Whale Watching Report

Today's viewing started in Rosario Strait when we spotted hundreds of harbor porpoises. Next we stopped at Colville Island to view some harbor seals and a bald eagle decided to fly right toward us and right over our bow! Next we headed northwest and it wasn't long before we found L-pod orcas spread out along the shoreline of San Juan Island. The first whale we visited was L77, Matia. Soon after we arrived she did a spyhop. Other orcas were coming up behind her so we slowed down to let them catch up. We watched as one small group after another swam by us. Gradually all the orcas started to gather into small groups until they were all eventually packed in together. Other orcas I identified in today's group included Racer, L72, Fluke, L105, Nugget, L55, and Lapis, L103 among others. As they were gathering one group of about 7 orcas came right over to us for a visit. As we left the pod it was evident that they were going into a resting mode and they swam offshore. It was great to see L-pod back again, and we hope they stay around for a while this time. Naturalist Bart Rulon.