Sunset Orcas

Our sunset trip started out at about 5:30 PM and we headed south. The seas were glassy, super calm. We got word that the Orcas were near False Bay and heading up island. We rushed over there and immediately were able to identify J-1, “Ruffles”, we then saw granny, Riptide, Sachi and a few others.

We were so excited, J-pod twice in a row! It’s always so amazing to see Granny; she is estimated to be 98 years old and the matriarch of J-pod. She is also a movie star; her future role was in Free Willy 2!

We watched J-pod as they cruised with the current toward Lime Kiln State Park. They traveled very close together for a while, and then spread out of a little. We put our hydrophone in the water, we waited to hear if they were vocalizing, but we could only hear some faint sounds.

We then headed north to Spieden Island. At night when it’s cool some deer and sheep come out of the woods and graze. These animals are non-native to this area, but are super fun too see. We also saw two Bald Eagles on the Cactus Islands. Another great trip filled with wildlife!

Naturalist Jeannette Miller

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Orcas and Minkes

Orcas!

J-pod on both of our trips! On our afternoon adventure we saw J-30, Riptide, along with other J-pod members.

Riptide was born in 1995 and is the eldest surviving offspring of J-14, Samish. He is maturing into an adult and is growing a very tall dorsal fin. We watched as he fished, very interesting, you can see how quickly he is capable of moving.

We also saw lots and lots of spy hopping; this is when they come up vertically with their head and portions of their pectoral fins exposed. This is one of my favorite orca moves.

On the way back to Friday Harbor on our afternoon trip we were looking at all the sea birds, mostly gulls, congregating in one spot on the ocean surface. This is a sure sign of ‘fish’. The birds were making lots of noise and sure enough we saw a Minke whale.

Minke whales are one of the smallest baleen whales. We watched for a few minutes and another minke surfaced, but this one was much smaller, one of the Captains named him “Twinkie”. “Twinkie” the baby minke…

What a great adventure, Orcas and Minkes!!! Before reaching Friday Harbor we also saw Harbor Seals, Bald Eagles, Cormorants and lots of other birds.

Naturalist Jeannette

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

This just in...

"Here's my review -

We really had a good time. My wife and I took the whale watching tour on 26 June 2009. Nancy captained the boat and the naturalists were Jacqueline and ??. They were all very professional and knowledgable. They were also very patient and helpful with all the participants, even the smaller children. It was a very enjoyable experience. Be sure to take warm clothes!"

Thank you to Rick and his wife for joining us on another fabulous whale & wildlife trip. We appreciate the heartfelt response and are always glad to receive feedback and photos. So, from all of us at San Juan Safaris, we will...

See You In The Islands!

~Tristen, Naturalist

P.S. - I was the other naturalist on duty that day. Clearly I need to work on my delivery.

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Lovely Looks at L Pod of the South End of San Juan Island

Having heard a report that some members of the Southern Resident Community (the salmon-eating orcas) were spread out all down the west and south side of San Juan Island, we boarded the guests and cruised south down through San Juan Channel. The weather was warm, the sky was remarkably clear, and the water was calm. As we cruised through Cattle Pass the guests and naturalists gazed at a wonderful view of Mt Rainer (a mountain that we don't usually see from the San Juan Islands' waters) to our southwest.

When we arrived on scene, Captain Craig slowed down the boat to get a grasp on orcas whereabouts. Members of L Pod were spread out in the water off the south end of San Juan Island. We shut down the engines after cruising offshore and had some closer view of two L Pod members, L 78 (Gaia) and L 2 (Grace). L pod was fishing offshore of the island, making their their surfacings unpredictable and sporadic. This mother and son duo surfaced behind our stern, then off our starboard side (right side, for all you non-seafaring folk) and off our bow!

Eventually these two L pod members moved further offshore and met up with a larger group (perhaps 4-5 more L pod members) travelling away from us. In this group was at least 2 adult males. We had some wonderful views of the orcas breaching, tail-slapping and fishing during the day trip today!

Over and out,
Ashley, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

A Super Safari!

What a day! There were Orca families zooming everywhere with breaches, tail slaps and spyhops galore. We saw auklets and harbor seals and even a bald eaglet in the nest with his parents standing guard in nearby trees. The sun was out and the waters were calm and our guests on the MV Kittiwake could not have been more fun.

Capt. Craig and I took a lively group of visitors through Friday Harbor and down the east side of San Juan Island. Just past Turn Island we stopped to see some harbor seals hauled out on the rocks in the sun and a bald eagle sitting on the very top of a tree causing it to bend over with the bird's weight. We then rode the ebbing tide down San Juan Channel past Griffin Bay and out Cattle Pass. A quick left turn at the southwest corner of Lopez Island and there were the whales.

J1 "Ruffles" along with the rest of his family group went racing past us in a very tight formation and across the opening to Cattle Pass. Once on the other side they slowed down, probably because they were no longer fighting the currents. We could see numerous other family groups in the distance all headed west along the south ends of Lopez and San Juan Islands. They were swimming so fast that we say porpoising and white wave caps each time that the Orcas returned to the water. One individual did a fabulous bellyroll and there was so much tail waving and tail slapping going on I lost track of who was doing what.

After leaving what appeared to be a mix of Js, Ks and maybe Ls we then cruised Long Island and found the mated pair of bald eagles there and then motored over to the coastline of Lopez Island to check out a nest and chick that our sister boat, the MV Sea Lion, had alerted us to. Sure enough the adults could be seen sitting in nearby snags and the eaglet was proudly standing up in the nest surveying his domain. It was very cool.

