Whale Watching Report

Another beautiful sunny day on the Salish Sea with Minke Whales, Stellar Sea Lions, and Porpoises. Orca Whales were also sighted but very late in the day and well to the north, so we'll resume our search for Orca Whales tomorrow. Stay tuned to the whale report for updates from Naturalist Kate Janes.

Beautifully Banded Minke Whale

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

Making Rocks Look Comfy (hauled out Harbor Seals)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

Hey Move Over (two Steller Sea Lions)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

"Coming out of the marina today beautiful Mt. Baker came piercing into view reminding us all the beauty of this fall, although it felt more like the middle of summer, day. A thin layer of marine haze hugged the shoreline of Cypress Island and filled Bellingham Channel as we headed out into Rosario Strait. At the south end of Rosario we found what we thought was one, but turned out to be two Minke Whales! The first of the two we watched circuit between a couple of large congregations of birds. It was so still today you could see with ease the exhalation of these beautiful baleen whales. There where times that on certain looks, when the lighting was just right you could see the beautiful gray banding on its sleek body (this is one feature that researchers may be able to use to ID individual Minke Whales). After a great visit with the two gentle giants we ventured back towards the north up Rosario Strait where we found lots of Harbor Seals swimming just off Lawrence Point near a group of very surface active Harbor Porpoise. Pea Pod Rocks produced more great looks at Harbor Seals, but this time hauled out on the rocks in the company of a Black Oystercatcher and hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls sitting in the water. We even found a couple of Steller Sea Lions. One was basking in the sun while his friend swam about in the waters surrounding the island. Before getting back to the dock our guests enjoyed a great look at a mature Bald Eagle perched high atop a tree near Cypress Island." - Naturalist Kate Janes