Posts Tagged ‘Saturna Island’
Friday, April 26th, 2013
At this time of year, it’s not unusual to leave the dock without a whale sighting to direct our course. The relatively predictable Southern Resident Killer Whales may not return to their summer feeding grounds in the Salish Sea for quite some time yet. Fortunately, the San Juan Islands harbor an abundance of life year-round, especially during the spring.
Today we passed by Yellow Island and saw sprays of color from spring wildflowers. Speiden Island is also looking oddly verdant. It won’t be long before the heavily grazed hillside turns a parched brown; but for a few more weeks we will see lush green grass and the pink hew of wildflowers. The bighorn sheep and deer were certainly out enjoying the fresh forage. Several ewes were supervising their fuzzy, energetic kids. Eagles also occupied their stately positions atop newly leafed maple and oak. On our first pass by Green Point, we were surprised to get only a fleeting glimpse of a Steller’s Sea Lion. Usually, they are a familiar fixture here in the spring. Just ten minutes later we returned to Green Point to find several impressive male sea lions milling about. Our patience was rewarded as we watched a few lions begin to haul their incredible bulk onto the rocks. This is a great time to watch for unusual migratory birds as well. Buffleheads, Surf Scoters, Brants, and large flocks of the black-headed Bonaparte’s Gulls were among the migrants that we observed today.
Mid-way through the trip we learned of a Transient Orca sighting north of East Point on Saturna Island, B.C. It can be a tough call to decide whether to press on even further from our home port so late into a trip. But after getting the go ahead from our enthusiastic guests, we extended the trip another hour in hopes of seeing whales. And were we glad we did! Near Active Pass we encountered two Killer Whales, T-20 and T-21, a mature male and female. In typical Transient fashion, their dives were unpredictable and hard to follow. But with Brian (the “Whale Whisperer”) as our captain, we had some great, up-close looks before heading home.
Naturalist Andrew, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bonaparte\'s Gull, Brants, Bufflehead, killer whale, Orcas, Saturna Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Surf Scoter, Transients
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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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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, 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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Saturday, June 30th, 2012
Ten members of J-pod were seen along the eastern side of Saturna Island in Canadian waters today (48°45.2071N, 123°06.9784W). The whales were spread out and traveling north. J2 “Granny”, the 101 year old matriarch, was identified among the group. Also L87 “Onyx” was seen traveling with the whales. Although, male orcas generally stay with their mothers and members of their own pod, Onyx is often observed traveling with members of J-pod. Whales were surface active and lobtailing and one whale even breached. Yay Whales!
Amy, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: j pod, killer whales, orca whales, Orcas, Saturna Island, Southern Resident Killer Whales
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Thursday, June 14th, 2012
Word was that killer whales were north and headed north today, so we wasted no time departing from Friday Harbor. Along the way we spotted a few curious harbor seals and some harbor porpoise. Then we weaved in between the beautiful Canadian islands of Saturna and South Pender before heading through Active Pass. Just north of Active Pass we spotted a killer whale breach in the distance! (48° 53.267 N 123° 17.661 W). It was J-Pod. The whales were spread out, traveling in small groups of three to four. We watched them for as long as we could before having to make the long trek back.
~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Active Pass, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, j pod, orca whales, Pender islands, san juan island, Saturna Island
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Monday, May 21st, 2012
Today we traveled north into Canadian waters and caught up with about 7 or 8 members of J-Pod just off Point Roberts; coordinates: 48°56.97N, 123°10.25W. As we arrived on the scene the whales were quite spread out allowing guests to look in every direction and see at least one or two. Other than San Juan Safaris, Western Prince was the only other American boat who had made the trek to see the return of the residents and man was it a show! A few members of the pod were Lobtailling and a curious male even began Spyhopping to check out the scene. It really was amazing to see just how large these animals can be with only half of their bodies rising above the surface.
As we started heading back, we caught up with Western Prince who had 3 more members of J-pod traveling parallel to them. We got to ride alongside this group for a while longer, watching them rise and dive multiple times until we gained speed for the trek home. On our way into American waters we stopped at East Point, just off of Saturna Island, to see the enormous Steller Sea Lion’s hauled out and resting up for their own trek they soon have to make back to their rookeries.
