Kelly | M/V Kestrel | Setptember, 4th 2024 | 2:00pm
The sun was OUT as we left the harbor aboard the M/V Kestrel. A much-needed break from the unusually gloomy weather we'd been experiencing at the tail end of our summer season. We turned left out of the harbor and motored up San Juan Channel to our first destination, White Rock. White Rock is a hot spot for our local rock sausages aka harbor seals. We found a large group of these loveable pinnipeds lounging along the rocky shoreline. This group was a perfect example of our local population’s wide variety in coat patterns, from all white to all black and every mixture in between.
Next, we pointed north and quickly crossed the border in Canada. Our intention was to meet up with a group of Biggs killer whales at the mouth of Active Pass-quite far north. However, the universe had other plans. Shortly after we crossed the border, we heard word from another boat that a group of killer whales was found just a couple miles north of us. This was very exciting news! This group was not only closer to us, but as we would soon find out…actively hunting! It became apparent there was something going on as soon as we arrived on scene. This group of 4 whales was swimming in circles, surfacing frequently and moving fast. Suddenly, with its entire body, one whale launched into the air. With incredible force, it rammed a harbor porpoise midair. Sending the small cetacean flying several feet above the orca. At times, it can be hard to say with 100% certainty what the whales are doing, but not in this moment. It was very clear we were witnessing a high-speed harbor porpoise hunt. We then noticed the whales slow, and the gulls slowly began to creep in; a tell-tale sign that the hunt has commenced, and food sharing has begun. As they ate their well-earned meal, we noticed something in the water drifting towards our boat. It appeared bright red and roughly the size of beachball. It was….in fact…. The still intact lungs of the unlucky harbor porpoise. For some reason, Biggs killer whales do not like to eat harbor porpoise lungs. If you’re lucky enough, like everyone on board the M/V Kestrel today, you’re treated to a glimpse of the gruesome leftovers. After the lung excitement had subsided, we continued to watch the whales as they circled around the south side of Patos Island. As an additional treat, one of the younger whale spy-hopped, launching the full upper half of their upright body out of the water.
Our final stop of the tour was a rocky reef offshore from Sucia Island. This reef was pepped with both harbor seals and Stellar sea lions. Both species were hauled out of the water and soaking up the sunshine. We continued across the top of Sucia’s finger islands, a cluster of beautiful long sandstone islands. On our way back into Friday Harbor, we cruised along the orcas island shoreline admiring the dense evergreen forest and various rock formations. ns