Today really showcased what an awesome job this is and how fabulous it is to be here in the San Juan Islands. Neither I nor our guests could have asked for anything better. So, from all of us here at San Juan Safaris to all of you adventurers out there, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist



Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Natural Entertainment

Life is good as a naturalist these days. The Orcas are back in the islands and the summer is in full swing. With the 4th of July coming up, as well as Friday Harbor's centennial and the sesquicentennial of the Pig War there is no shortage of special events to fill those hours that can not be spent on the water. Luckily for our guests today, it was a day spent on the water and in the company of whales. And not just giant black and white dolphins, but real whales as well.

As we were making our way down the Strait of Juan de Fuca we got reports from another boat about a minke whale near Salmon Bank. It turns out that there were actually two whales and we watched for several minutes as they surfaced and fed. Each time after a breath sliding quietly back beneath the waters. Shortly though we were once again on the trail of the Orca. Luckily for us some of the other wildlife watch companies had scoped out the action before we got there.

The Orca whales, actually the world's largest dolphins, were spread out over a large area similar to where they had been the day before. There were a number of family groups numbering from approximately 4-6 individuals feeding and traveling within sight of the south end of San Juan Island. Even though there had been reports that L pod might have left the area, that was who we found today. All the groups were pretty focused on what they were doing and so there was not a lot of rambunctious behavior. But there were some quiet vocalizations heard as one family group passed by the MV Sea Lion.

Even though the south waters were as calm as could be today, it soon became time for us to go. So Capt. Nancy, Kathy, our guests and I bid the Orcas farewell and motored on back to Friday Harbor. On our return trip we caught sight of a bald eagle, some harbor seals and even a couple of harbor porpoises. It was a full and lovely day with the abundance of nature to entertain us and the sun coming out to chase away the clouds.

So, from all of us at San Juan Safaris to all of you loyal Orca fans, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

For The Love of Whales

Not wind, nor weather, nor water can deter us. If the whales are in the vicinity then we will do all we can to get to them. So said our guests today on the MV Sea Lion. Despite the grey skies and the spitting rain everyone was ready to get out on the water and commune with whales. We were in no way disappointed. The reports had been of sporadic behavior, but we found the whales at the South end of the island moving around in classic feeding patterns, which means that they were swimming everywhere.

We were on scene with the Orcas for a few minutes traveling with them as they moved offshore. Whales could be seen spread out over a large area traveling in small groups or even as singles. Suddenly, through what must have been a direct command or agreement, all of the whales changed direction and started heading west. The Orcas collected together into a group and increased their speed as we continued to see some erratic movements that coincided with feeding.

There was a general sense of urgency about their travels and we saw a number of spyhops and tail slaps. The tail slaps may have been a means to gather together and even herd salmon and other fish for feeding. The spyhops might also help with that since it gives the whales a chance to see where other members of the pod are, where the boats are and how far away the coastline is.

Finally, time and rough water forced our return to port, but not before we saw one juvenile and two adult bald eagles on Long Island. As well as a Bald Eagle that buzzed over Goose Island and sent all of the nesting birds into the sky in a frenzy. Despite the grey skies our day was golden with the glow of time spent with J pod, members of our beautiful Southern Resident Orcas.

From Capt. Nancy, Jaclyn, San Juan Safaris and myself, thank you to all of you nature lovers out there and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

The Wonder of Whales

How do you measure the quality of a moment? What is it that makes some indelible and others ephemeral? Why aren't all moments created equal?

Today was one of those types of days. It was grey and overcast with a little bit of rain in the air. The water was steely but calm and nature seemed to be holding it's breath. An eagle floated slowly past, harbor porpoises surfaced erratically and the breezes were still. There was a sense of bridled anticipation coming from the guests, the crew and even from the boat itself. Would the whales move out of range? Would we have traveled all those miles simply to see empty ocean? Would our memories be restricted to the wind and the waves?

Alas, no, the other companies had not led us astray. As we cleared Boundary Pass and entered the Strait of Georgia there were the other wildlife watching boats and whale blows and Orca dorsal fins could be seen amongst them. We slowly joined the throng so as not to disturb the magic that the whales cast over everyone and took our place in the moment. It did not take us long to realize that there were family groups spread everywhere and that you had to keep your eyes moving to take it all in. We saw J1 "Ruffles", J28 "Polaris" and J26 "Mike" among others. All of J pod seemed to be there with some extras as well. The animals were excitable and transferred that energy to us through their breaches and spyhops, tail slaps and splashes.

As always our time with the Orcas seemed too short, but soon we had been there nearly an hour and it was time to head back. We slowly departed the dream-like scene just as we had arrived and watched as the whales and their human sentinels faded into the foggy background. Our minds cataloging and storing the precious memories that we had just amassed. So, from all of us at San Juan Safaris to all of you dreamers out there, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

A terrific Tuesday with the Orcas!

I knew when I woke up this morning and the sun was shining that it was going to be a good day! And it was.

Both our trips today had amazing looks at the Orcas or Killer Whales that frequent the San Juan Islands. We lucked out on our 1pm tour with reports of Residents (salmon-eating Orcas) eastbound near Victoria, BC. A little trip to the south around Cattle Pass and across the Straits (which looked as if it were a pond today)....so calm, clear views of the Olympic Mountains to the south and we met up with the whales crossing to San Juan Island. They had been traveling quite fast according to the other boats and they ended up splitting into 2 or more groups, with some whales moving towards the southern half of the island and other northbound up Haro Strait. The Orcas were quite spread out in all directions....apparently it was J pod and K pod. (I'm still getting back into the swing of identifying these guys.)

We had some wonderful views of 2 younger calves playing in the currents where the kelp was collecting, along with logs and other debris. One even draped a bit of kelp across its dorsal fin!! There was some breaching, tail slaps and just some great looks at the whales.

