SUNDAY, June 27th, 2010
Two Awesome Trips!
We had two amazing trips on the Island Explorer 3 today! J-pod in the morning and L-pod in the evening! Stay tuned for a full report from our naturalist.The wildlife began before we even left the dock for the first trip. A bald eagle decided to fly right over the boat as we were doing the crew introductions! We left the dock and headed north. We found three more bald eagles on Guemes Island. There were lots of harbor porpoise swimming throughout the current lines. We continued northbound because there was word that some orcas were making their way in our direction, but they were still quite far. We kept going, hoping we could catch them. Then we found out that there were no boats that were on scene with them for an hour and a half, so we didn't quite know where they were. We were north of the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, where they should have been, if they were still headed in our direction. All crew members and all the passengers were all out on deck, scanning the horizon in hopes of finding them. Captain Michael finally had to turn the boat to make our way back (we were already going to be late). Then, a dorsal fin was spotted in the distance! We found J-pod and K-pod orcas! We made our way over to where they were and spent some quality, albeit quick, time with them! The first whales we were on scene with was Slick, Alki and Echo. Echo spyhopped almost up to her belly within about the first minute of being on scene. We also encountered Cappuccino, Raggedy, Oreo, Doublestuf, Cookie and Rhapsody. There were lots of breaches in the distance as well as some cartwheels. As we turned to head home, we got to spend a little more time with Slick, Alki and Echo. Echo was going crazy; she was breaching and cartwheeling all over the place! She was being a rather playful three year old! Our customers and crew alike were amazed at her performance! The whales must've known that we didn't have long to hang out with them, because they gave us the best show in a very short amount of time! As we departed, many customers continued to watch the action behind us. We headed straight home, we were already going to be really late. But we had to go the distance to get the whales, and we are so glad we did!
Echo checking us out!
Our afternoon trip started a little late because of the great distance we travelled on the first trip. Our customers were so understanding and excited about seeing orcas as well. We headed in a completely different direction in search of other whales (the ones we visited with on the first trip turned around and headed back north, too far out of our range). We left Guemes Channel and entered into Rosario Strait where we found lots of harbor porpoise. At the south end of Colville Island, we found a lone harbor seal hauled out on the rocks. We made our way up to Lime Kiln lighthouse were we saw a couple of dall's porpoise and a quick look at a minke whale! We didn't slow down too long for him though; we had orcas in our sights! We met up with some L-pod whales at Battleship Island. It was a tightly knit group consisting of Alexis, Mystery, Spirit and her sons, Skana and Solstice. They were in a resting mode which made for some great passes, as all of their dorsal fins came up in a short amount of time! We spent our entire time with these whales, listening to their exhalations and enjoying our time with them. Our passengers even got a chance to see Tucker the poop sniffing dog on a research vessel, taking fecal samples. We took the whales all the way up to the lighthouse on Stuart Island, as they headed up into Canadian waters, we headed back home. This time we went through the inner islands. We saw some of the amazing animals on Spieden Island, as well as a couple of bald eagles. It was an absolutely perfect evening with the most gorgeous sunset and even a rainbow over the Lopez Island ferry terminal. Our customers said it was well worth it! It was such a special evening with the whales and our cruise through the inner islands.
Mystery and Alexis
posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 12:01 AM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
Was hoping to see pictures from that trip?
It was a great trip! Hoping to see the pics taking of all the orcas we saw!!!
My husband and I thank you for the wonderful trip!
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