Turning Points

It was an evening to behold and luckily we were there. Most, if not all, of L Pod passed by the MV Sea Lion tonight and with the number of animals that we saw there must have been some of K Pod as well. Capt. Nancy caught us up with the whale watch fleet just south of Turn Point on Stuart Island. We floated in the golden evening light as group after family group of orcas passed by us. There was Mega and Skana, all of their siblings and mothers and Gaia with his new dorsal fin scars, to name a few.

As the animals neared Turn Point they ran very close to the cliffs breaching and splashing. We saw feeding and high spirits and watched as the different groups glided through the kelp beds under the lighthouse. Our hydrophone picked up beautiful vocalizations that slowly faded as the whales moved away. The orcas blew and breached their way into the distance and we left them cruising northwest into Canadian waters.

On the way home to Friday Harbor we stopped by one of the Cactus Islands to look at 11 bald eagles feeding on a carcass. It was a mix of both juveniles and adults scattered all over the rocks and shoreline. As we watched a very large, all dark brown bird flew in and landed right on the carcass, startling all of the juveniles away. Capt. Nancy and I were hesitant to say what species of bird it was since sightings are so rare, but we think it was a golden eagle. They are occasionally seen here in the islands and it is a lucky person indeed that witnesses one of these striking birds.

What an incredible trip we had tonight and I am so glad that our guests had a chance to be with us. So, 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 Wildlife Adventure

What a diversity of wildlife today, birds, seals and orcas. Just north of Lopez Island we saw a mature bald eagle (with a white head and tail) and a great blue heron about 10 feet away. Then we headed further south and saw some very large black dorsal fins. We knew right away that we were looking at some mature male orcas. We were then able to determine that we were looking at L-pod based on the saddle patches.

L-pod is the largest pod of the Southern Resident Community of orcas. There are about 39 orcas in this pod. The Southern Resident Orcas have been listed as an endangered species in the United States and in Canada.

We watched a few animals as they milled around the west side of San Juan Island, near False Bay. We then ventured offshore and found a few more individuals from L-pod. We saw a breach and a spy hop. As we returned to the San Juan Channel we encountered a few harbor seals swimming and a few hauled out at various locations. We also got some great views of the adorable pups.

Another great adventure in the San Juans with San Juan Safaris!

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

A full on excursion!

The heat wave here in the Pacific Northwest is starting to subside! It was the 2nd day in a row for me to wear shorts on the boat and not freeze! Can't say I can do that very often. I was out on our smaller vessel the Kittiwake with our 12 guests aboard for a little adventure this afternoon.

Rumors were that the Orcas were still west of us in the Strait of Juan de Fuca slowly making their way inbound. They were out of range when we left the dock but I had a good feeling they would be coming our way. We went north for fun to check out a few eagles nest and tour through the San Juans...knowing (and crossing our fingers) that we could meet up with them if they did get within our range...

The Bald Eagle chick on O'neill Island was perched on a branch just inches above the nest! Looks like it is getting ready to fledge if it hasn't already. The nest on the south side of Speiden still had its chick in it with an adult posted on a nearby branch. A little hot for grazing exotic game on Speiden...just a few Mouflon Sheep out on the south side.

Now it was about this time when we got the good word the Orcas were picking up the pace and inbound. Still in Canadian waters, south of Victoria but nonetheless coming our way. We sped off around the west side of San Juan Island through Haro Strait. Our guests were getting lucky today! A full tour around all of the island and an international trip! We met up with the "leaders" of this Orca train and paralleled them as they crossed Haro Strait towards False Bay on San Juan Island. Looked like they were enjoying the bit of waves & currents...almost surfing the waves and porpoising! I am quite positive that we were looking at K13 Skagit and her offspring: K20 Spock & her calf K38 Comet, K25 Scoter, K27 Deadhead, and K34 Cali. The great-grandmother (K11 Georgia) of 5-year-old Comet may have been there as well. This family group did spread out a bit as they travelled and we got a great look at K25 (an 18-year-old sprouter male) doing some fishing in a rip. His fin looked much like that of a shark as he quickly pursued his prey underwater! Behind this group was another large male and my guess is that it was L87 who may have a girlfriend in the group. He's been seen with K pod quite a bit in the last week or so! Maybe a new little calf will be born in another 16-17 months or so!

