June 11th, 2022
Abby Dahl
12:30pm Osprey
We zipped out of the harbor at 12:30pm, an earlier sighting of Biggs killer whales rattling our brains. We took to the south, through San Juan Channel, harbor porpoises bobbing parallel to our vessel all the way to Cattle Point. We made a beeline for the report of killer whales which were traveling parallel to the western shore of Whidbey Island.
When we saw whales in the distance, guests rushed to the railing, jaws dropping for those who were having their first cetacean experience. We were with the T137 matriline:
- “Loon” T137 (Female) 1984
- “Jack” T137A (Male) 2002
- “Tempest” T137B (Female) 2006
- “Wright” T137D (Female) 2012
This family of killer whales was zigging and zagging through the water. It was evident to the naturalists on board that we were seeing some sort of predatory behavior. And then, a rarity. Orcas splashed, leaped. A carcass flung into the air. A poor little rock sausage (or, harbor seal) had become an unsuspecting meal. It only happens a couple times in any given season that we are a witness to this remarkable behavior. We were no longer mere onlookers, but a part of the ecosystem. Everyone was so entranced, guests and crew alike.
After this very special encounter, I jotted down a quick haiku in my naturalist journal:
Orcas danced with prey
Tribute to the Salish Sea
Seals scattered away
After making our way out of range from the T137’s, we traversed our way through shrimp pots on the southern end of Lopez island, and took a pit stop at one of my favorite haul-out sites; Whale Rocks. At Whale Rocks we both listened to and smelled the harbor seals and Steller’s sea lions that were unsuspectingly napping on the rocky shoreline. The perfect way to wrap-up a unique trip.