We moved north, from one group to another and left them off of Kellet Bluff, Henry Island as we looped around the north side of San Juan Island. A peek at 2 Bald Eagles posing side by side at the top of a tree on Sentinel Island. What a picture that was!! And off we were back to Friday Harbor, having circled San Juan Island.


Then the 5:30 pm Sunset Tour. Wow! This is why I absolutely love the evening trips. It was one of those nights where there was no wind, the seas were like glass, and the clouds cleared so I could finally see Mount Baker in all its glory in the Cascade Range! J pod had covered some ground and was up in the Canadian Gulf Islands. So to Canada we went. We had a small intimate group of people on the boat who got one of the best shows I've seen in a long time! We were able to watch J27 (Blackberry) who at 18 is turning into quite the large male. Along with J27 was his sister J31 and a sprouter male who I believe was J34, and a few others I didn't ID. There were actively spy hopping, rolling, foraging, and moving northbound.

The unfortunate part of this experience was a private boater that was much too close to the whales, who continued to pursue the Orcas and park as close as possible to the animals. It is illegal for any vessel to be within a 100 yards of these Endangered Southern Community of Killer Whales (pods J, K, L). Many folks don't realize that this is law and the point being we want to give the Orcas enough space so that we boaters are not causing them to alter their normal behavior. Hopefully as more people learn this, we will all be more conscience of how we conduct ourselves around the whales.

We were able to also get great looks at J26, the other 18 year old male with his mom J16 and younger sibling J42. Again very active tonight! Breach after breach, even by the little calf! The next family group included J17, J28, and newborn J44? I kept looking for the little one but the glare on the water against the dark rocky shoreline made it difficult. By now we were nearing Active Pass and it was time to head home.

Our guests on board were frantically snapping photos trying to capture all the activity and I couldn't believe how lucky we were!! What a beautiful and special day in the San Juans.

-Jaclyn, naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Active Orcas

Today was a great orca viewing day. The whales were doing back dives and breaches!!! They were also traveling fairly fast. Both the guests and I very interesting to watch. Everyone on the boat was very impressed with J-pod.

J-pod is one of the three pods that make up the southern resident killer whale community. These killer whales are actually fish eaters, they do not prey on marine mammals. These orcas have been listed as an endangered species in both Canada and the United States.

On the way back to Friday Harbor we took a look at the Cactus Islands and saw a couple of bald eagles. We even saw a bald eagle in the nest feeding its eaglet.

Naturalist Jeannette
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Resident Orcas on the west side!

What a day, what a day! Sunday morning started with a morning downpour, but by 1 pm it was sunshine with clearing skies!

On our way around the island we stopped for magnificient views of Bald Eagles, both mature adults and immature subadults all in trees near a washed up Harbor Seal carcass. The eagles really are scavengers first, predators second.

Then we spent our afternoon on the northwest corner of San Juan Island in Speiden Channel with Southern Resident Orcas from J & L pods!! These are the fish-eating pods that frequent the area in the summer months to feast on salmon that travel through our waterways. So if we're seeing these Orcas, hopefully it means they are finding enough salmon here and will stick around for the rest of the season! (Currently our 3 pods that make up this Southern Resident Community of Killer Whales are endangered, one threat being decreasing salmon populations.)

J pod was just passing Henry Island and playing in a rip or current where presumbably they were fishing. They were very active....changing direction, tail slapping, and even some logging at the surface by 1 or 2 whales. They continued north forming tight groups and picked up speed with a few Orcas porpoising out of the water with force. Then slowing again....more activity....even a few breaches! The L12 subgroup was not far behind also traveling north. I didn't identify the 2 K pod animals, K20 & K38, but other boat captains said they were also in the mix, traveling with the J pod. Very interesting...I think we're all still wondering where the rest of K pod is and why these 2 animals have been without them lately. Either way it was a truly beautiful sight to observe them. We were also able to drop our hydrophone in and pick up some clicks (echolocation used in hunting) and hear a few squeals and whistles (communication between the whales).

After viewing the Killer Whales we had some extra time to tour through the islands on our way back to Friday Harbor. More eagles, interesting currents, and harbor seals swimming in kelp were all a part of our safari! A perfect Sunday afternoon.

-Jaclyn, naturalist

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Crew Capers

Some days you get to see whales and some days turn out a little differently. I had the opportunity to work on a different boat today and see some new areas of the islands. Naknek Diving was chartered as a water taxi and Capt. Kurt needed a mate to help with the trip; since I was available and eager to go, I got the job.

The MV Naknek is a wooden boat and is fitted up in a much different manner than the MV Sea Lion. As a dive boat there are racks for tanks and gear, a stove to cook your fresh caught lunch on and tubs of water to rinse the salt off of equipment and people. I was hoping that Deco the border collie cross was going to get to go with us, but he had to stay and man the office.

Since the Orcas and other marine mammals are not as prevalent among the inner islands I have not been in and around them much. It was beautiful to see the varied coastlines and quaint little Orcas Village. The taxi services were needed for a group of people that were visiting Canoe Island at the south end of Shaw Island for an open house at the French camp. The captain and I were invited up to see the camp and then had a delicious gourmet lunch overlooking the pool and surrounding islands. The setting was stunning and the trip as a whole was a relaxing change from my regular trips as a naturalist. It is so true that one never gets tired of the islands.

So, from Naknek Diving, San Juan Safaris and myself, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

What's Going On - San Juan Island

For starters: June 20 Saturday 6 PM to Dusk Orca Sing! Tomorrow at Lime Kiln State Park. Wait for whales while listening to City Cantabile Choir. ( a donation would be great) June 23 Tuesday 6:30 PM Seattle Aquarium (sponsored by Orca Network_ A look at what has bee learned about our Southern Resident Killer Whales July 1 Wednesday 7 PM The Whale Museum, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Lecture on Elephant Seals by Dr. Joe Gaydos of SeaDoc Society.

