Today we left Friday Harbor with reports of transient orcas North of Waldron Island. Transient orcas are the mammal eating types of orcas that feed primarily or harbor seals in our area. We met up with the whale in the Strait of Georgia where we saw the whole family traveling together in a tight group. Specifically the whale were the T65A's which consist of T65A and her four offspring, the youngest being born this past March. The family was moving North up the Strait of Georgia at a nice steady pace. We watched the family for some time and then headed back towards Friday Harbor. On the way home we saw a large group of harbor seals hauled out onto a rock near East Point. As we got closer to Friday harbor we were pleasantly surprised by a stellar sea lion swimming in the water! Then about 50 feet away we saw a harbor seal swim through the water. This was a great way for guests to get an idea of how big stellar sea lions are. Harbor seals weigh about 200 pounds while stellar sea lions can way up to 2,000 pounds! We had a beautiful relaxing day out on the water and the guests all seemed to enjoy seeing a family of transient orcas.
Naturalist Rachel
M/V Sea Lion, San Juan Safaris