We were running low on time so we said goodbye to the Orcas and heading back towards Friday Harbor by way of Cattle Pass at the southern end of the island. Lots of birds out today! Just before Cattle Pass I did see 3 Common Murres sitting on the water!

Another enjoyable day with great guests and wildlife in the beautiful San Juans. Hope you're able to join us!

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

Better Than Seattle - Shakespeare in the Country

Today until August 22, 2009 8:15 every evening under the stars right here on San Juan Island. A professional performance you will most definately enjoy. Payments are by donation.

As You Like It

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Orca Madness

While a heat wave roars through the Pacific Northwest, we here in Friday Harbor decided to cool our heals in the waters of Boundary Pass. The orcas had been north and east and everywhere according to the reports that we were getting, but we found them heading west towards Swanson Channel and the Pender islands. Supposedly, J1 "Ruffles" had been over near Lummi Island, but almost like clock-work he and his family showed up off of the starboard bow of our boat.

Capt. Craig always seems to know where to find them and he makes Kathy's and my job so easy. He slowly maneuvered the MV Sea Lion around to run parallel to the orcas and keep our customers insight of them. There were a few breaches in the area, but it was mainly a sunny stroll through calm waters. The orcas slowly spread out and dissipated until we were tracking just one or two. So we waved a last goodbye and headed off to see some of the other amazing wildlife in the San Juan Islands.

Flattop Island, a National Wildlife Refuge, had several mature bald eagles sitting on it and each little rock that stuck up had a harbor seal on it. We even saw one female on Ripple Rocks that had been stained rust color from excess iron in the waters where she has been living. Cormorants sunned on the rocks nearby and harbor porpoises fed in the area. It was a good reminder of the bounty of this area and that orcas are not our only natural wonder.

It was another great trip well attended by both wildlife and guests. So, from all of us here at San Juan Safaris to all of you sun babies out there, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist




Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Wildlife in the San Juans

What a phenomenal day for wildlife viewing in the San Juan Islands. We headed south in the San Juan Channel and then up the west side of San Juan Island.

We encountered L-pod off shore of False Bay. It was amazing out there. The water was so calm, we shut down our engines and listened to the orcas as they surfaced to breathe. Every encounter with the orcas is amazing but today was exceptional. Orcas everywhere.

On the way back to Friday Harbor we took a look at Long Island to see a Bald eagles nest. We also saw a beautiful mature bald eagle. We then saw some Harbor seals hauled out on Whale Rocks. Lots of pups were born this year and they are very adorable. And just when everyone thought we were done viewing wildlife we saw Harbor porpoises.

Another great adventure with San Juan Safaris.
Naturalist Jeannette Miller

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

North and South, J's and L's!!!

We had a whale-packed day out on the MV Sea Lion today! Captain Craig, naturalist Jeannette, and I cruised all over the islands. During our afternoon trip we made our way north to Turn Point on Stuart Island (the most northwestern point of the islands AND the most northwestern point in the continental United States!). When we arrived to Turn Point J Pod was cruising on past in one tight knit group, with a few members dispersed here and there. J-1 and J-27 where in the tight pack, but as we approached closer to Turn Point J-1 (Ruffles) separated a little from the pod to do his own thing. J pod is the most resident of the three pods that make up the Southern Resident Community (the community of orcas people are typically thinking about when they hear of orcas in this area), they generally come back into the islands waters' at least once a month every month of the year. They gave us quite a show but moved rather quickly northward, so as we made our way back to Friday Harbor we were glad to here there were other orcas located somewhere near the south end of San Juan Island!

We boarded the boat for the evening tour, and headed in the opposite direction from the afternoon trip. Southward bound we cruised, excited to see what whales were located off the south side. We caught up with the whales near Castle Island of the southern side of Lopez Island. They were (just like J pod in the afternoon!) in a one tight-knit group with a few outliers here and there. We saw L 78 travelling a bit separate from the group and a few others here and there, but for the most part there was a large group spyhopping, porpoising, breaching, etc etc. It was a wonderful show on glassy calm sun-lit waters!


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Jolly ol' Js

It was a double round-trip for those guests coming from Anacortes today. We loaded them on the boat in Friday Harbor and then motored through Upright Channel and Thatcher Pass to get to Rosario Strait right outside of Anacortes. There was some fog again today, but it was well inland and offered a nice soft background for viewing the orcas. And orcas there were.

