Approximately fifteen killer whales stunned spectators when the animals scoffed at the directional predictions of the crew and instead burst to the surface just behind the M/V Sea Lion. After regaining our breath, we paralleled the tightly-packed posse as they transited south along the westside of Saturna Island, British Columbia. The light was perfect and afforded many a classic photo of orcas surfacing in series, puffing salt spray into the air. Rarely do we see such a well-attended assembly of transient killer whales. Had a discerning naturalist not identified them as such, later-arriving whale watch boats may have assumed incorrectly that we were viewing the endangered Southern Resident killer whale, for it is usually this ecotype that congregates in large familial pods.
While the whales were the undisputed highlight of our adventure, the cruise north past the San Juans and into the Canadian Gulf Islands was a delight of the senses. Under scenic blue skies with puffy cumulous clouds, we soaked in the warmth of the sun while barreling up the fjords of Mayne Island. We glided by sunning harbor seals, soaring eagles, and feral sheep grazing the steep slopes. As the slot narrowed around us, some passengers puzzled about which impossibly slim outlet would signal the end of the maze. Our knowledgeable captain finally picked a familiar door, an opening barely wider than the Sea Lion itself and just deep enough to accommodate our draft. Lush green sea lettuce and vivid purple sea stars glistened on the rocks as we squeaked through into the vast Strait of Georgia with the colossal cranes of Vancouver, B.C. in the distance.
Andrew Munson
Naturalist, M/V Sea Lion
San Juan Safaris
