That’s just how the cookie crumbles. When my granny bequeathed to me this idiom, I understood that sometimes you’re unlucky, and sometimes you win big. Whereas yesterday’s guests rode wild seas and saw zero whales, today’s guests experienced placid waters and a once-in-a-lifetime whale sighting.
East of Orcas Island, the M/V Sea Lion glided beside a group of approximately eight transient killer whales. The light was ideal for photography as Captain Mike set us up to enjoy the sun glistening on the water-glazed bodies of the whales with ominous rain clouds and the heavily forested northern slope of Orcas Island in the background.
The pod of orcas seemed to be in a playful mood as some members made energetic half-breaches and others swam upside down, waving their flippers and flukes in the air. Killer whales in the San Juans may go on deeper dives that last three to five minutes. During this time, whale watching captains do their best to parallel the pack in a predictable fashion and maintain the 200 yard distance required by law. Sometimes pods change direction beneath the surface, however, and today they popped up right behind us. Captain Mike quickly shut off the engine to minimize our disturbance and allow the animals to pass, but the orcas picked a path directly for our boat. I knew then that our guests were in for a special treat. When the pod dove under the M/V Sea Lion, our incredulity was palpable. To see the entire length and girth of a mature bull just beneath your feet is overwhelming and to watch him surface just a few yards away, with 6 foot dorsal fin quivering as it cuts the water, is awe-inspiring.
Andrew Munson
Naturalist, M/V Sea Lion
San Juan Safaris