J pod was all there travelling in two tight family groups down the strait. The four big boys, both calves with their mothers, all of the juveniles and the grand dames as well. J1 "Ruffles" showed us some tail slapping action and then someone popped up in a spyhop. The calves were tucked into the middle of the groups with their moms at their sides and J2 "Granny" led the whole thing. The most picturesque moment came when most of the pod surfaced together for air with the lighthouse at Burrows Island in the background.

We finally ended the trip with a head-on view of the orcas coming right at the boat. A moment only allowed us to revel in the awe of these stunning animals and then we moved away before we disturbed their travel. By this time we were at the south end of Decatur Island, so we slipped through a narrow pass to the coastline of Lopez Island and followed that back around to San Juan Channel and home. A bald eagle, harbor seals and many, many sea birds rounded out our day of wildlife viewing and a close-up of the schooner Adventuress wrapped our day.

So, from Capt. Nancy, Jeanette, MV Sea Lion, San Juan Safaris and myself, thank you for all of your whale watching enthusiasm and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

A Fairytale Ending...

Last night was incredible! Our guests did not realize how good they got it! We circumnavigated San Juan Island, leaving to the south and meeting up with the Killer Whales (Orcas) of J & K pods on the west side. The seas had calmed down...(earlier we had 2-3 footers & white caps)....but by the evening it was flat calm and you could see a thick fog bank looming in the Strait between Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula. The Orcas were spread out and we got great views of a 1 or 2 here and there travelling south. We moved a half mile from Lime Kiln and shutdown to drop the hydrophone in. The underwater vocalizations and echolocation were incredible! We had no idea where the vocalizations were coming from...which direction or which whale, since there were none nearby. Sound does travel 4-5 times faster in water than air, so they could be a mile or more away! At one point, one of our younger guests aboard remarked "Are you sure that sound's not coming from their butt?! It sounds like a fart!" Haha! Did that get the crowd going....

Enthusiasm is contagious...we all couldn't help but smile and laugh when this same young guest first saw the Orcas and shouted "Wow! I didn't know wildlife could be so cool!"

We saw some great behaviors....logging (when an Orca just sits at the surface with its fin & head poking above the surface for minutes), flipper slaps, tail slaps, and some fishing in the rips where currents collide. Most of the whales seemed to have turned around and started to head north. So hopefully that means plenty of salmon for them and they're sticking around our waters for the next few days!

As we rounded the north end of the island you could see a few dark clouds hanging over the San Juans. The lighting this time of night in the summers is spectacular with the sun getting low in the sky. Then coming south through San Juan Channel you could see one end of a rainbow touching down on Orcas Island, the other on San Juan Island! Just as we docked, the entire rainbow filled in and we had a complete arch! I think our guests got the impression that it's always picture perfect like this out here. Not quite, but last night it was!

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

Cappuccino anyone?

K-pod today! We identified K-21, Cappuccino. Cappuccino was born in 1986 and is a male. He was traveling with a female known as Deadhead, K-27. K-pod has 19 individuals and is the smallest of the three pods that make up the Southern Resident Community of killer whales.

The Southern Resident Killer Whales are a significant population in the Pacific Northwest. SRKW’s have been listed as an Endangered species in both the US and Canada. These resident orcas are often in the San Juan and Puget Sound area during summer months. These animals are considered to be “resident” orcas (a distinct form of ocra) and specialize in foraging on fish. They do not eat marine mammals like the “transient” orcas. Research has shown that the resident orcas prefer to eat salmon, especially Chinook salmon.

Chinook salmon has also been listed on the Endangered Species List. Salmon is an anadromous fish. They actually leave their natal freshwater streams, migrate to the ocean, they stay there for usually 3 to 5 years on average and then migrate back to their natal stream to spawn. There are many of issues facing these fish: dams, water diversions, habitat destruction, water quality and temperature changes, pollution, predation in fish ladders and over fishing (and that’s only to name a few).

Chinook salmon needs to be recovered if we want to keep these southern resident orcas around. “It’s all about the salmon”.

Naturalist Jeannette

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Orca Photos by Haley Hasted

Orca in a partial breach

Orca Breaching

Who0peeeeeeee a breach

Four Orca Whales
A BIG thank you to Haley for sending these in to our photo contest.
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Michele Wassell Sent Orca Photo with Sea Lion

Monday, June 15th in the evening in the Strait of Georgia. Here is a photo that I took of the Sea Lion boat with T20 in the foreground.

