Haleigh | M/V Kestrel| August 15, 2021 | 10:00 am
We got underway this morning as clouds rolled towards Friday Harbor from the south. Luckily, we were heading north, following reports of Bigg’s Killer Whales near Vancouver, BC. Out on the water the swells were small and the sky over us stayed blue as we headed towards Canada full speed ahead, knowing we had a lot of ground to cover. We made a stop at Flat Top island to admire some plump and adorable Harbor Seals before continuing on our way.
Soon we crossed into the protected water of Plumper Sound in Canada near Saturna and South Pender Island for one of the more beautiful cruises I’ve been on. The sun was shining off the glassy, blue protected waters and we were all excited knowing we were on our way to see Killer Whales!
As we followed the whale reports the water turned a light gray and became murkier as they led us to the mouth of the Fraser River in Canada. The Fraser is the longest river in British Columbia, and historically has had a significant salmon run that recently has been in steep decline. You could really see the waters change as the river discharged sediment and fresh water into the Salish Sea.
As we approached the scene we realized we were looking at our 3 rebellious teens - siblings T77C “Neftali” and 77D “Alcyon”, travelling with 49A2 “Jude”! Unlike most teen orcas who stick close to their mother and the rest of their siblings, these teens have been roaming around on their own for most of the summer. Today they were playing in Canadian waters!
At one point, one of the three teens breached, while the others were tail slapping! We had some of our best looks when the group popped up after a dive at our 8 o’clock and made a slow, close pass by our stern. As the bell buoys clanged the whales headed off, making their way north as we peeled off to the south. After an adventurous cruise home we arrived at Friday Harbor, a little damp from the sea spray but deeply satisfied by an exciting day with the whales.