[7/5/17 ~ 2pm KL ~ Naturalist Sarah C ]
Transient killer whale sightings have been off the hook this season! And because their food source (harbor seals, porpoises, sea lions, and other whales) are so abundant and widespread here in the Salish Sea, these whales are also widespread and common. Sightings of transient orcas have taken us to almost every channel, strait, and pass in the San Juans, giving us beautiful and varying scenery along with excellent success in finding whales!
Today's tour brought us northeast to a report of a family of transient orcas moving up Rosario Strait, which runs between mainland Washington and the San Juans. On our way, we stopped to watch some seals hauled out on Flattop Island, including a momma seal and her new pup! We also got to view a bald eagle among the cedars and a juvenile bald eagle in flight.
We were surprised by a new report of a humpback whale in the area, so of course we had to take a few extra minutes to go catch a few looks! When we arrived on scene, we were quickly surrounded by HUNDREDS of harbor porpoise, popping up all around us quickly, their dark backs gleaming in the sunlight. We saw a large blow in the distance - our humpback had been spotted! We slowly motored a little closer to this 50-foot whale, watching it fluke out twice before we continued eastward to the anticipated orca report.
We passed by beautiful Sucia and Matia Islands into Rosario Strait, with Bellingham and Mt. Baker stretching out beside us. We soon caught sight of a group of 6 orcas - identified as the T37's and lone male T51. We watched them move gracefully up and down the coastline, most likely searching for their next blubbery meal.
After some beautiful looks of all three of these whale species, we were ready to zoom back to the harbor and enjoy the rest of this perfect summer day in the San Juans. We arrived to 75 degree weather and abundant sunshine, a full evening of daylight ahead of us!
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