Those aboard M/V Sea Lion today were treated to an incredible day! This time of year we are lucky enough to frequently see orcas on our trips, but whenever we are out on the water and are treated to orcas it is truly an amazing trip!
When we headed out, Captain Pete was optimistic with reports that we had heard in the area, so we all headed out of Friday Harbor and south in San Juan Channel. We were treated to some gorgeous views of Cattle Point Lighthouse on the southern tip of San Juan Island as we headed up the west side of San Juan Island. Working our way up we quickly realized that we were in the presence of multiple members from J pod! J Pod is a pod of our Southern Resident Orcas- whom are always exciting to see on the water.
As we stayed with the whales we saw them forage and play, we were even treated to some surface action including some fun spyhops! We continued to work our way up the West Side and were pleasantly surprised to continue to find more orcas! One adolescent male came right up to the starboard side of SeaLion and treated us to some incredible photo opportunities, as well as the ability to get a good look at his dorsal fin and saddle patches!
We stayed with these gorgeous whales for a bit longer, enjoying the presence of these incredible Southern Resident Orcas, able to spend a nice amount of tie watching them at the surface swimming on the West side. On the way home we stopped at Whale Rocks and checked out some entertaining Harbor Seals and Stellar Sea Lions who were all sunning themselves on the rocks, looking as happy as tourists on a cruise ship tanning on it’s deck.
What an incredible day on the water! I adore any day we get to see wildlife, but getting to see our Resident Orcas was a truly fantastic day!
Until Next Time,
Naturalist Alexandria