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Orca With Our Boat Sea Lion by Michele Wassel

The MV Sea Lion stopped while a transient orca (not a resident or an off shore orca)
swims by.
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Whale Watching Guest Bill McFadden Sent These Photos

Thanks for a great tour yesterday. I heard one tour (another company) yesterday missed the whales completely. Your extra effort going almost all the way to Vancouver was greatly appreciated! Bill

1. start of a breach


2. getting into it


3. Way into it

4. coming back down

5. Splash down!

Photos by W. H. McFadden

Wow, what a difference 24 hours can make.
Yesterday about this time, we were
out in search Killer Whales and working to stay warm.
This evening, Kathryn and I returned home
to NW Louisiana to 104 degrees!

As promised, attached are six photos shot
in rapid succession of the Orca
known as Blackberry. Formally, he is
J27 (Blackberry) born 1991. "He" is a male.
Please feel free to use them any way you want.

I wish all of you safe travels home. Enjoy!
Bill

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Whale and Wildlife Photos from Guest: Cheryl Hartley

Orca Breaching

Orca Breaching

Two Harbor Seals

Orca Spy Hop
From a whale watching trip on July 2009 from Cheryl Hartley
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

San Juan Island, where the whales are...

Today we headed north in the San Juan Channel. We had a few sightings of orcas earlier at False Bay on the west side ofSan Juan Island. We were originally considering going south. But as we motored out of Friday Harbor, we heard that the orcas were moving up on the west side of San Juan Island - fast.

So we went north and cruised past the south side of Spieden Island, which is just north of San Juan Island. As we looked for big black dorsal fins or a big blow from the bow of our vessel the Sea Lion, we saw a small, triangular fin. A Harbor Porpoise!

We then saw the big dorsal fins. Our first sights of orca were right off the west side of Henry Island. Henry Island is just to the west of Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. The orcas were fishing right off shore. They are intriguing to watch as they fish - going back and forth and back and forth. We identified some individuals by their saddle patch (just behind their dorsal fin). We were seeing K pod and a few of the L pod.

The Southern Resident community consists of 85 killer whales, making up three pods: J, K and L. K pod is actually the smallest pod consisting of 19 individuals. L pod is the largest with 39 killer whales. We watched the orcas for about an hour. They began moving off shore and heading south, down San Juan Island. They probably traveled right past Lime Kiln State Park.

We then headed to the Cactus Islands and saw what I believe to be a nesting pair of Bald eagles perched side by side in the top of a tree. We also got a great view of their rather enormous eaglet flapping its wings in the nest. I am always surprised with how fast eagles grow. We also saw a few Harbor seals and their pups swimming around.

Another great trip with San Juan Safaris.
Naturalist Jeannette Miller
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

The Best Laid Plans...

Can go awry. You design a vacation around a wild animal that decides that it does not want to be on display that week. You devise a foolproof schedule and then the world conspires against you and nothing is on time. You take every precaution and still chaos ensues.

Such was our week in the whale and wildlife watching business. You never know when that perfect storm is going to hit, but when it does you always feel it. When times like this come upon us we in the tourism industry, and especially the wildlife based tourism industry, appreciate the frustration that they can cause during someone's hard earned vacation. We also greatly appreciate the fortitude with which the public faces each of these challenges.

Twice this week boats have gone afoul here in the islands. One on some shallow rocks and the Kittiwake today had mechanical troubles. To top it off, the orcas have not been seen in two days because they are out in open ocean. On all of these occasions though the guests have shown great understanding and have done their best to help the crews, companies and other visitors. Whether it was calmly being removed from one boat to another for transport back to port or whether it was gamely looking for elusive minke whales that seemed desperate to hide. What could have been miserable circumstances were turned into new adventures and pleasant motor cruises through the help of the wonderful visitors to the San Juan Islands.

So, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to personally say thank you to all of you who have shared your time with us here this week and who remembered that patience is a virtue. As always, I look forward to...

Seeing You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Peaceful Wanderings

As the orcas sought food and adventure in the waters of the pacific, so we sought peace and relaxation amongst the islands. We were without whales today, but our guests did not suffer for it. Capt. Nancy took the MV Sea Lion, guest naturalist Russell and me on a beautiful wildlife cruise under warm sunny skies.

