09/23/17- M/V Kestrel- 2PM
We had great reports leading up to today’s trip! We headed South via San Juan Channel, towards the Strait of Juan de Fuca, where we had reports of some of our Southern Resident Killer Whales traveling West.
On our way towards the whale reports we stopped at whale rocks to look at some Steller’s Sea Lions. These huge animals, roughly 12 feet long and 2,500 pounds, were soaking up some sun on the rocks. It is so nice to have these pinnipeds back in the area. All of the Steller’s leave for Alaska during the summer for their breeding season.
We then cruised over to the orcas and got to spend a good amount of time with them since they were so close to Friday Harbor. We hung out with the L55’s for a while and watched as the whales varied between grouping up together and spreading out to feed. We got some particularly great looks at Kasatka and Finn, two members of the L55 family. We also got to see some amazing surface behaviors including tail slaps and spyhops.
We decided to circumnavigate San Jaun and head up the West side, towards Lime Kiln lighthouse. Our guests were thrilled at the opportunity to spend time with our well-known Southern Resident whales. We were also lucky enough to get a beautiful sunny day to be out on the water!
Naturalist, Rachel