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Whale Watching off San Juan Island at Sunset

photographers guest enjoying themselves


We found the Southern Resident Orca Whales off Pile Point, on the west side of San Juan Island. It was J pod - or at least some of J pod.

The whales would come up for about 3 seconds with a huge exhale and dove right back down again. We gently followed their path south to False Bay. They continued the same behavior of a short exhale/inhale and down for the next 20 minutes or so. We left the orcas there near False Bay just after 7:00 PM. Pictured is Double Stuff with other pod members.

On the way back, a guest made a great spot of a mature bald eagle sitting on a rock - by itself. A bit further on there was another mature bald eagle in a tree fairly close to its enormous nest. I am going to estimate that the nest is 5 - 6 foot across.

While motoring back to Friday Harbor the Captain spotted a few Harbor Porpoise. They too were quick in coming up and going back down. We were in San Juan Chanel and it was about 8 PM.

Lighting was nice. Water smooth like silk. Temperature mild. Ah......summer - at last.

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