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Minke Maneuvers

Our evening sunset tours are very popular, but after tonight they are going to be the talk of the town. It is not every day that less than five minutes after you leave the dock you are with a whale. But on this night, that is exactly what happened. Capt. Nancy and I boarded our guests onto the MV Sea Lion for an evening cruise in the hopes that the Orcas that we knew were west of Victoria, B.C. would swim our direction. I had just finished giving the group some history on the islands and was stowing the gear when a customer on the bow yelled "WHALE". Capt. Nancy and I assumed it was a porpoise or a seal, because how could it be a whale, we were in Friday Harbor. But sure enough, up it came again and the blow gave it away as a whale.

As it turns out there was a Minke Whale feeding right in the mouth of the harbor. It slowly circled the boat in a feeding pattern as we drifted in the current. It would breathe once and then dive for approximately 2 minutes. The captain and I agreed that we had never heard of something like this happening before. Of course, just a few nights before I had watched a Harbor Seal feeding on a Herring bait ball right in the marina. The fish were right up next to the floating dock amidst the boats and the seal was maneuvering effortlessly through the water slurping up it's dinner. If it had followed the food into the harbor, there was no reason that the Minke couldn't do the same thing. Being only 30' long there is more than enough room in the channel for the whale to swim and move.

The rest of our tour was full of porpoises, eagles and we even caught a glimpse of some of the Sika and Fallow Deer on Spieden Island. The eaglet looks as good as ever in the nest on Spieden as well, and was busy chowing down on some dinner that a parent flew into it while we were watching. It looked as if snake was on the menu tonight.

The bounty and beauty of the islands is unsurpassed and we are all proud to call it home. So, from all of us at San Juan Safaris to all of you who dream to visit, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Gray Whales And A Submarine

We went to Whidbey Island, near the Whidbey Island Navel Base, to see not one, but two gray whales.

One appeared to be a bit larger than the other. Gray whales are amazing animals.

While there, we also saw some very cool Navy Jets flying right over us!!! On the way back we spotted a submarine... I had to take a couple of double takes but sure enough it was a submarine. After our submarine encounter we then headed toward Long Island and found a bald eagle.

On Whale Rocks we saw another bald eagle and some harbor seals hauled out.
Another beautiful day on the water and a great adventure with San Juan Safaris!!!

Naturalist Jeannette
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

An Orca Breach

L pod was near False Bay (on San Juan Island) today.
L pod is one of the three pods that make up the Southern Resident Killer Whales. Southern Resident killer whales were listed as an endangered species in the united states in November of 2005. There are a number of threats to these animals, but two declining fish populations and contamination are the largest contributors.

Today we were able to identify L-78, Gaia, a male. We also saw a breach by what appeared to be a youngster! The young orcas are so playful.

On the way back we took a quick detour to the Cactus Islands and saw some Harlequin Ducks- these ducks are so beautiful.

It was a great day for wildlife viewing.


Naturalist Jeannette
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

5:30 sunset whale watch tour Tuesday July 16, 2009

Captain Craig just gave me the lowdown about last evenings whale watching tour.

The Resident Killer whale "L" pod (or part of the pod) were viewed last evening on our 5:30 sunset whale watching tour. The boat took off about 5:30. At that point the orca whales were about 3 miles east of Sooke in Canada heading east - our way. When we caught up to them they were near Discovery Island.

Captain Craig said the water by Discovery Island was a bit choppy, but and hour or so into the tour the water had layed down.


The guests had very good looks at 4 of the orcas. More orca were seen from a distance. The whales kept coming east - so that by the end of the tour the boat was near San Juan Island again. Even though we had to travel a good distance, we were still back at the dock around 8:30 pm.




Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Minke Whales, Seals, & Eagles!

It was a perfect day to spot and see marine mammals: no wind, calm seas, and overcast skies, so there was little glare on the water.

We left Friday Harbor with a report of Minke Whales to the south at Hein Bank. Hein Bank is a place where it gets shallow due to an underwater sea mount or bank...there's kelp growing here and plenty of places for smaller fish and animals to hide around. For this reason it tends to be a great place for marine birds, seals, and Minke whales to feed! There were plenty of Glaucous winged Gulls and Rhinoceros Auklets sitting on the surface of the water when we arrived. In fact the seas were so smooth and glassy that you could see seabirds all around! We had a couple of great views of at least 2 Minke whales, sporadically surfacing in different directions.

The Minke whale is one of the smallest baleen whales, no longer than 30 feet in length. It has no teeth, instead it uses baleen to filter the water for smaller fish and planktonic creatures. It will fill its mouth cavity with water (and hopefully dinner), then push the water through the baleen, which acts as a filter or sieve, leaving behind the smaller fish to swallow.

We were lucky enough to see these whales surface multiple times, although we never quite knew where to look next! They can be a little elusive since they have a random feeding pattern, zig-zagging in one direction and then another. We left Hein Bank with the beautiful snow capped Olympic Mountains behind us and made our way towards Lopez Island and San Juan Island to check on a few Bald Eagles and napping Harbor Seals before returning to Friday Harbor.

