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Captains Log - September 2005
If you have been on one of our tours, we would love to hear from you. Please give: date, tour time, what you saw. If you have photos send them. They could be placed on this page and could win our Photo Contest. One winner for kayaking and one winner for whale watching by boat
September 29, 2005 Thursday The afternoon whale watching boat saw a gray whale that has been hanging about in the islands for the past couple months. Murres, Murlets, Pigeon Guillemots were about with our usual fall sea birds says Naturalist Derin Ross. It was rainy today and about 50 degrees.
September 28, 2005 Wednesday Today our tours saw hundreds of both Dalls porpoise and Harbor Porpoise. There were even two Dalls riding the bow wake of an enormous freigher. The porpoise were very active and had our boat surrounded. It was about 65 degrees and quite foggy.
September 27, 2005 Tuesday Today Captain Brian Goodremont reports that both of our whale watching boats are seeing the "L2" group of Orca Whales right outside of Roche Harbor. He says L2, L67, L78, L88 and L101 were forging and breaching on the South end of Henry Island. They meandered up north a bit to Stuart Island. L67 is the mother of the now famous Luna, who continues his stay up in Canada. The tours also saw 4 Dalls porpoise, Common Murres, Gulls and Cormorants. Mostly sunny today around 65 degrees. You otter be on the water.
Setember 26, 2005 Monday Captain Brian Pouillion reports that the J and K's were out on the North West Side of San Juan Island near Roche Harbor. He says the tour saw the usual sea birds and the day was gorgeous, around 65 degrees.
September 25, 2005 Sunday Our afternoon tour saw L Pod on the West side of San Juan Island, spread between Lime Kiln south to False Bay early in the our, then from False Bay to the southern most part of San Juan Island in the afternoon. The whales meandered searching for salmon amongst the fishing boats. There was also a number of breaches observed.
September 24, 2005 Saturday Naturalist Deborah Friedback said that on her morning kayaking tour today "they saw tons of orca whales"! Her guests were so thrilled. There were orca whales everywhere and lots of them. Our 9:00 morning charter saw all the same whales in the same locale - North end of San Juan Island near Roche Harbor. The 11:00 and 1:00 whale watching boat also saw lots of orca whales today too.
September 22, 2005 Thursday Naturalist Sarah Hardee reports that the Gray Whale (endearingly called Freddy) was busy sifting muck, but one time when he came up for air, hesitated, SPY HOPPED, looked real good at our boat before going back down. Then Sarah says they were watching a river otter with a nice big fish. Down swooped a Bald Eagle and STOLE the fish! The poor River Otter kept looking all around trying to figure out what just happened.
September 21, 2005 Wednesday Captain Cal reports that the 1:00 tour saw ALL 90 whales,( a SUPER POD) including the L-12's! They were down at the southern most part of San Juan Island when they say them around 2:00 PM. Captain Cal also said they saw several big Stellar Sea Lions. He shut down the boat and a couple of them were swimming right near the Sea Hawk.
It is another beautiful day around 65 degrees and suppose to stay that way for several more days. It is great living in a Rain Shadow.
September 20, 2005 Tuesday Naturalist Eric Dinkel (aka Dink) reported today that their afternoon whale watching tours saw J, K &L (AGAIN) all the whales except the L-12 group, up north. He said that L-57 Faith, a 27 year old male, came right up to boat-parallel and he had the best look at an entire whale than he had all season long. "You could really tell how big he was right along the boat". There were about 80 whales total. One Orca came up with a fish in its mouth. The also saw (no so common)Murres, murrelets, Turkey Vulture and even a couple Flickers as they were leaving the harbor. Also seen Harbor Porpoise and seals. It is about 65 today with blue, blue skies.
September 19, 2005 Monday Naturalist/Avid Birder Eric Dinkel reported today that the afternoon whale watching tour same "Fantastic, Awesome, Magnificent Whales" today. They saw J, K AND L pods, but Eric said he was not certain that they saw all 90 whales. If that wasn't enough, the tour also saw Marbeled Murlettes, Pigeon Guillimots, Rhinocerous Aucklets, Maganificent Murres (Eric says AKA Common), Stellar Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and Harbor Seals. He had enthusiastic and bird loving guests aboard.
September 17, 2005 Saturday Naturalist Amy Molsberry reported that on her 3 hour kayak today this afternoon, she and her guests were 'swarmed' by orca whales. They were long the west coast of Henry Island. Amy said that they were rafted up (holding each others boats) when the first set of Orca came by. She then had her group start paddling toward land when she realized another group had turned and was now about to go in front of them. They rafted up again. Then, when she was about to start out again, another group turn 180 degrees and came right in front of them again!. Our 11:00 and 1:00 boats both saw whales today.
