Haleigh | M/V Sea Lion | October 7, 2022 | 12:30 pm
As we set off for our Classic Whale Watching tour today, we ventured south in search of wildlife. We made our way through San Juan Channel through feeding Harbor Porpoises and flocks of birds. After we travelled through Cattle Pass, we heard the roars of Steller’s Sea Lions hauled out on Whale Rocks. Some of the large sea lions were thrashing in the water while others were posed atop the rocks with heads regally pointed high towards the sky. Even the infant sea lions were following along with their larger brethren to position themselves.
We departed to continue our search and began crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Despite noticing feeding frenzies full of birds across the strait, we didn’t spot any marine mammals feeding on the same bait balls. A report of whales across the strait encouraged us to keep chugging south until, off in the distance, we caught our first glimpses of large, black dorsal fins. It was a group of 10 Bigg’s Killer Whales. As we neared towards these orcas, we learned they had been hunting a Minke Whale for almost a full hour. Moments before we arrived, these Bigg’s Killer Whales prevailed. We witnessed the act of prey sharing, where individuals successionally dive in towards one spot where the prey is located. A Minke take-down is a huge success, not an act one typically sees in the Salish Sea! These whales were celebrating this success, too.
The Bigg’s Killer Whales were identified as the T65A’s and T99’s. From our observations, they were taking a victory lap after what would have been an exhausting hunt. Minke Whales are 35-foot baleen whales that utilize the Salish Sea in the summer due to the abundance of prey. While most Minke Whales that visit here are juveniles, the individual ID’d was at least 40 years old!
It’s humbling to be amongst whales. Their presence is breath-taking and forces a silence amongst the watching crowd. While we mourn the loss of a resident Minke Whale, we are glad to see the Bigg’s Killer Whales flourishing in the Salish Sea.