A stellar day in the San Juan Islands

I was on the MV Sea Lion today with a private charter. We were waiting at the Kenmore Air docks as the two 'Otters" landed - smoother than silk. We headed off to the north and cruised by Flat Head Island. There was a group of 10 or so harbor porpoise that looked as though they were feeding. We continued up on the east side of John's Island.

Pigeon Guillemots. I do just adore them. Is it the red feet? Yes. Red interior of their mouths? Yes. Or that they are compact, agile and just too cute? Yes. We saw several just hanging by themselves and a few in groups of 2 to 4. I had a fellow birder on board we adored them too.

At the northern end of Speiden we watched 2 young Stellar Sea Lion males swimming about and diving. We bobbed about in the current just enjoying the water and their antics. The water was perfect today, sun shining and almost no wind.


Bald Eagles were abundant today! It seemed that every large rock and small island had an Eagle. Speiden Island had 4 Eagles soaring in the updraft and what we thought was a Kestral was sitting high in a tree watching.

On our way back in we saw 2 - 3 more harbor porpoise. I dont ever remember seeing them in past years in this location. Harbor porpoise tend to be shy and dont usually ride a boat's bow. They did remain fairly close to us and seemed very busy fishing/feeding.

We came back to the dock with the Kenmore Seaplanes awaiting our guests.

Perfect.
Over and out for now, Colleen Johansen, Naturalist

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