Harbor seals with pups were on every corner and I lost count of all of the bald eagles that we saw. Mouflon sheep, along with sika and fallow deer, were all out on Spieden Island and the humped back and dorsal fins of harbor porpoises could be seen all around us. Even our tans were enhanced by the clean air, clear skies and golden reflections off of the calm waters.

At Turn Point on Stuart Island we were alerted of a peregrine falcon nest and fledgling, but were unfortunately unable to find them in the trees. Russell treated us to the stories behind some of the unusual homes found on the island though and I stunned the crowd when I told them about the one-room schoolhouse. The islands never cease to amaze and they rarely fail to impress. Such is life in this gem of the Pacific Northwest.

So, until the next time that you visit, thank you from all of us at San Juan Safaris and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Orcas near Anacortes

L-pod near Anacortes today! We left San Juan Island and headed toward Anacortes, once on scene we were able to identify a few individuals from L-pod. There was a lot of activity today, breaching, tail slapping and spy hopping. Everyone was very excited. We stayed with the orcas for about an hour and then some dense fog rolled in. The fog just added to the beauty of the day. On the way back to Friday Harbor we headed through Lopez Pass, this is a very scenic route. We saw a Bald eagle in the top of a tree on Lopez Island. We then stopped just for a few minutes to admire some Harbor seals and their pups. July has been such a great month, Orcas, Bald eagles and Harbor seal pups!!!

Naturalist Jeannette

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

From Canada to the Coal Docks

It may not sound glamorous, but the day we had today on the MV Sea Lion definitely was. Capt. Craig got us out the door in a hurry since the orcas were all the way up in Active Pass between Galiano and Mayne Islands. It was petal-to-the-metal the whole way and in two hours we were northeast of the pass, out in the Strait of Georgia and I could see splashing on the horizon. It was still several minutes before we got there, but the dorsal fins and breaches were obvious well before we were on scene.

The orcas were spread out traveling in ones and twos and they must have all had their Wheaties this morning. There was one breach after another off into the distance and we had just gotten into the mix of it when one big male launched himself clean out of the water 200 yards from us. Jaclyn and I guessed it was J27 "Blackberry", but he was moving quickly away and it was hard to get a good look at the saddle patch behind his dorsal fin.

There did not seem to be much feeding going on this afternoon, as all of the animals were travelling very quickly and we did not see the erratic behavior that we normally would. Obviously, there was some important event that they all had to get to since they took us across the strait towards the coal docks and Tsawwassen ferry dock and we finally had to bid them goodbye. They continued their rapid trek and we turned for home and made the long, but truly lovely journey back to Friday Harbor.

It was all water and whales today and a boat load of wonderful guests. So, from all of us here at San Juan Safaris, to all of you water babies out there, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

A whale watching guest comments - June 27, 2009

Comments: Just wanted to thank you guys for the wonderful whale watching trip on June 27th that me and my family went on.  The crew was fantastic and the whale viewing was great.  While we have our share of water down here in Louisiana, the boat trip and the scenery were more beautiful up there.  Thanks again. Paul Rivera Marrero LA

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Killer Whales near Victoria

We love days that start off with great sighting reports. The first sighting of the day- killer whales at Race Rocks, near Victoria, heading northeast. This was good news.

We loaded the boat, motored out of Friday Harbor and headed south toward Cattle Pass.
We had some fun sea conditions- small waves and some wind, just enough wind to get some of the more adventurous people a little wet.

As we headed to Race Rocks we got word that some orcas were just off Victoria. We headed to Victoria. What a beautiful city! We watched the orcas for over an hour. The orcas are just so amazing. We saw a couple very tall dorsal fins - some mature males.

On the way back most of the weather conditions had improved and we cruised across the Haro Strait. We viewed few Harbor seals and their pups. Harbor seals starting having their pups in the beginning of July, and they are so adorable. We also saw a few marine birds.

It’s always a great adventure in the San Juans with San Juan Safaris!!!

