Olivia Esqueda | April 14th, 2025 | M/V Osprey | 2:00pm
We love sunny days with calm seas and whales nearby- which is exactly what this afternoon brought! We started off our trip heading north through San Juan Channel until we came upon Spieden Island. This privately owned island has the largest bloom of pink flowers (invasive and a part of the geranium family) that we have seen in years and, contrasted with the green shoreline and the mouflon sheep lambs prancing around, it engulfs the definition of spring! We turned into Spieden Channel and stopped briefly to see Harbor Seals and discuss their important role in the ecosystem before we carried on just a little further to where the T049A’s were hanging around.
This matriline of Bigg’s Killer Whales is one we see commonly, and definitely a favorite among the naturalists with the youngest, T049A6 [Charlie 2, born in 2022], having an adorable underbite. This family decided they were hungry for a marine mammal and began hunting at the surface; including many lobtails, pectoral slaps, a few breaches, and a peduncle throw!
After such a wonderful experience, we headed back towards Spieden Island and took advantage of seeing many Bald Eagles, Canada Geese, a Bald Eagle’s Nest, lots of Mouflon Sheep, and heaps of Steller’s Sea Lions! Overall, it was a well-rounded, stunningly beautiful trip- we are already excited to get back out on the water!