What started out looking to be a gloomy rainy day, actually turned out to be one of the best days on the water!
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: j pod, Lobtail, Point Roberts, Resident Orcas, Saturna Island, Spyhop, Steller Sea Lions
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Sunday, May 20th, 2012
Harbor seals were taking advantage of the low tide today and were seen hauled out at a number of locations in the San Juan Islands. We counted 97 Harbor Seals at just one haul-out site along the west side of Waldron Island!
One mile northwest of Patos Island Lighthouse we were surrounded by Harbor Porpoise. These normally shy and elusive animals were busy foraging in this highly productive area. Their behavior of surfacing frequently and changing directions provided excellent viewing opportunities in all directions. As Captain Mike stated, it was a “Harbor Porpoise Excitement Extravaganza!”
Stellar Sea Lions were hauled out on the rocky shores of East Point. While the majority of the sea lions were relaxing, a few were clearly having a verbal disagreement. Did you know male Stellar Sea Lions can reach 10ft in length and weigh over 2,000lbs!
Not only did we see marine mammals but we had great views of at least 4 different mature bald eagles perched in the trees or rocky outcrops, 3 feral goats on the cliffs of Saturna Island, and Sika Deer and Mouflon Sheep grazing on the southside of Spieden Island.
For those birders out there, we saw a number of the deep-diving seabird species including the Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, and Common Murres!
What a fun day out on the water and we even managed to stay dry! Rain! What Rain!?
Amy, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: Bald Eagles, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Mouflon Sheep, Saturna Island, Sika Deer, Spieden Island, Steller Sea Lions
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Friday, May 18th, 2012
Motoring out of the harbor a large, male California Sea Lion was conveniently hauled out on the channel buoy providing a great photo opportunity. We then traveled north through the San Juan Channel where we found our first harbor seals of the day on the rocky shores of Jones Island State Park. On Flattop Island a beautiful, mature bald eagle perched on the National Wildlife Refuge sign. As we continued north we had another chance to view harbor seals resting on White Rock. We then entered Boundary Pass and saw one Harbor Porpoise. The Harbor Porpoise was shy and elusive, only surfacing a few times before heading south. When we reached East Point on Saturna Island we observed a number of large, male Stellar Sea Lions basking in the sunshine and yet another group of harbor seals. Cruising south along the eastside of Saturna Island we stopped at the Java Islands to catch a glimpse of a mature bald eagle resting on the rock shores and more harbor seals! We continued motoring south through John’s Pass and circled around to the south side of Spieden Island. The Sika Deer and Mouflon Sheep did not disappoint. A group of about 10 sheep had moved down along the water’s edge including a few wee babes!
Amy, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, California Sea Lion, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Mouflon Sheep, Saturna Island, Sika Deer, Steller Sea Lions
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Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Today we followed a similar route to yesterday’s trip. We headed north out of the San Juan Channel, past the west side of Waldron and out to Patos Island. About a half mile west of Patos we saw around 20 to 30 Harbor Porpoises milling in the rip tides. This appeared to be a great foraging area and it was very cool too see so many Harbor Porpoises together in one place. As we reached East Point we saw a similar set-up to yesterday with about 100 Harbor Seals hauled out on the left side of the rock and about 20 or so Steller Sea Lions on the right side. It was as if they didn’t even move.
We then made our way back through Boundary Pass along Saturna Island where we caught a few Bald Eagles and numerous Harbor Seals hauled out on the Java Islets. As we made our way further into American waters we stopped by both Turn Point and Spieden Island for a couple more wildlife opportunities. At Turn Point we saw another Bald Eagle and along Spieden Island we saw about 15 Sika Deer and 2 lone Mouflon Sheep. It was a great day for wildlife!
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Mouflon Sheep, San Juan Channel, Saturna Island, Sika Deer, Spieden Island, Steller Sea Lions, Turn Point
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