Super Pod in Our Backyard!! - Friday, August 15, 2008
"The morning started at the south end of Lopez Island with some special treats for our guests! As we passed through the waters separating Colville Island from Castle Rock we found at least 5 pairs of Marbled Murreletts!! We continued on towards Swirl Rock where we found a perched Bald Eagle sitting high above the Harbor Seals that were hauled out on rocks near the water! Passing back through Castle Rock we found exposed in the low tide a number of Common Sea Stars! We ventured back into Rosario Strait after showing our guests one of the most amazing areas in the San Juans and at Bird Rocks we found the Southern Resident Orca Whales heading southward! We watched as whales could be seen as far as the eye could see. A group of whales split with a portion swimming on both the east & west side of Bird Rocks! We watched as they swam close to its shoreline! We ventured towards mid-channel towards the leading subpod where we found Granny (J2), Ruffles (J1), & the rest of J pod swimming slowly towards Lawson Reef! They were all grouped up nearly synchronized as they surfaced over 20 dorsal fins appeared in a row- like a series of fence posts! Then without warning they began to disperse and eventually made the turn westward towards the south end of Lopez Island! We sat and watched as they crossed the channel while a subpod of about 10 whales followed right behind them! The evening brought us back to the south end of Lopez Island and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca! We found the Orcas just off Salmon Bank heading off shore when we arrived on scene! We watched as the whales breached, spyhopped, taillobed and cartwheeled in the glass calm waters! We even watched as one whale spyhopped 6 times! Our guests enjoyed great looks and heard their exhalations carry across the water as we shut off the engines while the whales began milling in the waters surrounding us! Mega (L41) even gave us a great look at his over six foot tall dorsal fin as he swam right along side our starboard side! Our evening ended at the south end of Lopez Island where yet another pair of Marbled Murreletts was seen! We passed through the waters between Lopez Island and Castle Rock and found hauled-out Harbor Seals, swimming Pigeon Guillemots, and a fishing Great Blue Heron standing on a raft on Bull Kelp! It was truly an amazing day!" - Naturalist Kate Janes
posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 10:44 AM
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