Whale Watching Report

Breaking Waves (GW #383)

Gray Whale #383

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

"The day started out looking as if rain gear would be appropriate, but again we were reminded of the bizarre Washington weather!! Just before our guests began to arrive the skies cleared and the sun came and stayed the entire day!! We continued to be pleasantly surprised as we departed the marina seeing a close flyby from a juvenile Bald Eagle, an Osprey perched in its nest, and a lone California Sea Lion basking in the sun! As a slight wind reminded us that we were indeed on a boat our first whales of the day were spotted in the river delta!! We watched as Gray Whale #21 & #22 fed in the extremely shallow waters giving us views of their partial fluke skimming the surface as they fed!! While on scene with these two feeding Gray Whales Captain Michael spotted yet another whale farther north towards Camano Island. After some last looks at #21 & #22 we ventured north to spend some time with #383 who showed off his fluking maneuvers!! Yet another great day spent on the water with Surf Scoters, Western Grebes, Glaucous-winged Gulls, California Sea Lion, a Caspian Tern, Harbor Seals, Bald Eagles, Cormorants, Ospreys, Pigeon Guillemots, and 4 Gray Whales!!" - Naturalist Kate Janes