The naming of an orca calf is a sensitive and involved process.  By the means of soliciting suggestions, sifting through the offerings and choosing the best options, and then serving up the prime choices for heated voting, orcas are endowed with monikers that help elevate them to the most regal of heights within the marine mammal community.  These chiefly labels will help the orcas define and express their personalities, strengths and values.  Because of this, orca calves must...

At this point, our avid readers know that orcas are the world's largest dolphins, despite the fact that their common name is Killer Whale.  Because the name Killer Whale is such a misnomer we almost exclusively use their scientific title of orca.  Up until this week they were also the only dolphins that we see in the Salish Sea.  There have always been vague reports about Pacific White-sided Dolphins being spotted in these waters, but the reliability of those reports always...

Being on the water six days a week pretty much guarantees that a person is going to see all things imaginable when it comes to these orcas.  That, of course, in no way diminishes my excitement in seeing them each and every time.  They are beautiful and sleek and amazing and unpredictable.  Despite the regulations that govern boating around these animals, sometimes mistakes happen and boats get caught out with an orca too close.  Eventually the odds are going to turn on you, since...

Last evening we headed towards the southern tip of San Juan where Cattle Point Lighthouse is located.  This is our last week of sunset tours and I'm really going to miss the way that lighthouse looks against a setting sun.  That thought was interrupted when we spotted Stellar Sea Lions showing off their large bodies on Whale Rocks.  These sea lions can weigh up to 2200 lbs!  We continued up the west side of San Juan where we encountered the L-pod around False Bay.  The whales...

Victoria, B.C. with orca and ship. Photo courtesy of Jeanne Hyde

What is the measure of a whale watching adventure?  Well, today it was distance.  Capt. Mike decided that our options were to go big or stay home and staying home was not actually an option.  So, venturing further than prudence dictates, we sought out the orcas beyond the visible limits of San Juan Island.  Beyond even the limits of Victoria, B.C.

The water was calm and the sun was shining and lucky us we were...

Wow, yet another beautiful whale filled day in the San Juans! This time of year it seems I could start every blog that way! The weather and the whales have fully cooperated and we've been blessed with fantastic trips for weeks and weeks on end!

Today I was aboard the Kittiwake with Captain Mike and a boatload of guests. We cruised southbound over toward False Bay. If you are a frequent reader of our blogs, this location will be of no surprise to you.

The Southern Resident orcas were...

Fog is fascinating and something I miss about the Central Valley of California.  After driving in tule fog in the dark anything else seems like gravy.  (Meaning easy, not, as thick as.)  In the past few days though, the islands have delivered up some pretty good shows of fog.  Last night was absolutely surreal, what with us being on a boat floating around in something that resembled a dream since we could not see more than 100 yards in any direction.  Forget about seeing land.  It...

What a beautiful day for a whale watch!  Sunny, warm and calm waters. The whales were reported to be off the west side of San Juan Island but by the time we were off and running they had made their way up to Saturna island. These whales were moving really fast! Captain Mike positioned us just ahead of the leaders and far enough away from other boats to lower our hydrophone (our underwater microphone). Wow they were really making a lot of noise! The tide was changing and the whales...

Seeing the San Juan Islands is magical and seeing the orcas can be downright transcendental for some.  But, when you can pair those two things with a major milestone in a person's life it becomes a rare and unique moment that makes existence in this world a more glorious thing.  It also shines a light on one of the reasons why I have always chosen to live the impoverished lifestyle of a naturalist/wildlife rehabilitator/marine mammal rescuer/zookeeper.  Much as it is said that...

The amount of activity that we are seeing out of the orcas this season is amazing.  They seem far more acrobatic and aerially inclined than they were last year.  Of course that is undoubtedly just my generous heart making me see more than there really is, but I think it is spectacular.  Especially all of the aggressive feeding that we are able to watch day after day.  It suggests good things about the salmon run this year and means that all of our new moms will be well able to feed...