Whale Watching Report

Teenage Antics (Riptide- J30)

An Up and Coming Male (Blackberry- J27)
Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

"It was a double header today with both great visits with a Minke Whale & the Orcas of J pod!! Today we found ourselves in the Strait of Juan de Fuca within sight of the Orcas when a guest spotted a Minke Whale off Salmon Bank!! Watching as this approximately 25 foot whale moved around the boat feeding on the shelf of Salmon Bank that had formed thousands of years ago thanks to the glaciers! After numerous great looks at the Minke we continued just a bit further north to where the Orcas were milling about! The first whale we encountered was Shashi (J19) and her little 3 year old Eclipse (J41). Our guests however spent the most time watching Oreo (J22) and her family move in unison! Traveling with her was her niece Rhapsody (J32), her son Doublestuff (J34), and her daughter Cookie (J38). All 25 members of J pod milled in the waters surrounding the boat, then a decision was made to head north. We also spent time with Blackberry (J27), Samish (J14), Hy'shqa (J37), Suttles (J40) & Riptide (J30). Our guests also enjoyed the company of Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, Pacific Loons, Bull Kelp, Pacific Madrone Trees, Common Murres, Harbor Seals, Bald Eagles, Harbor Porpoise, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Canada Geese, Pelagic & Double-crested Cormorants!" - Naturalist Kate Janes