Steller Party

Yesterday's trip was another international, educational journey. We had a group from Japan as well as a group that was well-informed about our Eagle population. One lady on our trip worked to rehabilitate juvenile Bald Eagles. She was especially helpful with identifying the Bald Eagles, something that can prove difficult from a distance since they tend to resemble Turkey Vultures. Bald Eagles do not get their adult coloring until they are five years old. In the meantime, they look like a big brown bird, which can easily be mistaken for a vulture without a good pair of binos.

Our trip took us down the Haro Strait along the west side of San Juan Island. Captain Hobbes chose this route because there were few boats out yesterday and no reported whale sightings. He thought maybe we would catch them in the Haro Strait down near Victoria. Our guests got a great look at the island from the water including Lime Kiln State Park and American Camp. However, there were no orca sightings... thankfully the Harbor and Dall's Porpoises were frolicking about. Although there were no orca, Captain Hobbes saved the best for last.

We were able to observe a Steller Sea Lion Party near Race Rocks in Cattle Pass (the Southern end of San Juan Island). There were around twenty males and a lucky female hanging out on the rocks. They were exceptionally noisy, but their Harbor Seal neighbors didn't seem to complain. We have another trip going out this afternoon and will keep our eyes out for the orca.