Okay, well it was actually all of us on the M/V Sea Lion that were doing the rocking and rolling, but I am sure that the orcas were having some fun too. Especially if all of the breaches by the calf were any indication of their state of mind. The waters were rough, (unusual for the San Juan Islands), but our guests were tougher and we prevailed in the end. The orcas were spread all along the south end of San Juan Island in little clusters that were hard to find until we stumbled upon each one. Despite the heavy spray and the pitching of the boat, our guests were good spotters and helped Lauren, Capt. Craig and me track the orcas on our quest.
When we had all seen our fill, and were ready for some drier conditions, we moved on up the west side of the island and through Mosquito Pass. Ah, the lull of calm waters was intoxicating and we slid past Henry Island and Roche Harbor with nary a care in the world. Over at Spieden Island we saw numerous members of both the mouflon sheep and fallow deer herds and the bald eagle on O'neil Island is still working hard at incubating the eggs in it's nest.
All in all it was an action packed day and I for one will be sleeping well tonight as visions of killer whales dance in my head.
So, from all of us here at San Juan Safaris, to all of you with cast iron constitutions, thank you and we will...
See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist