What do you do when there are no reports of whales? Which way do you go so that you are in the best position in case whales are spotted? How do you predict where whales are going to be? The answers are - wildlife tour, any way you want and you don't. The hardest part about being a Marine Naturalist when there are no whales, is convincing people that no one else is seeing whales either and that when it comes to our orca whales, it is impossible to predict when and where they will be anywhere. Even if you left them there last night, or two hours ago. Wild animals roam, just as ancient humans used to do in response to the movements of those same animals. Of course, there is a method to the madness of that roaming, but without the ability to live the exact life or understand the words associated with that travel, we will never fully understand the reasoning behind any of it. Since that is the case, then we must muddle through the best that we can and have as many adventures along the way as possible.
With the dilemma of direction of travel upon us today, Capt. Mike, Casey and I decided that South was the way to go and hopefully we would be the boat to find a whale and again be heroes. It turned out to be a beautiful trip and one that I had a great deal of fun on, the wet seat of my pants included. With me chatting up the people in the bow of the boat and Lauren covering the stern with Casey floating back and forth, we discussed island history and geography, watched seabirds feeding on baitballs, spotted eagles, seals and porpoises, and laughed at each others antics. The sun came and went and the clouds provided us with an orca look-alike. We never did find any whales, but there was no lack of company or topics for discussion. As always, it was a lovely day on the water.
So, from all of us at San Juan Safaris, to all of you who think that life is better on the the "Old Salty", thank you and we will...
See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist