Victoria, B.C. with orca and ship. Photo courtesy of Jeanne Hyde

What is the measure of a whale watching adventure?  Well, today it was distance.  Capt. Mike decided that our options were to go big or stay home and staying home was not actually an option.  So, venturing further than prudence dictates, we sought out the orcas beyond the visible limits of San Juan Island.  Beyond even the limits of Victoria, B.C.

The water was calm and the sun was shining and lucky us we were...

I know a fellow naturalist named JB, short for John Boyd, who likes to tease his niece; also an avid whale watch fan and naturalist. After a big day he says to her, "You should have been there." It's a way of saying, 'Boy did you ever miss out." And today was one of those days. I work 45 hours a week with about 26 of those on the boat, and this was by far the most amazing trip I've had in a month. There was a group of about 60 orcas, tightly knit, dorsal fin after dorsal fin...

[caption id="attachment_1415" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="MV Kittiwake with Breaching Whale by Ernie Westle"]

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The Kittiwake is our 32 foot boat. It is a plain boat, named after a plain seabird in the gull family. Accordingly, its values are often underestimated. The Kittiwake is my favorite boat because of its intimate atmosphere; we only book 13 people at a time. It is also our 'adults only' boat, so one is assured a peaceful ride. Despite the absence...

Yesterdays afternoon trip saw a little seen baleen whale - a minke. There are only about 18 minke whales in and around the islands. Our guests got very good looks at this whale in the afternoon both from the MV Sea Lion and the smaller MV Kittiwake.

Last evening on the 5;30 tour the resident orca whales were back in range and Captain Craig said they saw lots and lots of whales.  He thought possibly all 90 of them - not just in one spot of course.

This afternoon boat boats are again...

When is a baby orca not a baby?  When it has not been seen by the Center For Whale Research, that is when.  They are the research body officially in charge of monitoring the population of the Southern Resident Killer Whales that are found in the Pacific Northwest.  They maintain the matriarchal family trees and the population numbering system.  They are also the group that makes the official announcement when an individual dies or a new calf is born.  Today we are hoping it is the...

Rainbow Over San Juan Island by Bill Wright

A bit tardy, but we do see some wonderful rainbows here on San Juan Island

Wow, yet another beautiful whale filled day in the San Juans! This time of year it seems I could start every blog that way! The weather and the whales have fully cooperated and we've been blessed with fantastic trips for weeks and weeks on end!

Today I was aboard the Kittiwake with Captain Mike and a boatload of guests. We cruised southbound over toward False Bay. If you are a frequent reader of our blogs, this location will be of no surprise to you.

The Southern Resident orcas were...

Side Breach and Straight Ahead Orca Whale by Sosha Mathew

Lone Orca Whale Off San Juan Island at Sunset, by Sosha Mathew

Snoozing Seals and Gulls, by by Sosha Mathew

From our Sunday, August 1, 2010 Tour. These will be entered into our photo contest. Thanks Sosha!

The oldest member of the Southern Resident Community is named Granny. She is estimated to be a 100 years old. She is also the matriarch of J-pod. Her cohort is a 60 year old male named Ruffles. Ruffle's dorsal fin is 5 to 6 feet tall, a common measurement for adult males, as compared to the 2 to 3 foot tall dorsal fin of the average female. A juvenile male is indistinguishable from a female with the exception of their ventral markings. A small black dot on each side of the ventral...