Naturalist Jeannette Miller

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Sunny San Juan Island -In the Rain Shadow

We are hot. Yes. Hot.
I have the fan. Did yesterday too.
Come enjoy this gorgeous weather and:
-Free live music at the port of Friday Harbor every Saturday
July 18 & 19 The Arts Fair - streets will be closed to pedistrian traffic only near the court house where the Art Show is located
-Free every Saturday The Farmers Market in the court house parking lot. Goodies ready to eat and fresh fruit and veggies for taking home.

It's all good.


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Spread out!

Welcome to the Pacific Northwest! We went from a sunny hot 4th of July weekend to a cool overcast/drizzly 60 degrees in a matter of days! After the weekend I forgot that I should always have my fleece hat with me.

It's been a rainy and cool couple of days, but no wind. And the wind is all I care about! I say that because both yesterday and today we had glassy waters, which as we all should know is the best for viewing wildlife, but especially whales!

Yesterday the 3 pods (J, K, L) of Killer Whales or Orcas returned from their quick stint in the Strait of Juan de Fuca for a truly spectacular day of whale watching!!! Monday...we knew where the pods were but they were out of range for our trips...so we instead had a wonderful trip to see Minke Whales, Bald Eagles, Seals, and Porpoise....not to mention touring through the San Juan Islands!!

My boyfriend makes fun of me for always saying..."oh my gosh" it was the best trip ever!! But really yesterday was the "best day ever"! All 3 pods of Orcas were back within reach! On the west side of San Juan Island travelling slowly, resting...grouped up and surfacing together. So peaceful and tranquil. We followed a group of them to the north last evening....Canadian Orcas as we like to joke when we cross into the Canadian Gulf Islands! Again a peaceful viewing experience. Unreal.

Fast forward to today. The Orcas have circled up and around the San Juan Islands...with one group coming south along the west side of San Juan Island, the other moving through Rosario Strait past the east side of Orcas Island and Lopez Island to meet up off the south end of San Juan Island. Again calm day out there...and now different behaviors than yesterday!

Quick paced, on the move, spread out...breaching! Awesome day once again! Our guests always ask...well you must see this everyday right? The answer is no! Everyday for us is a new day...the Orcas travel 100-200 miles a day if they want, they're moving where their food (salmon) are. They are wild and somewhat predictable in their travel patterns, and once we say that they go and prove us wrong by doing something unpredictable! Just goes to show you how with wild animals you never know what to expect! But either way it's sure to be a beautiful experience.

Signing off for the evening,
Jaclyn, naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Lectures At The Friday Harbor Whale Museum

The Whale Museum’s Lecture Series Continues
Wednesday July 15th at 7:00 pm.

Friday Harbor, WA -- The Whale Museum’s 2009 Lecture Series continues with a talk from

Michael Ford of NOAA

In his presentation entitled "Who’s dad?” DNA based paternity Analysis in Southern Resident killer whales", Michael Ford will be discussing the DNA parentage studies on the endangered Southern Resident orcas.

Michael Ford is Director of the Conservation Biology Program at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. He is also the acting Program Manager of the NWFSC's Marine Mammal Program. He received his B.S. in Biological Sciences from Stanford University and his Ph.D. in population genetics from Cornell University.

The July 15 lecture is free and open to the public, although donations are appreciated. For more information, call (360) 378-4710 ext. 23. The Whale Museum is located in Friday Harbor at 62 First St. N.

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Orca Super Pod

Orca Super pod

Southern Resident Killer Whales everywhere today… We saw a super pod all three pods: J,K and L, right off of Henry Island. It was amazing. At first they were a little spread out, and appeared to be fishing. Some orcas were very close to shore; some were slapping their flukes, maybe to stun the fish. The Southern Resident Orcas eat fish and they really seem to prefer Chinook salmon. They seemed to be working together. There were a couple big breaches and even some spy hopping. The orcas then began moving north, toward Stuart Island; it wasn’t till then that we realized we were witnessing a super pod. After moving off Henry Island they began to change their behavior, they seemed to synchronize their breathing and began moving closely together. They also slowed down. This behavior is known as logging or resting.

After leaving the orcas we headed to the Cactus Islands, they are north of San Juan Island. We spotted a couple bald eagles and some harbor seals with their pups. The pups are super cute. We also got some great views of Mouflon sheep on Spieden Island. And just when we thought our trip was over, the harbor porpoises showed up.

Another great trip with San Juan Safaris on the Sea Lion…

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

Ron Vedder Photo Contest from July 2 5:30 tour

A big thank you to Ron for all the great photos.

