Posts Tagged ‘Sika Deer’
Friday, September 28th, 2012
We caught up with a group of Transients today near South Pender Island, British Columbia (48°44.01N 123°18.00W). Initially we paralleled the path of a group of 4 whales, which included 2 large bulls. At one point we were traveling 10 knots to keep up with them! The group slowed and synchronized their dives as they approached a second group of transients milling near a shoal. The whales suddenly became very active on the surface with several partial breaches, tail-lobbing, spyhopping, and one breathtaking full body breach. We heard a vocalization above the surface while watching two rambunctious youngsters playing near their mothers. One of the calves appeared to be the length of a newly born calf, about 7’ long. When we left the group, they were continuing to move in a southwesterly direction toward Gooch Island. We capped the tour with a cruise by Spieden Island where we witnessed a stately bald eagle, and abundant Mouflon Sheep, Fallow Deer (including a few completely white individuals with huge racks!), and a few Sika deer as well. As we rounded Green Point, we came across 3 Steller’s Sea Lions logging about amongst a raft of Bonaparte’s and California Gulls.
Naturalist Andrew, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, Bonaparte\'s Gull, California Gull, Fallow Deer, Gooch Island, Green Point, Mouflon Sheep, Sika Deer, South Pender Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Transient Killer Whales
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Monday, September 24th, 2012
Cruising south through San Juan Channel we encountered a number of marine mammals and seabird species. Harbor Seals, Harbor Porpoise, and Steller Sea Lions were all taking advantage of the abundance of prey along with the Glaucous-winged Gulls, Rhinoceros Auklets, and Cormorants.
Upon entering Cattle Pass the beautiful island setting was blanketed by a layer of fog providing a chilly and eerily exciting ambiance to our tour. Even before we could see the Steller Sea Lions we could hear their grumbles echoing through the cloudy mist. Then, through the haze we finally saw these massive animals! Over 15 Steller Sea Lions were spread out over the rocky shores of Whale Rocks. Another 7 Steller Sea Lions had formed a raft and were alternating lifting their flippers out of the water as if they were performing a synchronized swimming routine.
Next, roughly ¼ mile offshore of San Juan Island between Pile Point and Hannah Heights we found a Minke Whale (48°28.45N, 123°06.48W)! The Minke Whale seemed extra curious today coming in for a closer look as it circled the stern of the vessel. Such a rare treat for this normally shy and elusive animal.
Our tour ended with a visit to Spieden Island where we viewed dozens of the Mouflon Sheep, Sika Deer, and Fallow Deer. Followed by a stop at O’Neal Island in Rocky Bay where we saw a mature Bald Eagle!
Naturalist Amy, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: Bald Eagle, Cattle Pass, cormorants, Fallow Deer, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, minke whale, Mouflon Sheep, Sika Deer, Steller Sea Lions
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
Wednesday, September 19th, 2012
Today’s tour was a bit different than usual, yet so refreshing! With no whale reports since the night before, we took our tour to the inner islands.
Sure the San Juan Islands are home to one of the most charismatic animals in the world, the Killer Whale, but that is not the only thing that makes them beautiful. Often times the inner beauties of these islands are overlooked, but today we allowed our guests to discover these beauties. We toured along Flattop Island, the Cactus Islands, through Johns and Stewart Island, then into Canada to see Moresby and Mandarte Island, and back into the U.S. to finish with Spieden Island.
The abundance of wildlife inhabiting these islands and the channels between is nothing short of remarkable, including those we saw today such as dozens of Harbor Porpoise, dozens upon dozens of Harbor Seals, Bald Eagles, Cormorants, Sika Deer, Fallow Deer, Mouflon Sheep, Great Blue Heron, Gulls of all shapes and sizes, and Steller Sea Lions.
Animals aside, these islands standalone in their natural beauty. Glaciation has carved this area into one of the most majestic places on earth; the geology, the vegetation, simply awe-inspiring.
And if you haven’t seen enough then consider this, there are hundreds of islands that make up the San Juans and every island has a story of its own. From the coastal Sammish, to the Spaniards, to a one room school house, no plumbing, no electric, to the richest of summer homes, to marine state parks, to national wildlife refuges, to a war almost started over a Pig, to even owning an island yourself. These islands are something worth seeing and we can give you this experience.
Naturalist Tara, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, Cactus Islands, Coastal Sammish, cormorants, Fallow Deer, Flattop Island, Great Blue Heron, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Johns Island, killer whale, Mandarte Island, Moresby Island, Mouflon Sheep, san juan islands, Sika Deer, Spainiards, speiden island, Steller Sea Lions, Stewart Island
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2012
We had wonderful views of 4 Transient Killer Whales! We first saw the Orca Whales near Green Point as they were traveling north. The pod included one physically mature male, he was massive. When we arrived on scene, the whales were taking turns slapping their tail flukes on the surface before they continued traveling north. They then circumnavigated Flattop Island, performed several lobtails and once again continued north.
After viewing the Transient Orca Whales we found Harbor Seals, one of the Transient Killer Whales primary prey species, soaking up the sunshine safely on the shores of Cactus Islands. A mature bald eagle was perched on a tree overlooking the scene. As we cruised along Spieden Island we observed a number of Mouflon Sheep, Sika Deer, and Fallow Deer. Then as we again neared Green Point we found one lone Steller Sea Lion cruising along the shore. He was lucky those Transient Killer Whales headed north. 
Naturalist Amy, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Tags: Bald Eagle, Fallow Deer, Harbor Seals, killer whales, Mouflon Sheep, orca whales, Sika Deer, Steller Sea Lions, Transient Orcas
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle | Comments Off
Tuesday, August 28th, 2012
We journeyed north around San Juan Island today, first passing Spieden Island en route to Haro Strait. Several mouflon sheep and sitka deer were feeding and resting on the hillside of Spieden Island. Somehow they can carefully traverse the cliffs just above the chilly waters. We circled exposed rocks to the southwest of the island where six harbor seals were resting. We spotted at least one pup. After we were south of Henry Island (48°35.33N, 123°12.53W) we began to see spray…the spray of four transient orcas! They were moving towards the northeast, hugging the shoreline. We believe this group included T19B. Just to the west, closer to Sydney Island (48°37.30N, 123°15.69W), we observed another group of four transients, possibly T60s, milling and then moving to the northeast. Upon our return to Friday Harbor, we encountered two bald eagles sitting together at the very top of a tree on the north side of Spieden Island. The appeared to be watching the surface waters for their next meal. Calm day on the water with so many things to see!
SJS Naturalist Jenny
Tags: Bald Eagles, Harbor Seal, Haro Strait, henry island, Mouflon Sheep, Orca whale, san juan island, Sika Deer, Transient Orcas
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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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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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Friday, June 15th, 2012
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.
Tags: Bald Eagles, Harbor Porpoise, j pod, Mouflon Sheep, orca whales, Orcas, san juan island, San Juan Safaris, seattle whale watching, Sika Deer
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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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Tuesday, June 5th, 2012
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
Tags: Bald Eagles, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seal, Haro Strait, San Juan Channel, seattle whale watching, Sika Deer
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