-Jaclyn, naturalist
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

A Whale Watching Guests Writes In

hay safari girl's !

i bet you all are still havin fun, hah ? i'm telling you,we really enjoyed ourself's on the "3 hr.tour",with the skipper, ginger & mary ann. the gal i was w/is from new hampshire & it was her life long dream to see a killer whale. it took her 20 yrs.to plan that trip & seeing a killer whale ment EVERYTHING to her. i'm a commercial fisherman, so i see them all the time, but i still really enjoyed myself.

anywaay, here are a few picture's i took during the trip. just wanted to share w/you.
The Great Eskimo Hunter

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Sunset and Whales

It was a beautiful evening and Capt. Craig, the guests and I rushed right out to be a part of it. Actually, we were rushing because there were reports of Orcas in the vicinity and they were moving away from us. We quick got the group on board and the MV Sea Lion under way and motored out of the harbor.

A small charter boat had followed two transient Orcas up the coast of Vancouver Island to Active Pass between Galiano and Mayne Islands, B.C. We caught up with them on the east side of the pass and had the amazing opportunity to watch as the whales surfaced and blew in the late evening sun. It turned out that we were relaxing with T20 and T21, two transient Orcas that are common to the area. T20 is a big male that is nearly 35 years old and T21 is a female just a few years younger than that.

As the sun set and shot stunning colors into the sky we marveled at the reflection caught on the whale's dorsal fins each time they surfaced. Interestingly, these two animals along with a third were part of the only recorded negative interaction between resident and transient Orcas. In the 1970s a photographer/researcher witnessed J pod chasing and attacking these transients and attempting to run them ashore. T20, 21 & 22 were finally able to use a boat as a distraction and escape and J pod was left milling and agitated.

There was none of that this night though and the scenes that these two whales afforded us will be stored as precious memories for many years to come. Until the next time, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Our inland arm of the Pacific Ocean...The Puget Sound

The Puget Sound is a very biologically diverse inland sea. We have many species of marine mammals, birds, invertebrates, algae and more.

The most popular marine mammal is the orca, which is actually the largest member of the dolphin family. Today's safari included lots of bald eagles, porpoises, seals and bull kelp (brown algae).

Bull kelp is very interesting and important to our ecosystem. It is a primary producer, using the sunlight to grow and ends up feeding many organisms. Bull kelp is also an important habitat to many animals as well. This brown algae has been known to grow 200 feet in one summer, it is very productive.

Thank You,

Naturalist Jeannette
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Let The Nights Begin!

As spring advances towards summer here and the days become longer in the San Juan Islands, we at San Juan Safaris shift into our evening sunset tours along with the lengthening sunlight. This particular Saturday marked our first late tour of the season and it was a glorious one. The sun shone through a clear sky, but the wind made jackets a necessity, especially out on the water. As Capt. Peter maneuvered us out of Friday Harbor and I talked with the guests aboard the MV Sea Lion we received a report that there was a Humpback Whale not far from us. We quickly traveled south around Turn Point and down Griffin Bay.

We were nearly to Cattle Pass when Capt. Peter slowed the boat and told us all it was time to look. It only took a minute before I spotted a blow 450 yards away at Cape San Juan. This is a beautiful protected area on the southern tip of San Juan Island. The whale was right at the edge of the current line feeding on all of the food that was being pushed through Cattle Pass with the flooding, or incoming, tide. Because the water was boiling around us with the rushing of the tide we lost track of the whale a few times, but always quickly located him again. He was also swimming in erratic patters depending on what his food was doing. Two other boats joined us out in the melee as we tracked the beautiful giant out of the pass.

Once the Humpback had moved out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca we decided to seek calmer waters. We slowly traveled up Lopez Island looking for eagles and then cruised into Parks Bay on Shaw Island. The water was like glass as the land closed around us in the little bay. At the very back of the bay we had the privilege of seeing an Osprey sitting in the top of a tree next to it's nest. Finally, it was a circuit around Yellow Island and an aerial show by juvenile and adult Bald Eagles over a nearby island as the sun sank down.

Our first evening out epitomized the tranquility of the islands and reminded us all that sometimes you need to stop and smell the roses. So, from all of us to all of you, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

A National Bird Day!!!

WOW!!! We saw so many bald eagles today... We even got a glimpse of about five in one tree.

It is so wonderful that the bald eagle populations have made such a comeback. Bald eagles were greatly affected by DDT, a pesticide, due to bio magnification. DDT was causing thinning of egg shells. Bald eagles were listed as an endangered species in 1967 and were believed to be on the brink of extinction. By 1972 DDT had been banned in the US, and on July 12, 1995 the bald eagles were reclassified as only threatened.

On June 28th, 2007 the bald eagles had recovered significantly and were delisted!!! This is a great comeback and a great lesson, changes can make a huge difference!!!

Another very exciting thing happened today, we saw a river otter. This was my first time seeing this adorable little animal in the wild.

Thank You,

Naturalist Jeannette
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

It's A Humpy!

This is a week of firsts, I am telling you. Today we were treated to another rare sighting and that was a Humpback Whale. Even the captain said she has not seen one of these in the waters directly around San Juan Island in two years. The whale did not seem to realize the frenzy that it was causing with the wildlife watching companies. Clearly it was just there to eat and not be a media star. Capt. Nancy, Jeanette and I fell under the whale's spell just like all of our guests on the MV Sea Lion. We anxiously awaited every blow and exclaimed as excitedly as anyone when we finally saw the tail fluke. The seemingly young animal was travelling, or possibly feeding, shallowly so there was only one deep dive and that is when we saw it's large beautiful tail. It was a great experience for my first humpy sighting.

When we finally tore ourselves away from the Humpback as it swam off into the sparkling waves we decided to go in search of seals and baby eagles. We cruised along the coast of Henry Island as it guarded the entrance to Roche Harbor and then over to Sentinel Rock. There we relaxed with the Harbor Seals as they indulged in an afternoon nap in the sun. A couple of Oystercatchers kept watch for yummy tidbits of food up in the rocks.