Tail Slapping


SIX Orca whales


Exhale

Take a peek


Flip out

Mama and baby


Fishing mama and baby


Off San Juan Island

Orca off San Juan Island Breach


Captain Nancy and Jaclyn,

Thanks again for a great cruise last Thursday evening. The whale watching was spectacular. I saw your blog on the website and noticed that you managed to get a picture of my wife and I sitting on the front bench. She is holding the binoculars on the port side and I have using the camera on the starboard side.

I took about 400 pictures on the cruise that will provide fantastic memories in the future. Attached to this e-mail are some of the more exciting pictures after I enlarged them.

I have a couple shots of the baby whale breaching as well as a couple of the larger ones. There are two photos that make the orcas look like they are lying flat on the water taking a nap. I get very luck and caught them just before the created the splash in the water after their breach.

I know they are elusive, but there is one shot of the nose of the harbor seal.
Exciting evening!!!!! Super memories!!!!! Fabulous photographs!!!!!!!!
We will definitely look you up if we find our way to San Juan Island again.

Enthusiastically,

Ron Vedderain

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Wild Whales

Just goes to show you that whales are wild animals. This is not a marine park nor an aquarium. The San Juan islands and their waterways are the home to many wildlife, all of which are constantly in flux trying to survive while evading predators and hunting for prey....and might

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Photo Contest Entry by Laura Simmons June 25, 2009

Laura Simmons sent these photo into us just yesterday.
Above two orca off the coast of San Juan Island

Here is an orca that looks like it may be doing a bit of
a breach.

Laura captured this photo of at least 5 orca whales.

Here is a great shot of an adolescent bald eagle flying.

A playful photo of a tail slap.

Thank you Laura for taking the time to send these in.
The staff just loved them.

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

4th of July with the Orcas!

What a great 4th of July! Friday Harbor is celebrating it's 100th Anniversary and we had a fabulous 4th of July parade to start the morning off! It was a hot sunny day....honestly I can't believe how warm it was...I almost could have jumped in our cool waters (temps in the low 50s) just to cool off! Well...maybe not.

Anyhow...once aboard the MV Sea Lion we were all comfortable with the cool air from the sea blowing in our face as we cruised around the south end of the island to meet up with the Killer Whales (Orcas). The whales were on the move northbound, and as it turns out we ended up circling the entire island on our quest to see them and then return to port. We met the Orcas off of the northwest side of San Juan Island. They were spread out moving in small groups...a little playing...one small calf breached (jumped) completely out of the water...twice!!

A few Orcas changed direction and foraged in the rips or currents where food (salmon) tends to collect. We experienced some of these currents ourselves as we went from flat calm waters to small 1-2 foot standing waves...the cause of this is the changing tides, and in some places the seas run opposite each other. Fascinating!

We continued north in order to sneak around the Orcas since time was short and we needed to get home. Unfortunately we had to witness one large private yacht violating the 100 yard rule while watching the whales. Here in Washington our 3 pods of Orcas are listed as Endangered, and one measure to help protect them is that all boats must stay at least 100 yards away from them at all times. That means no parking in their path, nor can you chase them from behind which this boat appeared to be doing. There are several stresses facing these whales and we do not want to further stress them or cause any changes in their usual behavior by crowding them. To learn more visit http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/ or the Whale Museum for details on boating around whales.

On our way back in we passed the Cactus Islands and we had the treat of seeing one of the first Harbor Seal pups of the season!! So cute! The little guy or girl was trying to scamper up on a slippery rock and couldn't quite climb up to mama. In the end the mother Harbor Seal slid into the water and the little pup climbed on her back! And in the tree above all this was a mature Bald Eagle! A double treat!

Just another fabulous day in the San Juans! Hope to see you here.

Thanks,
Jaclyn, naturalist

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

L-POD Orca Whale with Calf

L-Pod Orca Whales with Calf near False Bay

Today we traveled east out of Friday Harbor, then South and then up the west side… We got word that there were some resident orcas near False Bay on the west side of the island.

We encountered some of L-pod, the largest pod of the Southern Resident Killer Whales. We had some great views of L-pods new calf, L-112 and L-86, the mother. The calf is super cute.

