Curious George

Below: Male Steller Sea Lions hauled out on the rocks south of San Juan Island.

Yesterday was probably one of the best showcases of Steller Sea Lions we've had yet. We decided to head to Yellow Island, Flattop Island, and eventually to Saturna Island in Canada. We learned all about seals, porpoises, and we may have gotten a look at some river otters swimming around near Orcas Island. Our guests got some great looks at playing porpoises, the geology of the islands, and Bald Eagles. However, the best look was our encounter with a male Steller Sea Lion off Boiling Reef near the east tip of Saturna. There were a dozen Stellers hauled out on the reef, tons of Harbor Seals, and four Bald Eagles all hanging out in the same spot... talk about an awesome photo opp!!! But wait, there's more! We caught a glimpse of a Steller swimming around about 200 yards from the reef and decided to check out a water view of a Sea Lion. We drifted over to him and turned the engine off to watch him swimming about from a distance. However, Mr. Steller, or Curious George, as we decided to name him, had other plans. Apparently he had booked a people watch tour and decided to come in for a better look. We spent fifteen minutes drifting while George swam around and under the boat, checking out our guests the entire time. What a thrilling encounter!!! Needless to say, George stole the show, as his buddies cheered him on from the rocks with their loud moans.

J-Pod was sighted way north in Canada, but they were too far for any of the Friday Harbor Whale Watch fleet to reach them. Keep your fingers crossed in hopes they decide to head south today! Luckily, we have such an abundance of wildlife here that there's never a dull day... even if we don't see whales.