We started our adventure with a little rainfall as we left the harbor but within minutes the rain stopped and after heading south for a few more minutes, we found two harbor seals hauled out and resting. After cruising just another 10 minutes south, we spotted some dorsal fins off of Cattle Point, and then more dorsal fins and then even more. We had discovered a very spread out J-pod! The pod was split up into several different groups, some of which were diving for extended periods of time (several minutes), others were tail slapping and others were breaching full out of the water. We had sightings of Mike and Blackberry as well as the calf Looker and a possible sighting of Granny.
After watching the orcas for a few minutes, we circled around Whale Rock and found six to eight Stellar Sea Lions frolicking in the water and a few more hauled out on the rock. We returned to watching J-pod as they continued traveling north towards and then past Friday Harbor. We left the pod and found a lone Bald Eagle perched at the very top of a tree next to a stream just north of the harbor. Returning to the harbor, we passed... J-pod again! All in all, a very productive wildlife watching day!
Serena
Naturalist, San Juan Safaris