We also had some great viewing time of other individuals from L-pod. After about an hour we headed to Long Island, just south of Lopez Island and saw four different Bald Eagles. We saw an immature Bald Eagle.Immature bald eagles do not have a white head and tail. They don’t actually get the white head and tail till their about four or five years old.

There was another adult eagle very close. We then saw two adult Bald Eagles right next to each other in a tree; these eagles were most likely a nesting pair. Bald eagles are monogamous birds and come back to their same nest every year.

We also saw some harbor seals swimming. On the way back to Friday Harbor we took a quick peek at Goose Island (on the south end of San Juan Island) and saw the elaborate nests of the double crested cormorants. A great warm day in the islands.

Naturalist Jeannette

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

More of Whales Gone Wild - photos 5:30 7/2/09

Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Whales Gone Wild!

Thought I'd take a moment to share with you all a little about our trip last night (Thursday 7/2). It was one of those perfect evenings that we in the whale watching world dream about!

It was unbelievably calm...glassy seas, extremely clear skies and lots of whales! The Southern Residents (killer whales) had met up earlier in the day to form a superpod, and while I was not out on the 1pm trip I was happy to discover that all three pods (J, K, L) were all still together when we encountered them on the west side of San Juan Island last evening! They were still traveling northbound at a slow pace....milling about....rolling over, tail slaps....a spyhop or breach from time to time.

It was so quiet out that you could hear the vocalizations of the Orcas from hydrophones' on nearby boats! We dropped ours in a few times and heard some great squeals and squeaks and whistles!

One of my favorite sounds is hearing the whales surface and just breath. The exhale of hot air through the blow hole, heard from one Orca and then another and another is indescribable.

A little later we had some nice looks at K21 (Cappuccino) and K40 (Raggedy) and another male Orca....then some very flirtatious activity between Raggedy and this other male. A little date? ...and then, as one guest described the mating behavior..."Whales Gone Wild!" I won't go into details hear, but we all got a good laugh out of that comment!

And so with that grand finale to our Orca viewing we motored on back towards Friday Harbor. The evening glow of the sun was perfect as we took a scenic tour through Mosquito Pass and past the busy port of Roche Harbor and back down through San Juan Channel.

Truly, another beautiful evening enjoying the serenity of the San Juan Islands!

Thanks-
-Jaclyn, naturalist

Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©
Photo added later by colleen of Captain Nancy and Marine Naturalist Jaclyn

Canada Here We Come!

The whales were proving that they are the dominant marine species today. While we were rocking and rolling through the waves and being whipped by the wind, the orcas were effortlessly swimming along through the Canadian Gulf Islands. After we took the MV Sea Lion out of the dock today we headed for Turn Point on Stuart Island. The last orca report that we had had said that they were already past Lime Kiln and were headed North. At Haro Strait we gave way to a huge ocean-going liner from China and then motored across the strait into Canadian waters where we met up with other whale and wildlife watching boats.

The sun was quite warm and helped to take the chill off when the salt spray from the waves would catch us unawares. As striking as the orcas are though, it was rare that we noticed anything other than their antics. Spyhops were abundant when we first saw the whales off of the coast of South Pender Island. While swimming across the opening of Plumper Sound the tail slaps and cartwheels started. It definitely seems as if J pod has an abundance of energy these days, as we have seen them several times this week and they have been very active each visit.

While Jeanette talked with guests on the front of the boat and I entertained at the back, Capt. Craig maneuvered us through the day and at Saturna Island turned us around and drove us back towards San Juan Island. We made a quick run past the Cactus Islands so that our guests could see bald eagles and harbor seals, and then over to Spieden Island to see some exotic deer and sheep. Finally, all of our sleepy kids (and adults) were ready to see Friday Harbor again and our day was wrapped up a relaxing cruise down San Juan Channel to home.

Our day was lovely, as were our guests. So, from all of us at San Juan Safaris to all of you island trippers, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

Fantabulous Orca Whale Watching

Hello Colleen -- Thank you very much. The whale watch was fantabulous -- we've whale watched all over the world, but this was just incredible.
I need to come back and will -- loved every minute of it.
I enjoyed the people on the trip almost as much as the wildlife! It was so exciting -- the Orca whales are very different from the humpbacks. Everything about the trip was spectacular -- particularly getting to meet you. Thank you for all of your help in every way. We're off to Victoria today. Best, Sheryl

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