enjoyed sights of Mt. Baker, seen through clouds off in the distance, and calm waters. Right away we spotted harbor seals and two bald eagles on the northeast side of San Juan Island. As we approached Whale Rock, three Northern Sea Lions (also known as Stellar Sea Lions) were observed. Two females were hauled out on the rock and another was swimming around the kelp bed. It is unique to see them this time of year, when so many are up north in Canada and Alaska. We travelled west near Eagle Point (48°26.7577N, 123°00.5170W) when a large dorsal fin appeared belonging to J27 “Blackberry”. Two other males were nearby, J26 “Mike” and J34 “Doublestuff”. These members of J-pod were actively hunting, circling through the water. We saw slapping of pectoral fins and flukes and could hear the splashes. J35 “Tahlequah” and her male calf J47 “Notch” were also foraging for food. It was incredible to see the orcas surface in synchronization and hear their exhalations. As we returned to Friday Harbor, we got another good view of the massive Northern Sea Lions. They looked quite comfortable lounging on the rocks. Many great photos and memories from today!
SJS Naturalist Jenny
Tags: Bald Eagles, Harbor Seal, j pod, Orcas, San Juan Safaris, Steller Sea Lions
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Tuesday, July 17th, 2012
So many opportunities to observe the diverse wildlife of the San Juan Islands today! From Friday Harbor we traveled east, and then cut between San Juan Island and Lopez Island. Several harbor seals were hauled out on rocks, swimming, and foraging for fish! Gulls swooped in and rhinoceros auklets popped up in the feeding frenzy. As we travelled through Cattle Pass, we encountered a surprising visitor. A stellar sea lion was hauled out on Whale Rock! Typically, stellar sea lions are much further north in British Columbia and Alaska at this time of year. A unique sight to see! We headed west and observed members of J-pod, particularly two males, J-27 “Blackberry” and J-39 “Mako”. These two were foraging and feeding near False Bay (48°28.679N, 123°06.621W). We also spotted a minke whale south of where the orcas were foraging. The minke had a few slow surfaces and then went for a deep dive. Upon our return, we spotted a mature bald eagle just south of Griffin Bay. It looked like it was on patrol or preparing to find dinner. It was a wonderful trip and we were grateful for the warm sunshine in addition to the fascinating wildlife.
SJS Naturalist Jenny
Tags: Bald Eagle, Cattle Pass, friday harbor, Harbor Seal, j pod, Lopez Island, minke whale, Orcas, Steller Sea Lions
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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
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Sunday, July 1st, 2012
A great day to be on the water; we had blue skies, wispy white clouds, and plenty of wildlife to observe. First we headed out to Spieden Channel and came upon a group of harbor seals hauled-out on an exposed rock. They were snoozing and enjoying the sunshine. We continued northwest towards Stuart Island and encountered “Onyx”, L-87, slowly traveling the same direction, just south of Turn Point (48°39.931N, 123°14.114W). As we continued into Boundary Pass, we encountered members of J-pod, including “Granny”, J-2. Four females were traveling close together as they hugged the south side of South Pender Island (48°42.999N, 123°14.294). After observing these fascinating mammals, we returned south and cut between Stuart Island and Johns Island. We were on alert for bald eagles and their massive nests. Many great photo opportunities today. As we returned to Friday Harbor, guests commented on how grateful they were to visit the San Juan Islands and see orcas swimming in the wild!
Jenny, Naturalist San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, friday harbor, Harbor Seal, j pod, L pod, san juan island, Spieden Island, Stuart Island
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Friday, June 22nd, 2012
Upon departing Friday Harbor, our guests were eager to suit-up in the bright yellow rain slickers we provide onboard; a little rain was not going to stop this group from having a wonderful time. So, with a pair of binoculars in hand, a sense of adventure in our hearts, and a boat full of positive attitudes, we were ready to see what the day would bring and boy, we were not disappointed!
Having heard reports of whale activity, Captain Craig took us east through Upright Channel and around the north end of Lopez Island where we found 6 Transient Orca Whales surfacing and traveling together in Swifts Bay on the northeast side of the island. There were 2 large males and 2 youngsters in the pod. The whales would surface 3-4 times before diving for several minutes. Transient Killer Whales tend to be stealthier than the fish-eating Resident whales, because they hunt intelligent prey (marine mammals), so they did keep us guessing in which direction to look as they would surface somewhere new after each dive.
The whales then began to slowly travel south towards Thatchers Pass. Again they would surface a few times in close proximity with each other before diving for several minutes but they were more predictably traveling in an easterly direction allowing us to anticipate in which direction to look and providing even better viewing and photo opportunities.
After leaving the whales we headed west between Shaw Island and Orcas Island, taking in the beautiful scenery and picking out a few of our dream homes. As we approached Spieden Island at least 10 Harbor Porpoise were foraging in the highly productive waters off Green Point. As we motored along the length of the island we captured great views of the Mouflon Sheep and even saw a few Sika Deer. As we rounded Sentinel Island several Harbor Seals were swimming in the water, taking curious looks at us before diving, while at least 20 seals were resting unfazed by the rain. It was then time to head back to Friday Harbor but not before we saw a bald eagle perched on top of a tree on the southwest corner of Sentinel Island.
So, the lesson for today is: DO NOT let a little rain scare you away from a whale watching and wildlife tour in the San Juan Islands!
Amy, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: Bald Eagle, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seal, Mouflon Sheep, san juan island, Sika Deer, Transient Orcas
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