Double Header: Minke & Orca Whales!
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Minke After the MealPhoto by Naturalist Kate Janes
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Harbor Seal vs. Salmon (Harbor Seal won)Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes
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Orca Glow
Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes
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Tangled Up in Bull Kelp
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Orca GlowPhoto by Naturalist Kate Janes
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Tangled Up in Bull KelpPhoto by Naturalist Kate Janes
"Our day lead us into the Strait of Juan de Fuca where we found Harbor Porpoise and lots of birds congregating in Rosario Strait. We continued on towards Salmon Bank where we encountered a very hungry Minke Whale feeding amongst a huge raft of birds! Treating us to some great looks the Minke zigged and zagged causing the birds to displace from atop the water. We continued westward until some thrashing in the water caused us to slow down. A Harbor Seal was feasting on a huge Salmon. A dozen gulls hovered about in hopes for some morsels. It was incredible how the seal managed to break the fish apart with its quick forceful movements! Then in the distance we began to see the tall black dorsal fins of Orcas. We spent time with Mystery (L85), Wave Walker (L88), Nyssa (L84), Ino (L54) and her son Indigo (L100). Wave Walker demonstrated just how much fun Bull Kelp can be as he lifted the stalk of the plant out of the water with his tail. Later in our visit Ino & Indigo milled about groupings of the kelp, rolling and playing beneath the water causing huge up swellings. After the whales had their fun with the kelp, first mate Brooke & I thought it appropriate to allow our guests a chance to taste and examine one the Orcas favorite play items! We managed to wrangle a massive bull kelp onto the Island Explorer 3 and many of our guests even tasted the nutritious brown algae. We ended our visit with the Orcas with a wave goodbye from Nyssa." - Naturalist Kate Janes
posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 7:23 PM
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