It's been that kind of summer... Transient Orcas have been everywhere-surfacing in the distance, hunting for seals and porpoise, and giving us close encounters. It's been a little while since we saw Transients out on Middle Bank off the West side of San Juan Island. The M/V Kittiwake and guests went out to find them!
Transient Orcas have been seen much more than any other and we are certainly getting to know their habits and cultures more. The transients we saw today surprised us all by surfacing just next to our floating boat! Their exhalation sound actually startled me! From that close, we could clearly see the nicks in their dorsal fins that makes them easily distinguishable from one-another. Transients are always fun to watch. Just the other day, we all watched as another pod fished a Harbor Seal out of a kelp mat, tracked, killed and fed on it. They are just incredible mammals! Everyday is a good day when we have Orcas around.
Heather, Naturalist, M/V Kittiwake and Sea Lion
San Juan Safaris