Savoring the last day of Memorial Day weekend, Capt. Craig, Tristen, and I departed Friday Harbor aboard the MV Sea Lion with a boat full of guests, excited to see orcas. Yesterday was a new moon and today we had tide fluctuation of 12 feet (a -3.22 low) so we pushed on through choppy Cattle Pass, determined to catch up with J Pod. We reached J1, Ruffles, while parallel with the northen most portion of American Camp on the southern end of San Juan Island.
J Pod was busy foraging along the westside of San Juan Island. The guests caught some great glimpses at J Pod's oldest male (J1), as well as some fantastic views of J17 and her new calf J44. It was rough out in the Haro Strait today, but that didn't hinder the excitement of viewing J Pod fishing off of the south and west side of the island.
On our way back we saw some of the other wildlife that are around the islands, including bald eagles, harbor seals, and a California sea lion.
What a great day.
Ashley, Naturalist
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©