Whale Watching Report

On The Go (Minke Whale)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

"Another gorgeous day beckoned the Island Explorer 3 and her guests out into the surrounding waters while a breeze kept all aboard comfortable in the heat of the day. We found "Joe" the California Gray Whale feeding in roughly 8-11 ft of water cutting a pretty thorough grid pattern searching for ghost shrimp. We watched as the giant gracefully moved through the water slowing rising and sinking in the blue water. After visiting with "Joe" we ventured towards Hein Bank searching for more wildlife and found another species of whale, a Minke Whale, on Salmon Bank. We hit the wildlife jackpot with tons of birds involved feeding frenzies, Harbor Seals popping up every which way and just bobbing at the surface, Harbor Porpoise slowing swimming so close to the boat and a large Minke Whale swimming around us!" - Naturalist Kate Janes

Clowns of the Sea (Tufted Puffins)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

The "It" Haul Out Location (Harbor Seals)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

In the Heat of the Day (Gray Whale)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

"From the dock the wildlife was coming out of the woodwork as we watched a Bald Eagle get harassed by some crows before settling atop a perch overlooking the marina. Once outside the marina we ventured into the Strait of Juan de Fuca at the south end of San Juan Island before making our way back to Smith & Minor Island where we found half a dozen Tufted Puffins enjoying the calm conditions, over 60 Harbor Seals were hauled out on the sandy spit while others swam nearby, two pairs of Bald Eagles were perched near their respective nests and numerous other sea birds fished in the waters surrounding the islands. We made our way east towards Whidbey Island where we found a lone Gray Whale, who I've started referring to as "Joe" after Joesph Whidbey which Whidbey Island is named after. He seems to have found a great feeding spot in the shallow waters on the north west side of the island as he was busy feeding while moving southbound. The sound of his exhalations carried nicely with the calm conditions. We also had the opportunity to visit with numerous Harbor Porpoise, Pacific Loons, California Sea Lions, Marbled Murreletts, Cormorants, Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, Turkey Vultures, and Glaucous-winged Gulls." - Naturalist Kate Janes

The Inhale of a Giant (Gray Whale)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

Textbook Blow (Gray Whale)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

Barnacle Covered Gray Whale

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

"In the calm of a beautiful summer day we found one of four reported "newbie" Gray Whales that ventured into the area this year. Still unknown who this Gray Whale is (all Gray Whales have numeric names assigned to them) Cascadia Research is working hard searching through over 20,000 images of the Northern East Pacific Stock of Gray Whales to find out exactly who is extending its visit into our protected waters. We watched as the giant swam in 11 feet of water stirring up the mud as it fed on ghost shrimp. Our guests also saw Rhinoceros Auklets, Harbor Seals, Pigeon Guillemots, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Harbor Porpoise, a California Sea Lions, lots of Bald Eagles and even an Osprey making a dive at a perched Bald Eagle nearly knocking it off its perch!" - Naturalist Kate Janes