September 16, 2005 Friday Both boat tours saw orca whales today. Naturalist Sarah Hardy reported that on her tour they went to the southern most point of the island and when they left the whales they were at False Bay. She said that they saw most of the L pod. The whales were mostly feeding. They also saw Dall porpoise, which were playing or bow riding on the boat wake and they saw lots and lots of Harbor Porpoise. We do occationaly see Harbor Porpoise, so seeing so many of them was quite unusual. The tour also saw Stellar Sea Lions swimming around, Harbor Seals, a Bald Eagle on Turn Island, many Red Neck Phaloropes, Common Murres and Cormorants.
September 15, 2005 Thursday Today both 11:00 and 1:00 saw the orca whales. Captain Brian Goodremont reports that the 1:00 whale watching boat saw almost all of L pod. He says they were foraging. They were by the southern most part off of San Juan Island near Cattle Pass. Captain Brian also said they saw thousands of Common Murres, Harbor Porpoise, Dall Porpoise, Stellar Sea Lions and a Bald Eagle.
September 14, 2005 Wednesday The Whale Watching Tours today all saw Orca Whales. The morning boat saw J, K and L-57 &some of the other L's. They were resting up north in Boundary Pass. Captain Brian Goodremont thought that there was some romance going on between L-57 and someone in J pod. The afternoon whale watching boat found them off Stuart Island. By that time they were full awake and breaching and tail slapping.
September 9 - ? Bill and I will be out of the office for a few days, so if you are hooked on the Captains Log, check back. By the end of next week I'll be putting up what went on and where.
September 8, 2005 Thursday You will not believe this one. Today, both 11:00 and 1:00 whale watching boats saw two HUMPBACK Whales AND a Super Pod (J, K and L pods!). They were watching the whales off the southern most part of San Juan Island. The guests and Naturalists were just crazed with excitement! The weather is gorgeous - about 75, blue skies with a few puffy white clouds. Wish you were here?
September 7, 2005 Wednesday We were one of the few boats out on the water today. We did see Orca Whales.
September 6, 2005 Tuesday First, a quick LUNA update. The 90th whale in the Southern Resident population who is currently living in Nootka Sound, Canada. Luna has been seen following tugs. He only follows to a certain point, then drops back. He has also been see riding the bow wake of tugs. He seems to have a favorite dock at the log sort. Luna also follows private boaters. It is a problem. He has a Guardian Boat to keep boaters away from him. He still wishes to interact with boats and humans.
For more information about Luna
OK Todays Whale Report: The 1:00 Whale Watching boat just returned and they saw J, K and parts of L pods west in Haro Strait south of San Juan Island. Naturalist Sarah Hardee reports that a guest on board had adopted the whale Polaris. Today, Polaris and four other whales came right up to the boat! Sarah also says they saw a Stellar Sea Lion, Porpoise, Murres, Aucklets, Bald Eagle and more.
September 5, 2005 Monday Captain Peter Albert reports that the whale watching boat tour today was out in Haro Strait south west of San Juan Island. He says that the whales were mostly in feeding mode, but there were a couple of breaches, spy hops and tail slaps. Captain Peter also said that the tour then went toward Goose Island where they saw a Minke Whale. The boat then went off South Beach where they saw another Minke Whale. The usual birds were seen, Eagle, aucklets, glaucous wing gulls, cormorants, etc.
September 4, 2005 Sunday Today the Whale Watching boats saw a Gray Whale off Lopez Island. The tours also saw Bald Eagles, Stellar Sea Lions, lots of Sea Birds. Despite erroreous weather information, it was mostly sunny most of the day here in the islands. Of course. We are in the RAIN SHADOW. There were a few sprinkles around noon and then again around 4:00 PM. Over all it was a beautiful week-end.
September 2, 2005 Friday Naturalist Derin Ross reports that on todays tour they were with J pod off Henry Island (near Roche Harbor) on the north end. They slowly moved north and were near Stuart Island when Derin says she ID'd L-57. There were some other of L pod members there as well. Our morning 3 hour Kayaking tour saw J pod. The Orca Search by Kayak Tour also saw J pod.
September 1, 2005 Thursday The whale watching boat saw a gray whale today. The tour then traveled on and saw Stellar Sea Lions, lot of Harbor Seals and lots of sea birds.
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Some of San Juan Safaris Summer of 2005 Staff - What a great summer it has been
September 23, 2005 Outdoor Adventures
RV ers on their way to a super day with Orca Whales. They saw L pod.
September 21, 2005 These guests all saw a SUPER POD! (all 90 orca whales) They were down on the southern most part of San Juan Island today. They also got to see several Stellar Sea Lions (about 1500 lbs each!), plus Seals and sea birds. Are we still seeing whales in September? You bet! Is the weather still holding? It was gorgeous and 65 degrees today.
Whale Watching September 8, 2005 Super Pod &2 Humpback Whales!
Captain Peter Albert gives a safety &lay of the land talk before departing today on the 1:00 whale watching boat that departs from Friday Harbor. September 5, 2005.
Guest on the Nature Tour by Kayak 3 hr - Claudia &Tom Drake Sept 1, 2005
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