Posts Tagged ‘Stuart Island’
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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Monday, April 30th, 2012
Almost left a naturalist at the dock today! With the winds prevailing, the naturalist wasn’t quite fast enough to get on board once she let the lines loose. Luckily the captain came back to pick her up at the “Spring Street Landing” dock. With all on board we headed out through the San Juan Channel. A light drizzle and sun-teasing skies had the crowd curious. We arrived at the first stop on the north side of Spieden Island and found one lonely Steller Sea Lion. Traveling our way through the channel between Stuart and Jones Island, wildlife was scarce and the crowd grew anxious. Mother Nature could tell we needed a little excitement so she whipped up a large gust of wind and off flew a fender, right from the top of the boat. With the water as choppy as it was, it seemed we had lost her for good. High winds and choppy seas are very unusual around the San Juan Islands April through October. We headed out towards Morsbey Island where we saw a few Harbor Porpoises and the excitement grew.
Next stop, Mandarte Island. The bird sanctuary was highly active with Cormorants and gulls. As we made our way further into Canada and past Sidney there were no Orcas in sight, even though we had a solid report of transients around 10:00 AM.
We headed back to the southern side of Spieden for a little more wildlife viewing. Sitka Deer and Mouflon Sheep were interspersed along the hillside. Little fawns were spotted, causing a few of the passengers to grow soft. As we approached the very end of the island we caught one last glimpse of excitement. 8 or so Bald Eagles were feeding on what appeared to be a baby Sika Deer carcass. Just in time for dinner!
All-in-all, it was another great day aboard the Sea Lion!
Naturalists Tara and Colleen and Captain Mike
Tags: Bald Eagle, Harbor Porpoise, Jones Island, Mouflon Sheep, Orcas, San Juan Channel, Sika Deer, Spieden Island, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Stuart Island, Transient Orcas
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Thursday, April 26th, 2012
Another beautiful sunny day in the San Juan Islands.
We saw several members of the J-pod including J2 “Granny” the 100 year old matriarch. After viewing the whales we motored through Mosquito Pass into Roche Harbor where a number of seabird species were observed including surf scoters, rhinoceros auklets, pelagic cormorants and pigeon guillemot
We ended our day traveling along Spieden Island where harbor seals and Steller sea lions were hauled out basking in the sunshine while 11 bald eagles soared in the skies above.
Naturalists, Amy and Colleen
April 26, 2012 Whale Watch Tour Route
Tags: Bald Eagle, friday harbor, Harbor Seal, Haro Strait, j pod, Mouflon Sheep, Orca whale, San Juan Channel, Sika Deer, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Stuart Island
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Sunday, April 22nd, 2012
California Sea Lion
A Warm Spring Day of Whale & Wildlife Watching from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
Today we took off with reports of our resident orcas coming north on the west side of San Juan Island.
We headed out of Friday Harbor going north making a stop at NWR Yellow Island, and rock outcroppings with 43+ snoozing Harbor Seals. We made our way along the coast of Speiden Island. Often times this is a great place to spot Bald Eagles – no Eagle this time. But we did see about 10 Sea Lions. All but one was a Stellar. The other was a California Sea Lion -deep dark brown in color with the telltale knot on his forehead as if he had been clobbered.
We made our way slowly into Haro Straight between Henry Island and Stuart Island. Up came dorsals. Out came whale breath. Over all there may have been 15 – 20 animals. They were traveling in small groups of 6 – 8 and it appeared to me that they were in a resting-style mode.
Residents can be very vocal. No vocalizations today – we dropped the hydrophone three separate times.
Residents can be very playful and energetic. None of that today. Lots of slow “up” and sinking back “down”. The water was glass-like. No wind. No noise. It felt very peaceful bobbing in the water with the engine off.
On the way home we did see at least two mature bald eagles, one in a nest. The boat made another quick stop on the end of Speiden. The Stellars and California Sea Lions were still in the water where we left them. Just before pulling into Friday Harbor we spotted a California Sea Lion hogging a red buoy. I think I saw some zzzzzz’s over his head.
And there was one Common Murre fishing next to the buoy to complete our wildlife viewing for today.
Naturalist, Colleen Johansen
San Juan Safaris Whale & Wildlife Watching
Tags: Bald Eagle, Cactus Island, California Sea Lion, Common Murre, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Haro Strait, henry island, j pod, K Pod, L pod, Orca whale, orca whales, Orcas, san juan island, san juan islands, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Spieden Island, Stellar sea lion, Stuart Island, yellow island
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Saturday, April 7th, 2012
Exciting first day on the water! Not only were we rewarded with an unseasonably gorgeous, sunny day, but, after 1 ½ hours of getting to the whales (this is very unusual, usually we travel about 30 to 45 minutes), we caught up with approximately 7 Transients traveling in Swainson Channel, just off Salt Spring Island, and with Ganges Harbor in sight. Since transients tend to travel in very small groups, 3 – 5, our sighting today was exceptional. Also exceptional was the fact that they continually surfaced, which gave us many good views.
On the way back, a fantastic showing of Bald Eagles on Stuart Island, including one perched confidently on the red roof of the lighthouse. Slow tour along Spieden Island ended with a mini-herd of Stellar Sea Lions (7-8) in a tight knit circle, right at Green Point, poised upright, noses in the air, seemingly frozen in place (& appearing to be worshiping the sun!).
Naturalists Lori, Shelly, and Colleen
Tags: Bald Eagle, friday harbor, Harbor Seal, speiden island, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Stuart Island, Transient Orcas
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011
After two whole days without orcas around (but with Humpbacks and Minkes!) our residents returned to the sound in full force.
