Perfect Conditions and Whales Everywhere!!
Surprise Encounter! (Sekiu K2)
Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes
Orca & Dall's Porpoise! (Grace L2)
Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes
Seal in KelpPhoto by Naturalist Kate Janes
The Grand Finale
Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes
"Our wildlife excursion began as soon as we were off the dock with a Harbor Seal hauled out on a small rock outcropping! Watching the small penniped awkwardly maneuver atop the rock we continued towards Cap Sante Point where we saw 2 Great Blue Herons perched on its rocky shoreline! Our wildlife sightings continued into Guemes Channel with a juvenile Common Loon, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pelagic & Double-crested Cormorants in its waters as we ventured towards Thatcher Pass and the inner islands of the San Juans. Under blue skies and the brilliant warm sun we traveled towards Haro Strait and found the Orca Whales of the Southern Residents heading in a south eastern direction!! The first whales we encountered was Princess Angeline, Polaris and Tahlequah making quick movements, porpoising out of the water at high speeds! On the glass calm waters whales could be seen rising to the surface as far as the eye could see!! We gradually made our way through the "whale soup" when suddenly Sekiu (K22) appeared near the boat! She swam off our bow turning quickly while under the water to make yet another close appearance!! This allowed our guests to actually see her white portions from under the water! After this close encounter we revisited with Princess Angeline's family before finding Grace (L2) playing with Dall's Porpoise a sight that is extremely uncommon!! We watched as the porpoise seemed to be "bow riding", if you will, off Grace's rostrum!! The Dall's Porpoise rooster tails marked the location where Grace would reappear! We spent the next 20 minutes attempting to make our way out of the so called "whale soup", but it seemed that they weren't through visiting with us!! Eventually we did break away making our way towards the south end of Lopez Island. Just when our guests thought they had their last visit with the Orcas another 20 whales were spotted heading north up Bellingham Channel!!! Tightly grouped they traveled at a slow pace taillobing, spyhopping, backdiving and bellyrolling as our grand finale!! The wildlife escorted us back to the dock as a mature Bald Eagle flew close to our bow as we entered into the marina!! What a day! And to top it off the 3 youngsters that were born last summer received their names from the Whale Museum!! Little J42 was named Echo, L109 will be known as Takoda and the name Midnight was given to L110!!! " - Naturalist Kate Janes
posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 8:22 PM
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