Whale Watching Report

The wind was blowing a little today so Michael decided to take a route through the inner San Juan Islands in order to give everyone a smooth ride. Along the way through the islands we saw hundreds of harbor seals hauled out at various spots. With the low tide passengers also got to see lots of ochre sea stars, both purple and orange, exposed on the rocks by the low water. Bald eagles and turkey vultures seemed to be everywhere today. We probably saw about 15 bald eagles throughout the day and even more turkey vultures. We ended up finding J-pod just north of the Lime Kiln Light House on the west side of San Juan Island. When we arrived they were all swimming close together in a sleeping pattern. 15 -20 minutes later J-pod started to wake up, just as they passed the Center for Whale Research building. First there was a spyhop then a couple of breaches, then some porpoising, then a few cartwheels, then several more breaches, and some tail slaps. Our passengers really got to see a great variety of different orca behaviors today. We left the orcas just as they reached Henry Island. We had sunshine all the way back as we traveled through the inner islands again. Just a few minutes before we reached the dock at Cap Sante Marina we had more excitement as a bald eagle swooped down and caught a fish right in front of the boat. Then another eagle came by to try and get the fish. Soon the fish was back in the water and one of the eagles swooped back down to get it. By that time yet another eagle entered the picture and we had three of them at close range. What a great way to end an action packed day on the water!! Other wildlife sightings today included the belted kingfisher, great blue heron, pelagic cormorant, pigeon guillemot, rhinoceros auklet, Canada goose, and the exotic wildlife on Speiden Island. Naturalist Bart Rulon