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Sunset Orcas


Our sunset trip started out at about 5:30 PM and we headed south. The seas were glassy, super calm. We got word that the Orcas were near False Bay and heading up island. We rushed over there and immediately were able to identify J-1, “Ruffles”, we then saw granny, Riptide, Sachi and a few others.

We were so excited, J-pod twice in a row! It’s always so amazing to see Granny; she is estimated to be 98 years old and the matriarch of J-pod. She is also a movie star; her future role was in Free Willy 2!

We watched J-pod as they cruised with the current toward Lime Kiln State Park. They traveled very close together for a while, and then spread out of a little. We put our hydrophone in the water, we waited to hear if they were vocalizing, but we could only hear some faint sounds.

We then headed north to Spieden Island. At night when it’s cool some deer and sheep come out of the woods and graze. These animals are non-native to this area, but are super fun too see. We also saw two Bald Eagles on the Cactus Islands. Another great trip filled with wildlife!

Naturalist Jeannette Miller



Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. © San Juan Island near Seattle: Home to the Southern Resident Killer Whales
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