M/V Sea Lion with Captain Brian Goodremont at the helm, myself and a dozen bundled up guests departed Friday Harbor with reports of killer whales in the Salish Sea. As we traveled south through San Juan Channel, we slowed down to observe Steller Sea Lions that gather this time of year on and around Whale Rocks in Cattle Pass.
As we were watching these massive animals (think of them as the grizzly bears of the seas!) a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfaced about a hundred yards from the boa tand surprised us. After the Minke whale passed by, we left the sea lions to head out the Orcas last know location. To our wonderful surprise it was groups of all three of our Southern Resident Pods, J, K and L. The whales were spread out over a two mile area, which left our excited guests not knowing what direction to look.
We then heard from another vessel on the water that among the Orcas were 2-3 Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Sure enough it didn't take long before we saw the much larger spout of the Humpbacks. At 42 to 46 feet in length and approximately 1 ton per foot, this indeed was an incredible sight to see Humpback whales traveling with Orcas!
Eventually, as we got closer to the Humpbacks, we noticed that the Humpbacks were producing a high pitch noise during exhalation that biologists refer to as "trumpeting." They believe trumpeting occurs when Humpbacks are stressed or anxious. Even though the Southern Resident Orcas only consume fish and will not prey on these large whales, it doesn't mean that the Humpbacks are not going to be a little on the nervous side!
Captain Brian and myself certainly didn't need to express to our guests that this was indeed a unique and amazing experience, and one of the most incredible wildlife encounters in my 15 years on the water!
Kevin, Naturalist
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