There were lots of animals around on the way up to see the whales: harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and even a bald eagle! As for the whales, there were groups representing all 3 pods up in the area between Stuart and Pender Islands. When we came on scene the whales we were with appeared to be resting.
After about 20 minutes they suddenly turned around and sped up. There were whales everywhere. We were surrounded! As we prepared to leave the area a Humpback appeared, heading north. We had heard about the animal earlier in the day. We kept our distance and didn’t stop to watch the single whale, as it was entangled in fishing gear and there were boats around with the hopes of untangling it from the line.
Finally, on our way back we stopped around Speiden Island to view some mouflon sheep that were moving around right on the rocks near the water.
Laura and Kristen, Naturalists, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Humpback Whale, minke whale, Mouflon Sheep, orca whales, pender island, Spieden Island, Stuart Island
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Monday, July 18th, 2011
We started seeing the dorsal fins of K pod after exiting the Speiden Channel and spotted Deadhead (K-27) with her new son (K-44). The boy is her first offspring and he will remain unnamed until after he has survived a winter and is officially considered part of the pod. Researchers do this because of the alarming fact that only around half of the calves survive the first year of life. The first-born calf has an even lower survival rate which is believed to be partially due to the large amount of toxins they receive through the milk. The organic toxin Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is extremely concentrated in the orcas of the Salish Sea with the transients having the highest levels recorded in any marine mammal. PCBs are soluble in fats so they are found in high doses in the fat-rich milk of mothers. A female unloads a huge portion of the toxins she accumulated throughout her life onto her first child, with subsequent calves receiving much less of the chemicals. With hopeful thoughts of this little ones future, we watched him lobtail next to the cliffs and lighthouse of Stuart Island while the sun warmed the scene.
Kirsten, naturalist
Tags: Deadhead (K-27), K Pod, K-44, killer whales, orca whales, PCB, salish sea, Stuart Island, toxins, Transient Orcas, whale watching tour
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
All staff,
With a spectacular spring day, the MV Sea Lion and crew (Captain Craig and MikeO) headed north with our special charter of Western States Agency Policy Makers.
Ken Balcomb, of The Center for Whale Research, Kari Koski of The Whale Museums SoundWatch program and me were asked to describe in our view, the process that lead to the new NOAA rules. We were asked how those new rules would affect the whale watching industry and how they might affect the orca whales themselves.
Yesterday was what I call a “World Bank” day. In my past I have educated young children, then teenagers, then more influential adults. It became clear to in my forties how short life really is. I realized that if I were to make a difference, I needed to be talking to the “World Bank”
The people aboard the Sea Lion tour yesterday are mid-level managers through the northwest. The group was brought together by a bright, kind and gentle man who is making a real difference in the western United States as he develops and facilitates seminars relating to resource issues. His name is Mike Crouse.
It was Ken Balcomb who said that “These are serious people and I am impressed. Maybe there is hope for the future.”
What I want you to realize is that not every day is a “World Bank” day, but someone who you may have on your tour may just be waiting for that positive message that you deliver.
Please know that a few facts well-delivered with enthusiasm and conviction can make a big difference.
We did that yesterday.
Bill Wright
Owner, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours
Natural Resource Charter May 17, 2011
Tags: Bald Eagle, friday harbor, Harbor Seal, san juan islands, Stuart Island, yellow island
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Saturday, April 16th, 2011
Today was one of the sunniest, most beautiful days we have had all month, just in time for the official start of our season. The waters were calm as we headed out of the harbor toward Jones Island. The seals seemed to be as appreciative of the sun as we were and literally covered every exposed rock we passed by. Bald eagles were out in abundance and the passengers enjoyed seeing them both in flight as well as resting atop the trees.
We caught a quick glimpse of a shy harbor porpoise and then were treated to a great view of a half-dozen stellar sea lions hauled out on the rocks. We cruised up around Stewart Island where the more heartier passengers braved the wind and caught a little spray. Soon we tucked around the corner back into the lee of the islands where we saw more eagles, seals, and an abundance of cormorants and other sea birds.
The orcas managed to elude us today but the rest of the wildlife was fantastic. All in all it was a great start to the season. It was great to be back out on the water!
Laura, Naturalist
Tags: Bald Eagle, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, san juan island, San Juan Safaris, Steller\'s Sea Lion, Stuart Island
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Tuesday, March 29th, 2011
March 27, 2011
The first charter of the season
Today was the first official charter of the 2011 season! Captain Mike Kramer along with naturalists Colleen, Laura, and Mike took 22 brave passengers out in the cool temperatures and overcast skies.The group arrived from Seattle in style on the Kenmore Air Whale-Plane around 10am and we got underway shortly after. As we headed out of Friday Harbor the passengers bundled up in warm jackets and blankets and kept their eyes on the water for wildlife.
We encountered a couple shy Harbor Porpoise just off the west side of Yellow Island in the middle of San Juan channel in the first 20 minutes of the trip. We also found dozens of Bald Eagles and a few Harbor Seals both hauled out and bobbing in the water.
Speiden Island was teeming with Mouflan Sheep which were a treat for the group. And Stewart Island revealed one of the most exciting finds of the day, a Peregrine Falcon!
Even though it was a little chilly and wet everyone had a great time searching for all kinds of wildlife. It was a great start to the season, and we are all excited to start running regular trips in the next two weeks. We hope to see you out here soon! And be sure to check back for more sighting updates as we await our first Orcas of the season!
Naturalist Mike Oster
Sleepy Harbor Seal by Herb
Tags: Bald Eagle, Cactus Islands, friday harbor, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Mouflon Sheep, peregrine falcon, san juan island, Sika Deer, Spieden Island, Stuart Island, yellow island
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