Our day began with Harbor Seals! As usual they were taking advantage of the beautiful weather and having a snooze while soaking up the sunshine.Â
We then motored south through the San Juan Channel where we saw a number of marine mammal and seabird species including Harbor Porpoise, Steller Sea Lions, Common Murres, Rhinoceros Auklets, Cormorants, Harbor Seals, and a plethora of Gulls. These animals were most likely foraging in this highly productive area.Â
As we cruised south to look for Minke Whales, Captain Mike found a Northern Elephant Seal! SO COOL! However, when the seal dove we decided to continue our search for a Minke Whale since the average dive of a Northern Elephant Seal lasts approximately 30 minutes.Â
It wasnât too long before we found a Minke Whale, and the whale even had short dive times, only 4 minutes.  After capturing several glimpses of the Minke Whale it was time to begin our jaunt back to Friday Harbor. But the tour wasn't over yet, on the way back we stopped to view a mature Bald Eagle and at least 20 Steller Sea Lions hauled out on the rocky shores of Whale Rocks! Wooowhooo!Â
Good Times in the Salish Sea!
Naturalist Amy, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours