Whale watchers have been reporting a playful J pod lingering on the westside of San Juan Island for the past few days. The same was true of today’s voyage. Our guests were beside themselves listening to the cacophony of vocalizations on our hydrophone; the high-pitched whistles, squeaks, and utterances were non-stop. I was astounded myself!
Small groups of orcas were rolling about all over the place, floating on their backs, slapping the surface with their pectoral fins, spyhopping, breaching. The big bulls, Onyx and Blackberry, traveled in synchrony at one point. In all the rolling about we even sighted a “sea snake.” The PG rated nature of this blog limits my ability to provide details regarding this part of the bull’s anatomy. It’s better that you sign up for a trip and request information about “sea snakes” from your naturalist.
Captain Mike steered us near Whale Rocks on the way home to check up on the Steller’s Sea Lion population. There are still quite a few of the blubbery beasts lingering in the Salish Sea at this time of year.
Andrew, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris