Posts Tagged ‘Harbor Seals’
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
For today’s trip we headed south through the San Juan Channel in between Lopez and San Juan Island. Across from Cattle Point we reached our first hot spot for wildlife viewing. Here we found Harbor Seals one side of a small rocky island and Steller Sea Lions on the other. The Steller’s were fairly large and very photogenic today! We then moved on just around the south side of San Juan Island into more open water.
We didn’t have to go very far, about 500 yards, and we saw two Minke Whales! The water couldn’t have been better for viewing today! The Minkes broke through what appeared to be glass. They were so smooth in their actions and so flawless. Fortunately, we were able to cut the motor and stay with the Minkes for a while, it appeared they were enjoying their situation and had no intentions on leaving. Once everyone got a good view we headed back motoring around small islands between San Juan and Lopez. On our way home we saw a few Bald Eagles, more Harbor Seals, a Canada Goose, and even a pack of about ten Harbor Porpoises.
It sure was another amazing day out on the water.
Naturalist, Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, Cattle Point, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Lopez Island, minke whale, San Juan Channel, san juan island, Steller Sea Lions
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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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Thursday, May 10th, 2012
The name of the game today was Harbor. Harbor Seals and Harbor Porpoises were everywhere in the Salish Sea today. We started by heading north out of Friday Harbor. Our first stop was Spieden Island, where we saw not only mouflon sheep and sika deer, but at least six bald eagles flying over the tree tops. Two of them left the island and flew straight over our boat! We also spotted harbor seals everywhere! They were hauled out on just about every rocky island. We then headed towards Mandarte island where double crested cormorants and gulls were nesting and flying above. Then, off Turn Point we spotted harbor porpoises all around the boat! Coming up multiple times so that we were able to get a good look. Plus, there were more bald eagles! Two were perched at the top of a tree, and three more were circling above Stuart Island. Finally, on the way back there were two Steller sea lions off the south tip of Spieden Island.
~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, cormorants, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Mouflon Sheep, san juan islands, Sika Deer, Spieden Island, Steller Sea Lions, Stuart Island, Turn Point
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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, 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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Sunday, May 6th, 2012
Today was one of those rare, perfect days to be out in the Salish Sea. First, all the conditions were in our favor; the weather was warm, sunny, and the seas were calm and almost windless. Second, the wildlife was abundant; we spotted a large group of six to seven transient killer whales identified as T18s just outside of Friday Harbor. The transients were more active than usual, tail slapping, rolling around, and spy hopping. After taking a good look at the whales we were able to leisurely make our way around Spieden Island, stopping to view Steller sea lions off the south point, bald eagles in the trees, and mouflon sheep and sika deer along the grassy hills. Plus there were harbor seals hauled out on several small, rocky islands, basking in the sun. Then, as we were heading back through Spieden Channel, we came across the transient killer whales again! This time huge male joined the group, with a dorsal fin at least five feet tall. It was a spectacular site and perfect ending to an amazing day.
Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, killer whales, Mouflon Sheep, orca whales, salish sea, san juan island, Sika Deer, Spieden Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Transient Orcas
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Friday, May 4th, 2012
With early news of orca spottings, today’s tour headed north towards the U.S./Canadian international border. Once we reached Turn Point we saw a few boats in the area and began our search. Within a quick ten minutes we had spotted two members of J-pod, our southern residents, and were able to follow them, watching them mill around and rise above the water’s surface.
After about twenty minutes we moved on with our search and headed back southwest. It only took a couple hundred yards until we saw the next group, and from then on it seemed as though the boat became part of the pod itself. You could view multiple groups from J-pod, with about 3-4 individuals each, in all directions. It was a great feeling to be one with the pod! Everyone was fascinated and fingers were pointing in all directions passengers yelling, “Oh look, over there! Over there! And over there!” One whale in particular, was even a bit curious, and did a small Spy Hop rising vertically out of the water, head first, allowing us to see the entire upper half of his body! It was a great day for whales, but that’s not all….
On our way back around the Spieden Island we were able to see all kinds of wildlife including Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, Cormorants, Steller Sea Lions, Sika Deer, and Mouflon Sheep. The weather was nice, the water was nice, and the wildlife was nice. What a trip!
Naturalist, Tara
Tags: Bald Eagles, Brants Cormorants, cormorants, double crested cormorants, friday harbor whale watchin, Harbor Seals, j pod, Mouflon Sheep, Orcas, pelagic cormorants, Sika Deer, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Spieden Island, spy hop, Steller Sea Lions
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Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
Today we were lucky enough to see a variety of pinniped species. Just outside of Friday Harbor was an unusual sight. There was a California sea lion hauled out on a buoy! It was the first time I’ve seen a California sea lion since I started last year! After getting a good look, we made our way to Spieden Island where there was a large group of at least six Steller sea lions were relaxing on the rocks. Along Spieden we spotted mouflon sheep and sika deer, as well as a juvenile bald eagle perched high in a tree and an adult bald eagle on the ground clutching the remains of a fish. We then headed towards Mandarte Island to check out the nesting cormorants and gulls. Then, on our way back though Stuart and John’s Island we spotted several harbor seals swimming through a bed of bull kelp.
Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, bull kelp, California Sea Lion, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, Mouflon Sheep, Sika Deer, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Stuart Island
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Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
Another great day out on the water! Following a similar route around Spieden Island, through the Cactus Islands, and channel between Stewart and John’s Islands we saw a lot of great wildlife! Stellars were enjoying the sun, belly up in the water at Spieden point, and numerous Harbor Seals were catching the rays on any rock space available between Spieden and Mandarte. We also saw about 5 or so Bald Eagles along the tops of the tree line. Once we came around the northwestern point of Stewart Island our Captain caught a quick glimpse of what appeared to be a porpoise, so we cut the motor and were able to catch a good showing of about 3 or 4 Harbor Porpoises milling around. We then rounded Mandarte to check out the gulls, geese, and Cormorants and headed back along the southern side of Spieden. There we found multiple Sika Deer and Mouflan sheep. As we were passing back by the point, the Stellar Sea Lions appeared to be in the same location we left them so this time we were able to get an even closer look. On our way home it seemed as though the Harbor Seals couldn’t get enough of us as we continued to see them swimming nearby all the way into Friday Harbor.
Naturalist Tara
Tags: Bald Eagles, Cactus Islands, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Mandarte, Mouflon Sheep, Sika Deer, Spieden Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion
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Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
Today was my first day back in the Salish Sea and it didn’t disappoint! We started our trip heading north out of Friday Harbor. It was sunny and the seas were calm, which made for smooth sailing. We seemed to spot bald eagles everywhere, perched in trees and flying about. Along Spieden Island we came across a group of at least five huge Steller Sea Lions leisurely rolling around in the water. Further along in our journey we caught a long glimpse of harbor seals hauled out on a small rock. The rock was so crowded with the harbor seals that from a distance they looked like rocks. It wasn’t until we came a bit closer that we noticed they were moving. Mixed in the group were at least two small pups! We rounded Stuart Island and checked out Mandarte Island where cormorants, geese, and gulls were nesting. We then started to make our way back and stopped to look at the many mouflon sheep and fallow deer that were lining the hills and rocky coast of Spieden before getting back into Friday Harbor. It was a great first day back!
Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, Fallow Deer, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, Mouflon Sheep, san juan island, Spieden Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion
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