Kelly | M/V Sea Lion | March 16th, 2024 | 12:30pm
Rare for the start of a season, we had not one…but two different whale reports as we left the harbor. We opted to first head north up San Juan Channel, investigating a solo male killer whale report around Crane Island. This killer whale was identified as:
- T49C Nielson 1998 M
As we arrived on scene, the bull was nowhere to be found. After a long 15 minutes of listening and anticipation, that massive 6ft tall dorsal fin appeared! We watched this adult male swim with impressive speed down San Juan Channel. It appeared as if he was on a mission, perhaps he had a hot date? Interestingly, about 10 miles in the direction he was heading was the location of our 2nd whale report- a group of 5 whales just beyond the Cattle Pass. How curious…
We left our solo male, Nielson, and continued down San Juan Channel to check in on that 2nd whale report. Now officially identified as:
- T36A1 Tiernna 2005 F
- T36A1A ---- 2002 M
- T99B Holly 2007 F
- T30A Sequoia 1986 M
- T30C Salix 2005 F
When we arrived at their reported location, we quickly realized these whales were split into two distinct groups. Mom and baby (T36A1 & T36A1A) with Holly (T99B) made up the larger group offshore. The 2nd group was tight against Long Island’s shoreline, made up of the T30’s brother and sister duo. For our entire encounter, the two groups sustained the ¼ mile separation. We were closest to the group of three, who appeared to be feeding. Gulls often opportunistically scavenge after a hunt has commenced, diving at the water for food scraps. That was certainly the case today, the gulls followed this group for our entire encounter. Not to mention, another clear feeding indication being a massive chunk of meat in T36A1A’s mouth as he surfaced! These whales were certainly excited about the tasty meal, showing off with a few spyhops and full body breaches! In the distance, we could also see the T30’s engaging in various surface activities including breaches, tail and pec slaps. My personal favorite moment was when one member of the group of three accented their spyhop with a loud surface vocalization. This vocalization sounded just like gleeful pig squeal! It’s extremely rare to hear orca vocalization above the surface, I have only heard it one other time in my 4 years on the water.
On our way back to Friday Harbor we made time for a quick stop at Whale Rocks, a favored hotspot for Stellar sea lions. We watched these impressive pinnipeds as they vocalized with those classic low frequency roars. Just before pulling into the Harbor, we found mister Nielson from earlier in the tour! Still making his way down San Juan Channel, but this time with no urgency at all. Lingering just outside the southern entrance to Friday Harbor, moving at a snail’s pace with every surface and often changing his direction. So much for the hot date…
This is one of my most memorable whale watches for multiple reasons, but I certainly will not ever forget the sound of that surface vocalization. So happy to experience this with a full boat of excited passengers!