09/04/17- M/V Kestrel- 10AM & 2PM
Today was by far one of the best days out on the water for me this season. On our first trip we had a whale watching trifecta, which is when we see all three main species of whales that we watching this area; minke, humpback and orca. On our second trip we got to see transients and our long missed resident whales, who were back in the area for the first time in 29 days. Not only were the whales amazing, but we had enthusiastic and curious guests who wanted to see and learn about all that the Salish Sea had to offer them.
On our way out towards the reports of orcas we spotted a minke whale in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We got a couple looks at the minke whale and then continued heading West toward the orcas when Captain Mike spotted a humpback whale. We got to watch the humpback whale for a few surfacing sequences and even got to see the enormous tail a few times. We then got the transient orcas and watching as they traveled East as a pod.
On our second trip we made it to Victoria and saw some transient orcas traveling East at a quick pace, even proposing at times. We then continued on a little further west and got to see about 40 of our resident orca whales. The group that was in our best viewing area was K pod, including the handsome K21, cappuccino. We watched as whales near and around us slowly traveled East together in family clusters, all the while tail slapping and breaching. It was a day on the water that myself, Captain Mike and our guests won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Rachel A.