Spieden Island was quite today with it's golden grasses along the southern exposure. As we came up to the large eagle's nest a guest spotted an adult Bald Eagle cruising along the face of the island and then up into the nest. Slowly the front of the nest became visible and as the adult hopped out of the nest and onto a branch, up popped an eaglet. It is no longer grey and fluffy, but has started to get it's adult feathers. At one point it stood up tall and looked right at us with the parent sitting nearby.

What a cool day with our majestic wildlife and this week has been one wonder after another. The puffin and the Humpback and then a baby eagle. What magic abounds in this beautiful place. So, thank you from all of us to all of you and we at San Juan Safaris will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Huffin' and Puffin!

Wow! After three days off what a comeback. I showed up at the office this morning to news of Orcas in the area, but they were different from those that we had been seeing. The excitement was palpable as our group of 25 guests, along with Capt. Nancy, Jeanette and I motored out into the great unknown. Would the whales stay in an area where we could see them, would there be as many as were reported, would Capt. Nancy remember Jeanette's name today? It was all a mystery and we wanted answers.

With the recent full moon we were riding a powerful ebb tide and we all urged the MV Sea Lion through the waters to the south end of San Juan Island. We instantly saw the other wildlife watching boats as we came around Cattle Point. We edged up and then waited for those beautiful black & whites to come to us. We only had to wait a minute before we spotted L41 "Mega" in the distance off of our port side. Soon there were whales everywhere! They were breaching and tail lobbing and blowing in every direction. Jeanette and the guests at the stern of the boat watched one individual spyhop three times in a row as well as one animal that rolled on its side and splashed in the water with its pectoral flipper. Off the bow was a juvenile that seemed to take great joy in vigorously slapping its tail on the water over and over. Capt. Nancy said later that this was the most active that she has ever seen the L12s, or Alexis's sub-group.

The trip back to port was the highlight of my day though. I am known for not being a screamer, but I squealed my heart out when we came around Hall Island, just east of Long Island and south of Lopez Island, and I spotted a Tufted Puffin. Ever since I wrote a report on puffins in elementary school I have wanted to see one in the wild and there it was. It was only about 12 feet from the boat so I and some of the guests could get a great look before it dove under and disappeared. Puffins used to nest on these islands, but due to disturbance, predation and food shortages they are rarely seen here now. This was a crowning jewel in my life list though and one more step in a hobby that I learned from my grandfather.

We were finally welcomed back to Friday Harbor by a rambunctious pod of Harbor Porpoises and were able to deliver our guests up for the 4:15 PM Washington State Ferry. As always, what a great day. Thank you to our lovely guests and you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

West Side!!!

Southern Resident Killer Whales on the west side of San Juan Island. We identified members of L-pod, one of the three pods of the southern resident killer whales. We first saw some members of L-pod just south of Lime Kiln State Park heading North. Just as we decided to make a trip around San Juan Island following the orcas, they changed their direction and began heading South. We quickly changed our direction and began heading south as well. We watched as the orcas traveled and even spy hopped. The captain then decided to head north and take a peak at the Cactus Islands. These islands are very beautiful. We then began looking for bald eagles and too our surprise found not only one but four. On our way back to Friday Harbor we got a good look at some of the mouflon sheep on Spieden. These sheep are awesome to look at. Another great adventure in the San Juan Islands with San Juan Safaris!!!

Jeannette, Naturalist
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

K20 & K38 on the move!

Another interesting day on the water....the same two K-pod members, mama K-20 and 5 year old calf K-38 were on the move and at quite a clip! We caught up with these 2 resident Orcas in Canadian waters off the Gulf Islands. They definitely covered some ground (or should i say sea)...since yesterday when we saw them in the Strait of Juan de Fuca east of Port Angeles. Our guests really did enjoy the serenity of watching the whales surface while listening as they breathed! We turned to head home as they Orcas approached Active Pass. I think everyone's wondering why these 2 are swimming solo, without the rest of K-pod? It was quite a scenic boat trip back through the islands with glimpses of eagles soaring and one occupying it's very large nest in the Cactus Islands. Not to mention, there were quite a number of porpoise swimming about in the swiftly moving waters off of Speiden Island!

-Jaclyn, naturalist
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Orcas Near Protection Island Today-A Long Haul

On our Saturday trip we were delighted to finally see a couple members of the Southern Resident Community back around the San Juan Islands! Strangely, however, it was just K20, Spock, and her offspring, K38, Comet.K Pod members are rarely seen travelling for so long without the rest of their pod.

So, today when we yet again saw K20 & K38 travelling as a duo, people are left scratching their heads as to the whereabouts of the rest of K Pod. Luckily, though, seeing orcas is always awesome and we had a boat load of excited and enthusiastic guests! Captain Craig motored on through a flooding tide all the way down to the Olympic Peninsula (near Sequim, see map) to catch up with the two K pod member, who were headed east. We go where ever we need to in order to view whales.

As the flooding tide helped us homeward, we cruised past Long Island to check out a bald eagle's nest, then shut down the motor to stare in awe at the water rushing through Cattle Pass, creating white caps, and upwelling zones, and back eddies, etc.

The weather got better and better throughout the trip and we pulled into Friday Harbor more than satisfied after a fantastic day on the water.

Until tomorrow,
Ashley, Naturalist

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

June is Orca Month. June 23-The Main Event

June 23, 2009 at 6:30 PM
At the Seattle Aquarium
$5o inclues:
-complimentary glass of Hoodsport Orca Wind
-gourmet hors d'Hoevuvres
-an unforgetable evening
Seattle Aquarium

1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59, Seattle, WA

For tickets click here

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

North of the border with Orcas!

