Seals basking on rock outcrops. A Minke whale in Griffin Bay. A Stellar sea lion wrestling with an OCTOPUS? Yes at Cattle Pass. Harbor porpoise on the port side! The sea lion won. Then off to Hein Bank to view a Humpback whale. One single humpback lazily coming up for air, then a 5 minute dive – going to Victoria.
What a day.
Photo Contest Winner for Bald Eagle by Paige Taken August 10, 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.
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
Prize: $38 plush 3 foot long Orca Whale
With reports of Resident Orcas on the west side of San Juan Island and Transient Orcas north of Stuart Island, it was a tough call on which direction to take. Fortunately, heading north to search for Transients turned out to be a great choice! At Blundand Island (Gulf Islands, BC) we caught up to about 8 or more tightly grouped whales (48°43’86N 123°10’9W), including T102, that seemed to be slowly moving along the island until something kicked a pair into action and they repeatedly porpoised along the island, took a long dive, then surfaced along with the rest of the group.
Harbor porpoises were everywhere today – milling in San Juan Channel and in Boundary Pass.
We also watched Bald Eagles perched, as they kept an eye on their territory at Cactus Islands, along with one spotted on the flag pole at the end of Stuart Island, and another 2 at Flat Top Island. One was even perched on top of the National Wildlife Refuge sign. We also saw two Great Blue Herons at John’s Island.
Another great day on the water; sunny skies, glass-like seas, and excellent wildlife viewing!
Naturalists Tara, Kristen, and Shelly; San Juan Safaris
Sunset Whale Watching Tour off Point Roberts photo by Gues John Mc Cormick
Captain Mike and I found J-pod up by Pt Roberts this evening. We saw Granny as well as several other members including Mike (J-26). Mike ended up doing a full body breach three times in a row! It was AMAZING! Everyone was happy and had a great time.
Naturalist, Amy
What a day! We didn’t have to travel far, getting to enjoy the company of many members of J-Pod, with the star being “Big” Mike, J-26. We were on the northwest side of San Juan Island at 48° 36.9345 / 123° 11. 8222. Shachi, J-19 was leading a group of other females north. After nearly an hour with the active Orcas, we turned north for a tour along Spieden Island, with harbor seals, Mouflon sheep and sika deer galore! We punctuated the hurrahs on that stretch with 3 bald eagle fly overs, right on schedule! On the way back to Friday Harbor, we saw an immature bald eagle and a group of very active harbor porpoise. One of our guests was from Seattle and told us that in his years here, he had never seen an Orca… “What a very special treat!” Our pleasure to be a part of it.
The day started with sunny blue skies and later gave us just enough clouds for dramatic photos… the cameras onboard were constantly clicking! Easy to see why.
Jim, Naturalist, Captain, all around fun guy.
Our journey took us north. As we motored through the San Juan Channel we cruised along and observed the Sika Deer and Mouflon Sheep on Spieden Island. We continued north through the scenic Cactus Islands and across the border into Canadian Waters.
Have you ever seen an eagle taking a bath? Well, we did! On the south side of Spieden, our national symbol had found a hollow in the rocks and was enjoying a fresh-water bath. He was not shy.
On through Johns Pass and a view of harbor seals as they were enjoying the better-than-forecast weather as much as we were. Northward, past Stuart Island, and East to the lighthouse on Patos, and more harbor porpoise and bald eagles south of there, including a nesting pair of eagles.
Making our way south, we came through the Wasp Islands before turning into the San Juan Channel and back to our home dock. The islands were gorgeous today: dramatic views with silhouettes in all shades of blue early on, turning to blue skies on our return.
A great group of people onboard, representing all corners of the US and two gentlemen from Germany.
Jim, Captain/Naturalist San Juan Safaris
