Whale Watching Report

The Island Explorer 3 and her guests are on-scene with J-Pod and part of L-Pod! Stay tuned to the Whale Report for details from Naturalist Jami Nagel and click here to see the location of the Orca Whales from space! "We headed out today on our 9:30 trip in search for whales. Captain Carl took us around the south end of Lopez Island were we found our first whale species. We found a young Minke whale feeding near the south end. We were able to see him surface several times and then we were off to our next whale species, Orcas!!! Today was a double-header!! We caught up with J-pod heading north at Hein Bank. As we arrived on scene we were just in time to watch several whales make their way through some kelp! The frolicked and played in the kelp as they pasted. We call this kelping:) We stayed with the J2 subpod which consists of Granny (J2), her granddaughter Samish and Samish's offspring; Riptide, Hy'shqa and Suttles. The youngsters were playing and wrestling around at the surface. Ruffles J1 was not far behind (Granny's son). On our return trip back were slowed down to enjoy the beauty of the Southend of Lopez and saw several harbor seals with their pups and pigeon guillemots all paired up.

For our 3:30 trip Captain Al took us through the inner Islands for some amazing scenary. The whales took us into the Canadian Gulf Islands where we watched J-pod slowly making their way north along Pender Island. We had the joy of watching the youngest member of J-pod, J42 (she should get her name this summer sometime) and her older sibling Alki frolicking at the surface as they slowing followed their older brother Mike. J42 showed off her porpoising abilities quite nicely for us as she raced back and forth between Mike and Alki. We also had some great looks at Blackberry and his little brother Mako as they trailed the rest of J-pod. On our way home back through the inner islands were had several harbor seal slashing around showing off for the ladies. We are in pupping season right now which coincides with breeding season for our harbor seals.