What a wonderful welcome home! With it just being my 2nd day back in the islands, I and the other guests aboard the MV Sea Lion were welcomed with great views of a couple of Orca whales, harbor seals and soaring eagles!
We spent the afternoon cruising north from Friday Harbor, straight shooting it for the Canadian waters off of Saturna Island, British Columbia to catch-up with a few members of K-pod. (K-pod being one of the three local resident pods of Orcas.) With the incoming tide the Orcas were swiftly swimming along northbound; fortunately that same flooding tide was also pushing us along to catch up to them! We paralleled the mother K20 and her 5 year-old calf K38 in the smooth waters off the Strait of Georgia. Where is the rest of K-pod? That's to be determined, I suppose.
A funny side note- a few years ago K20 (nicknamed Spock), was believed to be an adolescent male since her dorsal fin was a little taller and straighter than the average female. A characteristic of a maturing and/or mature male Orca is a very tall dorsal fin. Then lo and behold in 2004 this supposed male was seen swimming with a little calf close by....and K20's true identity as a female was revealed!
The afternoon was beautiful and the guests were very enthusiastic with lots of questions and interest about the wildlife of the area. A lovely start to my summer and a great day for our guests visiting the San Juan Islands! Feels good to be back.

-Jaclyn, Naturalist
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

After a few days of unusually hot weather for the San Juan Islands (I heard up to 85 or maybe even 90 degrees (Fahrenheit)!) it finally cooled down (at least a little) and turned out to be a beautiful day to cruise the islands. We departed San Juan Island with no reports of any pods from the Southern Resident Community, or any Transient orcas, either, around the area. But not to worry, because of our cold nutrient rich waters around the islands are abound with wildlife, so there is no shortage of wildlife viewing aboard the MV Sea Lion.

We headed north, stoppping to gaze in awe at the white caps and upwelling zones created by the flooding tide to the east of the Catcus Islands. As we cruised pass the Catcus Islands, which lie to the north of Speiden Island (these three islands are all privately owned) we spotted one adult bald eagle sitting atop a tree, and a junvenile and adult bald ealge both standing on the ground. After spending time viewing these large birds (3 feet tall, 6-8 foot wing span) we headed north to Turn Point off of Stuart Island. Turn Point Lighthouse, on Turn Point, is a place were large ships must make a sharp turn (hence the point's name). It is also part of a 69.3 acre state park on Stuart Island.

While at Turn Point we first spotted Harbor porpoises darting this way and that, likely fishing. After spending a bit of time viewing this more-elusive porpoise, we had the opportunity to see some fast travelling (up to 35 mph!) and more boat-friendly Dall's porpoise travel alongside our boat and in our vicinity.

It was a gorgeous day out on the water. Ahh summer in the islands.
Ashley, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Baleen Whales!!!

We watched a gray whale just offshore of Whidbey Island near the Naval Air Force Base.
We watched as the whale would blow 3 to 6 times and then take a dive for a couple of minutes.
Everyone loved the heart shaped spray that the exhale makes from gray whales.
I really find it interesting that gray whales feed on benthic crustaceans in sediment.

We then headed Northwest of Smith Island and looked for a minke whale that had been seen. Some of the guests got a great view of the small sickle shaped dorsal fin of the minke whale. Some guests were convinced that there was actually two minke whales.

We also saw lots and lots of different birds. I was very excited to see a surf scoter. We also saw some common murres, cormorants, bald eagles and many other birds.

Jeannette (Naturalist)
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

July 4th in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

San Juan Island's 4th of July parade is such fun. And our fireworks are really good too! Celebrate with the locals.

Friday, July 3 12-14 antique Fire Trucks Arrive via Ferry from off-Island,

5:00 pm Spaghetti Supper for Visitors and Residents at the Fire Station [$10]

Saturday, July 4 Noon (after parade) – 2:30 pm Lunch at the Fire Station (Phily cheese Steak Sandwich or Turkey Wraps for $7; Hot Dogs for $5; each with chips and drink

Saturday Afternoon 1:30-5pm – Antique Fire Apparatus-Car Show with fire fighter competitions (bucket brigades, hose pulls)

Saturday Evening 5pm – 7pm – Barbeque Dinner at the Fire Station (Tri-Tip Dinner, Salad, Bread, Drink and Chef’s Cookies for $10.

Sunday, July 5 6am – 10:30am Firefighters Traditional Pancake Breakfast at the Fire Station for $6.

12:30-1:30pm – Ceremony at the Port (Recognition of Fallen Firefighters, cannon salute and official recognition of Friday Harbor Volunteer Fire Department’s 100^th Birthday)

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

About Feeding Wild Animals On San Juan Island

and any other place. . . . Journal of the San Juans Yesterday, June 3, 2009
Here is an excert from

A fed wild animal is a dead wild animal | Editorial

By JULIA VOURI
Journal of the San Juans Correspondent
Jun 03 2009, 10:19 AM · UPDATED

At San Juan Island National Historical Park, particularly the American Camp prairie, the drama and wonder of animal life unfolds before our very eyes. Deer graze. Fox kits play as their mothers hunt. Eagles and hawks swoop over the prairie and perch on fences and snags, looking for their next meal. Mice, rabbits and voles contribute to the cycle of life.

But there are other activities we’ve seen that distress us: Visitors to the park stop their cars and lure fox kits with food so they can snap a photograph. Visitors let their dogs run off leash. A jogger runs through the park, letting her dog run free and bark at wildlife.

These activities are distressing because they upset the self-sustaining balance of prairie life.

They are also against the law.

Read the balance of this story by clicking here

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Oh How Many Minkes!

The reports of Orcas are starting to roll in, but they are still too far West for us to get to them. Our Gray Whale friend, whom I have dubbed Clyde the glide, was possibly still in the waters near the naval air station, but our stalwart group clamored for something out of the ordinary. So South we headed, but for Hein Bank instead of Whidbey Island.

