Posts Tagged ‘Steller\’s Sea Lion’
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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Monday, October 8th, 2012
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.
Tags: Bald Eagle, Cattle Point, Harbor Seals, Humpback Whale, minke whale, octopus, seattle whale watching, Steller\'s Sea Lion
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Monday, October 1st, 2012
We found transients again today! They were nearly in the same area as they were 2 days ago, but this time it was a different group. We encountered them off Portland Island, just outside of Sydney, British Columbia. When we left them near Coal Island (48°41.83N, 123°22.19W), they were still traveling south. At first the animals were breaching and churning the surface of the water. At one point we saw the underside of a “sprouter” (pubescent) male as he rolled around on the surface. They settled down as the BC ferry blew by within 200 yards from the group. The light was perfect for photography, especially when the sun silhouetted their tall, misty blows as they prepared for a dive. The smoke from the forest fires has lifted at last, revealing stunningly clear vistas in all directions. It’s a perfect time to be wildlife watching in the San Juans. On top of the great weather and smaller crowds, whales are still around, Steller’s sea lions and Dall’s Porpoises can be found in greater numbers, and many new species of birds are traveling through on their southerly migration. Watching orcas is always a pleasure, but the highlight of the trip today came when a small group of Dall’s Porpoises surfed our bow wake right alongside the boat. They’re so fast!
Naturalist Andrew, San Juan Safaris
Tags: British Columbia, Coal Island, Orcas, Porpoise, Portland Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Transient Killer Whales, whales
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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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Tuesday, August 14th, 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
Tags: Bald Eagle, Bald Eagles, Cattle Pass, friday harbor, Harbor Seal, Harbor Seals, killer whales, minke whale, Salmon Bank, San Juan Channel, san juan island, san juan islands, seattle whale watching, Steller Sea Lions, Steller\'s Sea Lion, whale watching tour
Posted in orca whale watching by seattle, san juan island | Comments Off
Monday, July 23rd, 2012
Lots of wildlife today! First we saw about a dozen harbor seals just south of Friday Harbor, hauled up on the rocks. Then, at whale rocks we came across some pelagic cormorants, more harbor seals, plus a huge male stellar sea lion, a very rare sight for this time of year!
Continuing around towards the west side of San Juan Island, we came across at least seven killer whales. Both members of J and L pod were around. We identified L-86 “Onyx,” J-16 “Slick,” and L-92 “Crewser.” The whales were milling about, not in a hurry to go one direction or the other. We had amazing views of their white saddle and eye patches, especially when one orca spy hopped, bringing its head out of the water!
We then continued to circumnavigate the island, slowing just outside Roche Harbor where we saw a harbor seal aggressively foraging for food, two bald eagles, a great blue heron, and a turkey vulture! Not a bad way to end an amazing trip.
~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, j pod, killer whales, L pod, Orcas, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller\'s Sea Lion
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Sunday, July 15th, 2012
What I love about living in a rain shadow is that the weather tends to clear up in the afternoon, just around the time we reach whales. Today was one of those days. We departed Friday Harbor at 1:30 pm in a hazy fog, heading south. Expecting at least some rain, we all suited up in our yellow rain slickers, binoculars in hand. There were a few harbor porpoise, but what was super unusual were the two huge, male Stellar sea lions hauled out on Whale Rocks! We typically see these sea lions in the fall and spring, but not during their breading season which takes place in Alaska.
As for killer whales, they were everywhere! We came across a few females swimming south around 2:40 pm at Eagle Cove. At this time, the fog and any indications that there would be rain vanished, providing us with amazing visibility. The whales then changed direction and we caught up with both J and L pods. It seemed that you could look off our boat in any direction and see dorsal fins. Among the many whales around we identified J-8 “Spieden and L-92 “Crewser.” They weren’t traveling in any one direction, just socializing outside False Bay. Plus, we not only got amazing views of their bodies from some breaching and rolling over, but we dropped our hydrophone into the water and heard some amazing vocalizations as well! Definitely one of my top 3 trips of the season!
~Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, j pod, L pod, Orcas, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller\'s Sea Lion
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Wednesday, May 9th, 2012
A day of adventure here in the San Juan Islands. We departed on flat, calm water cruising north through the San Juan Channel when we heard reports of killer whales on the west side of the island near Kellet Bluff. We found the whales 1.5 miles offshore from Lime Kiln Point (48°32.49’N, 123°10.71’W).
The whales were members of J-Pod. They were spread out, and cruising along the coast headed south. A member of the L-Pod, L87 “Onyx”, was also seen among the J’s. Unfortunately the seas were deteriorating and the whales were headed into rougher waters, unusual for San Juan Islands, so we turned around and headed back to more sheltered waters. Even with the rougher seas we still had a great view of the whales. Thanks Captain Mike!
Back in calm waters we headed into the San Juan Channel and motored along the coast of Spieden Island. Over 60 Harbor Seals were hauled out on a rock just off the island while an immature Bald Eagle perched on a rock above. What a great photo opportunity! We then had wonderful views of the Sika deer and Mouflon sheep foraging on the hillside while a few mature bald eagles soared in the skies overhead. At the west end of the island a Stellar Sea Lion swam in the waters surfacing to capture glimpses of us while a California sea lion was hauled out on the rocky shore, seeming oblivious to our presence.
All smiles here in the San Juan Islands.
Naturalist, Amy
Tags: Bald Eagle, Harbor Seal, j pod, L pod, Mouflon Sheep, orca whales, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller\'s Sea Lion
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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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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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