Orca off South West End of San Juan Island Sunset Whale Watch Tour
Last evening I got out from behind the computer and went on the 5:30 whale watching tour. It is the "lighting". I just love it around 7:00 pm when eveyone's faces are warm from the sunlight. The Madrone trees seem firey and the summer grass on the hills glows.
There were many, many whales out off San Juan Island last evening. A guest took a photo and Serena ID'd the orca as Cappucino. The orcas were doing lots of fishing. The movements they were making near the surface - back and forth, back and forth - then there were some spy hops and some well, was it "love" in the water?
The seabirds were partying on an outcrop. Sea Lions and Harbor Seal were all having a snooze - lazin' about. A couple bald eagles were circumnavigating Spieden Island.
We passed through Mosquito Pass (Roche Harbor) named so because the boats through that passage were as thick as mosquitoes. We slowly passed homes gleaming in the late light, little private docks, little private boats, large private boats (none with helicopters tonight) and more Madrone trees popping out past Pearl Island near Spieden Island.
18 knots and 25 minutes later we came around the corner and there was our little town on the hill - Friday Harbor with its evening lights twinkling. Home Sweet Home.
Sea Lions and Seals Sunset Whale Watch Tour July
Male Southern Resident Orca Whale Sunset Whale Watch Tour
Madrone Trees on the Sunset Whale Watch Tour
Guest on the Sunset Whale Watch viewing snoozing harbor seals
Male Orca Dorsal on the Sunset Whale Watch Tour July
Lookin' Around (spy hop) Taken on a Sunset Whale Watch Tour
It's a Sea Bird Party! Sunset off San Juan Island
Young Guests Viewing Wildlife at Sunset
There's A Serious Photographer - Photographers Love the Sunset Tour