Posts Tagged ‘salish sea’
Thursday, September 6th, 2012
Today we watched several members of L-Pod mill around near False Bay, San Juan Island. We got to travel with multiple groups of 1s and 2s including 3 large males and 3 females each bearing a youngster at their side. They all appeared to be very relaxed, milling around, and enjoying the simple things in life, being within the comfort of their own home. The family bond amongst them is like no other, and is quite apparent in their interaction. For these whales, it’s all or none, and no matter how much time they spend together, it will never be enough to drive them apart. Other than food and air, family seems to be enough for the Southern Residents….and maybe, just maybe, we can learn a thing or two from them.
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: False Bay, salish sea, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales
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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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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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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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Friday, July 13th, 2012
We circumnavigated San Juan Island today, seeing wild life all the way around. We left Friday Harbor heading south and ran into a group of harbor seals hauled out on the rocks. Shortly after, around Goose Island, there was another large group of seals foraging in the water!
Continuing around to the west side, we ran into some fog and slowed. We could make out some boats, so we stopped and started to look for whales. Through the fog we heard the distinctive “powoof” of a killer whale surfacing to breath. We then saw a single female pass by. The fog began to lift, and we traveled further north. Just south of Lime Kiln we encountered five more killer whales, one of which was J-34, “Doublestuf.”
After watching for a while we started moving toward the north end of San Juan Island. There were a few harbor porpoise that surfaced a few times in our wake just as we passed Spieden Island. By the time we made it back, the sun was shining and every one was relaxed after an amazing afternoon out in the Salish Sea.
Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, j pod, orca whales, salish sea, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Spieden Island
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Wednesday, July 4th, 2012
The 4th of July proved to be a WHALE of a day!
Members of J- and L-pods were observed traveling north along the west side of San Juan Island near Lime Kiln Point State Park (48°30.3261N, 123°10.8999W). L87 “Onyx” was exhibiting foraging behavior, surfacing quickly and changing direction frequently. We also saw J28 “Polaris” traveling with a younger whale. While watching the Southern Resident Killer Whales a Humpback Whale surfaced near Small Pox Bay also traveling north. The Humpback Whale would take a few breaths of air before diving for several minutes. We last saw the Humpback Whale perform a fluke-up dive just south of Mitchell Bay (48°34.0625N, 123°11.0407W).
What a special day out in the Salish Sea!
Amy, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: Humpback Whale, j pod, killer whales, L pod, orca whales, salish sea, Southern Resident Killer Whales
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Saturday, June 16th, 2012
Rain could not keep us away from the whales today as we departed North out of Friday Harbor. It was a bit foggy as we left, but the further north we went, the clearer it became. Then, just south of Turn Point we spotted J-2 “Granny” swimming along Stuart Island by herself. We watched as the 101 year old killer whale surfaced and dived. The rest of J-pod wasn’t far behind her including J-27 “Blackberry”. After watching the whales go by for a while we started back towards San Juan Island. Along the way back we stopped by Spieden Island and saw two juvenile bald eagles as well as Muflon sheep. Around the north end of the island we noticed a couple more bald eagles all around the same spot; they were munching on a deer or sheep carcass! It was an incredible sight. The fog then thickened as we slowly made our way through it to the docks, giving the Salish Sea an eerie calm, and a great ending to the trip.
~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, friday harbor, j pod, Mouflon Sheep, salish sea, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Stuart Island, Turn Point
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Wednesday, June 13th, 2012
The trip began with beautiful sunshine as we headed north out of the San Juan Islands. Passing the west side of Orcas Island, we saw Harbor Seals in their familiar yoga pose; a U-shape to keep their head and hind-flippers out of the cold Salish Sea! We spotted a gull picking a fight with a golden eagle, not sure who won that battle. As we wound through Plumper Sound, we had a chance to see the topography and geologic marvels that are the Southern Gulf Islands. We cruised through the Strait of Georgia towards Point Roberts with a view of Vancouver in the background. At 48°57.35’N and 123°05.66’W we found four members of J-pod. Two males and two females were noted, spread apart as they swam in a consistent direction to the southeast. It is amazing how everyone onboard falls silent to hear these massive mammals breathe as they reach the surface. After observing these endangered residents for a period of time, we started our return travels south to sunshine! It was a great day on the water and we are excited to head out again tomorrow.
SJS Naturalist Jenny
Tags: golden eagle, gulf islands canada, Harbor Seal, j pod, Orca whale, Point Roberts, salish sea, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales
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Friday, June 8th, 2012
It was a terrific day around the San Juan Islands in terms of weather and wildlife. As we left Friday Harbor heading south, the sun was shining and the water flat. Perfect for spotting the many harbor seals hauled out, covering every small rocky island exposed during high tide. We also passed Goose Island where cormorants were taking advantage of the sun as well, drying off their feathers.
Then we rounded cattle point and saw our first dorsal fin break the water just south of False Bay (48° 27.37′N 123° 02.83′ W). J pod was back! The whales were spread out along the west coast of San Juan Island, and were very active. We watched in awe as they lob tailed, spy hopped, rolled around, and breached! It was really incredible.
We then continued to circumnavigate around San Juan Island, enjoying the views and taking advantage of the weather. We slowed around Spieden Island, seeing more harbor seals, some oyster catchers, two bald eagles perched high in the tree tops, and a few sika deer in the tree cover. We couldn’t have asked for a better day!
~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, cormorants, friday harbor, goose island, Harbor Seals, j pod, Oyster Catchers, salish sea, san juan island, Sika Deer, Spieden Island
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Saturday, May 26th, 2012
Transients Orcas and Summer weather!
Fantastic day on the water: treated to clear skies, summery temps, and a stunning view of Mt. Baker, we traveled north out of Friday Harbor, around the north side of Orcas Island, until catching up with Transient Orcas on the north side of Lummi Island. Counts varied, depending on who you talked to, but we agreed that we did see 7 total. Latitude 48°44’ Longitude 122°45’. As mesmerized as we were by the orcas, it was hard not to notice the many pairs of Rhinocerus Auklets calmly floating by, as well as a pair of Loons. Our day would not be complete without a Bald Eagle sighting, which was our final reward when a stately adult sailed overhead as we entered back into the marina.
Naturalists Shelly and Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, Bald Eagles, Orca whale, orca whales, Orcas, salish sea, san juan islands, San Juan Safaris, seattle whale watching, Transient Orcas, whale watching near seattle
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