Whale Watching Report

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Patch Feeds On Snohomish River Delta

"Yet another beautiful day out on the water as the Olympic & Cascade Mountains glistened as the sunshine hit the fresh snow! Shortly after leaving the marina Captain Michael found a California Sea Lion hauled out on a channel marker which resulted in finding a Gray Whale! The giant emerged from the watery depths exposing its side and letting us all know that it was Patch, #49!! We watched as he slowly moved towards the Snohomish River Delta where his behavior switched from travel mode into feeding! We traveled further north and visited with a mature Bald Eagle on its nest before returning to Patch mid-meal! This 45 foot whale was in the shallow waters on his side partially exposing his fluke & his pectoral fin! Also seen today were White-winged Scoters, Pigeon Guillemots, Pelagic Cormorants, Harbor Seals, Western Grebes and Osprey!" - Naturalist Kate Janes

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 5:47 PM   0 Comments

Monday, April 6, 2009

Taste of Summer!

Eagle Looking Over Snohomish River Delta
Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes


Reentry (Gray Whale #531- the days "Mystery Whale")
Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes
"The wildlife was coming out of the woodwork today even before our passengers boarded the Island Explorer 3! There to greet them dockside were a pair of mallards, a couple of Canada Geese, our friend Norman the Harbor Seal, and a feeding Pigeon Guillemot! The trend continued as we found our first Gray Whale (#21) of the day just moments after leaving the marina feeding in the Snohomish River Delta. After enjoying some of his feeding activities we ventured further north where we found Patch (#49) and a mystery whale, who upon closer examination turned out to be #531. The pair gave us a great show from displaying some feeding behaviors and produced a few deep dives resulting in them sounding their flukes!! Also seen today were a number of Bald Eagles, a pair of Ospreys, Cormorants, Harbor Seals, California Sea Lions, Western Grebes, Red-necked Grebes, and Surf Scoters!" - Naturalist Kate Janes


posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 7:16 PM   0 Comments

Sunday, April 5, 2009

100% Whale Sightings for 2009

The Island Explorer 3 is on-scene with Gray Whales in Possession Sound. Stay tuned to the Whale Report for an update from Naturalist Kate Janes and click on the satellite link to see the position of the whales from space. "Our quest to find Gray Whales lead us up into Port Susan where we found #21 & #22! After arriving on scene we witnessed a behavior change as they moved closer into shore were their feeding commenced! Massive movements from their caudal peduncle moved the giants through the murky waters where their tasty ghost shrimp were residing! Later we found yet another Gray Whale, #383, who appeared to be heading towards #21 & #22 to join in on the feast! We also saw a mature Bald Eagle, California Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Western Grebes, Cormorants, Pigeon Guillemots, & an Osprey!" - Naturalist Kate Janes

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 12:29 PM   0 Comments

Saturday, April 4, 2009

4 Gray Whales Sighted Today

Captain Carl radioed in a report of 4 Gray Whales near Hat Island. The water is flat calm and the sun is shining. Stay tuned for a full report on today's tour from Naturalist Kate Janes. "Our guests were able to enjoy witnessing the feeding activities of four 30-45 ton whales eating in the shallow waters surrounding Gedney Island! After half an hour we knew who we were visiting with (#21, #22, #53 & #383). The four thrashed about exposing their pectoral fins and half of their flukes while stirring up the muddy, silty waters! Also seen on today's adventure were Western Grebes, Pigeon Guillemots, California Sea Lions, and Harbor Seals!" - Naturalist Kate Janes

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 1:22 PM   0 Comments

Friday, April 3, 2009

Gedney Island Grey's- Friday, April 3rd

Asking the important questions (male mallard hybrid)
Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes




Sizing the Giants Up
Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

Double Fluking
Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes


"It was quite the start to the day! Our honorary security guards, a pair of mallards, welcomed the last of our guests staring up at them inquisitively as they boarded the boat! Once off the dock we visited with a couple of California Sea Lions before making our way to Gedney Island (a.k.a. Hat Island). It was in the shallow waters along Gedney that we found not one but THREE Grey Whales feeding very close together! At one point all three were on their sides feeding in the shallow muddy waters exposing their pectoral fins and half of their flukes as they wiggled about! They then headed off shore towards us before circling back for another bout of feeding! They visited the "Gedney Island Ghost Shrimp Buffet" 3 times as we listened to the sound of their exhalations carry across the still water! We weren't alone in the enjoyment of witnessing their feeding activities by the time we left a group of people had congregated on the beach with a couple of dogs curiously watching the water! After some great looks we headed north in search for more wildlife and to see if we could find any of their friends. We did find a raft of Western Grebes, a couple of swimming Harbor Seals and a group of Surf Scoters before we returned to visit with Grey Whales #21, #22 & #383. Our second visit found the whales digesting their meal in deeper waters and producing deep sounding dives that brought their flukes high in the air! Another amazing day out on the water visiting with spectacular wildlife as the sun shone down upon us!" - Naturalist Kate Janes

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 5:26 PM   0 Comments

No Foolin' We Found Patch! - Wednesday, April 1st

Patch #49
Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

"Happy April Fools Day! The crew was not foolin' around today in our quest to find a whale! We found Patch, #49, at the north end of Gedney Island heading towards Saratoga Passage. Our guests soon discovered the origin of his name, that he was given 17 years ago! With some great looks at the gentle giant he switched directions, apparently not quite certain which population of ghost shrimp he wanted to snack on! The light wind allowed our guests the unique opportunity to see Patch cut through the waves with his immense body!" - Naturalist Kate Janes

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 5:15 PM   0 Comments

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