Lunge Feeding Minke Whale!!
Teetering On The Edge (Harbor Seal)Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes
Air Happy Minke Whale Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes
After a Lunge (Minke Whale)Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes
"We started the day with a little of Washington's finest liquid sunshine! It soon passed once we reached the south end of Lopez Island. Our search began in the Strait of Juan de Fuca for cetaceans! We crept in between Castle Rock and Lopez Island to take a closer look at some hauled-out Harbor Seals, Common Sea Stars, a Black Oystercatcher & rafts of Bull Kelp! From there we entered the into the strait to begin our search. Since none of the whales in the area have any tracking devices on them we rely on our eyes and our vast network of other whale watching boats, fishermen, land spotters, and even ferries to keep track of the marine mammals in the area year round. Today we were the ones to find the first whales!! Near McArthur Bank we found 1, possibly 2 Minke Whales feeding among large numbers of Harbor Seals and Harbor Porpoise!! One of the two Minkes gave us some great looks at its sickle-shaped dorsal fin! We then headed back to Colville Island to see at least 60 hauled-out Harbor Seals on the rocky outcropping surrounding the island. Then at Lawson Reef another elusive Minke Whale appeared! This one was much smaller than our first 2 at about 15-20 feet in length, but did it put on a show!! Every 4 appearance at the surface it would lunge out exposing at times its baleen draping down from its upper jaw!! It was a fantastic visit with 2 confirmed Minke Whales, possibly 3!! We ended the day dry with blue skies peering between light cloud cover. Our guest also enjoyed Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, Pacific Madrone Trees, a Bald Eagle, Pacific Loons, Harbor Porpoise, and numerous Harbor Seals!!" - Naturalist Kate Janes
posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 7:55 PM
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