Kelly | M/V Sea Lion | 3/22/22 | 12:30PM
It was a quintessential pacific northwest day as we left Friday Harbor this morning, overcast and foggy. As we puttered through Friday Harbor on our way to San Juan Channel, a guest noticed something moving in the water. A lone Steller Sea Lion was swimming right at the mouth of the Harbor! Quickly we realized that this large Pinniped was not alone, 3 other Steller’s and a stoic bald eagle sitting in the evergreens were spotted nearby.
First official stop was Flattop Island. We slowly motored onto the shoreline and watched dozens of Harbor Seals hauled out on the rocky edge. A River Otter scurred out of the water, through a group of harbor seals, and into the brush nearby. Flattop island quickly became a juvenile Bald Eagle hot spot. An estimated 8 juveniles were spotted soaring or perched in the trees. Next, we continued north to Mandarte Island, known for supporting the largest seal bird colony in the area. Got a few great looks at cormorants, and then quickly headed south to the nearest cetacean report, a Gray whale north of Victoria.
Grey skies quickly turned blue and sunny as we made our way closer to the destination. A few exhales from a distance indicated the whale’s exact location as we slowed the boat and motored closer. Maintaining a respectable 200-yard distance, we watched as this grey whale surfaced and teased us with the just the tip of its tail. Getting close on time, we parted ways with the whale and headed towards Cattle Point. One last stop at Whale Rocks gave us some great looks at a group of over 50 Stellar Sea Lions before heading back into Friday Harbor.