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...

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...

I experienced something new and beautiful today. We had a service at sea during the first part of a charter trip this morning. Not much to say except that we were honored to be a part of it. After which we headed north, first slowing by Spieden Island looking for muflon sheep and deer, but seeing a few harbor seals resting on the rocky shore and a group of harbor porpoises surfacing in front of our boat!

We then went around the top of San Juan Island and saw our first killer whale...

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

 

Canada was our destination today, so we left Friday Harbor heading north fast. The longer trip was well worth it though. We spotted at least fifteen members of J-pod just off the west side of North Pender (48°48.22’N 123°19.93’W) traveling north. The whales were very close, almost on top of each other—true family bonding! We identified members of both the J-22’s including “Oreo” (J-22)and her son “Cookie” (J-38), the J-17’s including “Princess Angeline” (J-17) and her daughter...

The weather we had in the San Juan Islands today is what Washington residents live for during the dark winters.  Crystal blue skies, a scattering of puffy white clouds, calm waters, no wind, and mild temperatures made for an excellent boat cruise.  It also made our guests from Texas very happy.  We left Friday Harbor and headed down the eastern side of San Juan Island past Griffin Bay.  Several harbor seals were hauled out on an exposed rock, keeping warm in the sunshine.  As it is...

We traveled all the way to Victoria BC to see three different pods of Southern Resident Killer Whales. When multiple pods of whales come together it is called a super pod! 

Members of the J- and K-pods were traveling together, moving through Enterprise Channel between Victoria and Trial Island (48 24.46N, 12318.64W), with individuals from L-pod roughly 1 mile offshore.  The whales were traveling in an easterly direction. 

We were all captivated by the whales.  At times over 20...

The trip began with beautiful sunshine as we headed north out of the San Juan Islands.  Passing the west side of Orcas Island, we saw Harbor Seals in their familiar yoga pose; a U-shape to keep their head and hind-flippers out of the cold Salish Sea!  We spotted a gull picking a fight with a golden eagle, not sure who won that battle.  As we wound through Plumper Sound, we had a chance to see the topography and geologic marvels that are the Southern Gulf Islands.  We cruised through...

Our tour took us east to Bellingham Channel where we spent time with at least 7 members of J-Pod, including J26 “Mike” (48°35.11N, 122°40.29W).  Initially the whales were spread out across the channel traveling south, although upon our arrival a calf did greet us with two breaches!  As the whales travelled through the channel a few individuals lob-tailed while others were suspected of foraging as they changed directions quickly and frequently.   By the time we left the...

It was a calm and foggy day out on the water.  The majestic M/V Sea Lion cruised out of the mist on an exploration for whales!  We headed south through Cattle Pass towards Admiralty Inlet, and just beyond Smith Island (48°20’N, 122°58’W), we found two groups of transient orcas.  We estimated about 10 orcas altogether.  We were on a zig-zag pattern and it was though they were swimming on all sides towards the southwest.  Two breached and put on a show!  We also had a visit by a Minke...