Our own parrot owning Capt. Craig toured us through breathtakingly calm waters in the Strait of Juan de Fuca where there were seabirds and Harbor Seals by the swarms. I saw the first loon of the season attempting to hide amongst all of the cormorants and I may have even seen a puffin, except that it dove under before I could get a good look at it. Two other wildlife watching boats were in the area of the bank and they were watching two Minke Whales dive and forage. Luckily we found our own whale and got wonderful unobstructed views of its pointed rostrum, or nose area, as it surfaced as well as the rostral grooves along the top of its snout leading to the blow holes. What a magnificent sight, especially since it went about its business of foraging and didn't seem to pay us any mind. Each time the whale broke the surface of the glassy waters we could hear its movements all was so still.

We finally had to leave the Minke, but there was more to see. Views of Victoria and Vancouver Island, Lime Kiln Point State Park with Lime Kiln Lighthouse, Harbor Porpoises playing in our wake and a surprising group of eagles. As we came around Spieden Island to see the Cactus Islands Capt. Craig spotted an eagle sitting on some rocks alone. All of a sudden we realized that we were surrounded by Bald Eagles. There were juveniles at all stages and adults; birds in the water, birds on the rocks and birds in the trees on both islands. You could not hardly take a picture for deciding which one was best.

I was astounded by the day. It was great to be out on the MV Sea Lion and I can now officially say that I have seen a Minke whale. And more eagles than I have ever seen in my life. Our enthusiastic group was a treasure as always and prompts me to say, from all of us at San Juan Safaris to all of you everywhere, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

It is Orca Month - Check Out The Goings-Ons

Kids:
Pod Nod at The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor.
June 27, July 3, 11, 18, 25 and 31.
It is a pajama party sleepover in the Museum ages 6 to 10.
Cost $39 per child (member) $49 (non-member) For information phone 360.378.4710 X 23.
Art projects, science labs, music, games and flashlight tour of the Exhibit Hall in The Whale Museum.

Orca Month
Click here to see information about June - Orca Month
Here is a partial quote from that sight by Ralph and Karen Munro

Happier memories include seeing growing numbers of people willing to work for protection of whales of all species, an increasing number of whale-related programs such as Orca Network, the Center for Whale Research, Orcalab, etc. And finally, tens of thousands of local citizens who are willing to stand up and shout, "Don't let our orcas die!"

As we celebrate Orca Month, let each of us recommit our time, talents and treasure to work that insures protection and growth of our orca population. These incredible creatures of the sea need our help. Good luck and Godspeed."

-Ralph and Karen Munro, Triple Creek Farm, Mud Bay, Olympia

Please donate time or money to the fine organizations on this site






Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Gray Days

What a day to see gray. A whale that is. As our balmy (82 degrees F, 28% humidity) weather continues here in the San Juan Islands we took to the seas to find cool breezes and cool animals. True to our Pacific Northwest abundance we were not disappointed. Craig expertly captained the MV Sea Lion while Jeanette and I performed for the crowd. Our boisterous group of guests, along with Junior Mariners, were super wildlife spotters and found lots of things for everyone to see.

The waters continue to be full of driftwood and kelp rafts from the high tides that we had last week and the increased snow melt from these warm days. We skimmed past it all as we watched Harbor Seals bob like corks in the glass-like waters before rolling under the waves once more. The cormorants were out in force on Goose Island, along with the various gulls. Disney got it right in the movie Finding Nemo when they portrayed the gulls as saying "Mine, Mine". Listening to a large flock of gulls sounds just like that now.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island was busy today as we motored into the waters just West of there. It looked as if the pilots were doing touch-and-gos in the fighter jets, roaring through the sky giving us quite the air show. The noise did not seem to disturb the Gray Whale as it continued its foraging behavior. It has been several days now that this single whale has been seen feeding in the area. There were also Harbor Seals around, so the buffet must be good. Those passengers on the stern of the boat got a real eyeful when the whale came up and blew not 25 yards behind the boat at one point. It then moved off in another direction as did we. I could not get any confirming reports about how bad the breath was though. Clearly more study is needed.

As we were motoring back towards Lopez Island one of the guests saw a sea lion in the water. We made a quick u-turn and a few people were able to see it before it tired of the attention and swam down into the deep. The Long Island Bald Eagle was again in attendance today, but we could not see any action in or around the nest. All of the creatures that we saw today looked robust and healthy though and seem to be making the most of our lovely weather.

Our noses pink and our minds full of beautiful mental pictures we arrived back in Friday Harbor to take our new found peace ashore. So, to all of you out there from all of us here at San Juan Safaris, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

A Thank You From A Whale Watching Guest

This just in from one of our great visitors...
Thank you so much for a wonderful day for me and my family yesterday. We loved the tour and the island. My wife and I are planning our retirement from the military vacation next year for the Seattle area and already plan on spending much of our time out there. Tristan and Jeannette were great!
Sincerely,
James Owens

We love hearing that everyone had a great time...

Thank You,
Jeannette (naturalist)
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Gray whale!!!

Gray whale today near Whitbey Island Naval Base.

These whales have a streamlined body with a narrow, tapered head. Gray whales are always great to watch. We observed the whale foraging. We even saw the whales fluke.

Gray whales are bottom sediment feeders. The whale exhibited the predictable breathing pattern. Gray whales are a mysticete or baleen whale and have two blow holes.

Sometimes you can see a heart or v-shaped spray shape. This is really cool... We also got to see some harbor seals, bald eagles and harbor porpoises. We also saw an eagles nest.

Jeannette Miller, Naturalist
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©