Olivia | M/V Kestrel | September 20th, 2020 | 14:00
Setting off the dock for the second time today, Captain Brian and I knew that the Bigg’s Killer Whales we found in the morning had traveled north towards Point Roberts in the Strait of Georgia. Being the only potential whale sightings for the day, we decided to risk it and head that direction. Coming on scene, we found the same family, the T123’s, about as far northwest as we can go in the Strait of Georgia while remaining on the U.S side. This family was spunky, spy hopping, lunging, rolling- they were playful!
We were able to spend a good chunk of time with these whales before heading back south. The most exciting moment of the trip [despite the obviousness of viewing playful Killer Whales] was when we found not one, but TWO Humpback Whales! These were the first Humpback Whales that I have personally seen in almost two months. This duo was traveling directly on the border, so we pulled back a bit on the U.S side but were gifted with phenomenal views. Not only were their large spouts aiming directly in the afternoon sun, but they started fluking together when the previous vessel claimed they had not been. What special timing. And then the craziest thing happened! They started smacking their pectoral fins on the surface of the water! Let me just yell out that this was the best Humpback experience of the year!
Being so far away, we had to start aiming towards Friday Harbor to make it back in the four-hour time slot. We made one last quick stop off Patos Island to enjoy the glassy waters combined with the currants and the immense amount of Harbor Porpoise foraging in the nutrient rich waters. Wrapping up the day, we all left with high spirits and a newfound appreciation for all the wild marine mammals.