The amount of activity that we are seeing out of the orcas this season is amazing.  They seem far more acrobatic and aerially inclined than they were last year.  Of course that is undoubtedly just my generous heart making me see more than there really is, but I think it is spectacular.  Especially all of the aggressive feeding that we are able to watch day after day.  It suggests good things about the salmon run this year and means that all of our new moms will be well able to feed...

Today, although the clouds cooperated and cleared way for the sun to shine upon our faces, the wind decided it would continue to bluster all throughout the day. Ah well, we said, and crashed the M.V. Kittiwake through the waves. Onward to Canada, we sped!

The whales had been reported in 4-5 foot swells of the south end of San Juan Island mid-morning today. By the time we reached them on our afternoon trip they were already all the way to North Pender Island! North Pender is one of...

Big Slap! Wild Tail Slap by Judy Jacques

I am submitting three photos that I took the afternoon of July 12th while on the boat "Sea Lion".  It was a totally fabulous afternoon, a little choppy, but we saw lots of whale activity.  We actually had a whale come under our boat and breach up on the other side.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the whole breaching show, but did get a couple of nice shots of which I hope you will enjoy.  The other photo I am sending I thought was...

Big Slap! Wild Tail Slap by Herb Hartman

Marine Naturalist Ashley by Herb Hartman

Marine Naturalist Ashley by Herb Hartman

Four Orcas Fishing by Herb Hartman

Four Orcas Fishing by Herb Hartman

Solo Orca Whale by Herb Hartman

Solo Orca Whale by Herb Hartman

Three Traveling Orca Whales by Herb Hartman

Three Traveling Orca Whales by Herb Hartman

Today we ventured into Canadian waters, heading towards South Pender Island.  Our safari began when we spotted a Bald Eagle perched on a rocky outcropping near Spieden Island.  As Captain Mike slowed the Kittiwake, we noticed a harbor seal swimming with a small fish in its mouth!  The bull kelp swayed in the slow wake of our boat.  A 12 year old girl, with an affinity for marine wildlife, squealed when she spotted her first jellyfish.  We observed an enormous amount of activity...

Male Humpback Hawaii Herb

Head Lunge Hawaii Herb

One Orca Whale with Mountains by Herb

Saddle Patch of Orca Whale by Herb

Marine Naturalist Lauren of San Juan Safaris by Herb

Mature Bald Eagle in Flight by Herb

Mature Bald Eagle in a Tree by Herb

Sally and Casey Whale Watching Naturalists by Herb

Look for a Herbs photo of Mama Humpback carrying her baby on her rostrum (nose). Thanks Herb!

Well we are all becoming overly familiar with the Canadian waters these days.  Reports were in that once again the Orcas were near the coal docks but it was music to our ears to hear they were at least headed south our direction. It was a beautiful day for a boat ride so we didn't mind the extra time it took to reach the whales. The whales were spread out in many small groupings and very active. We saw many breaches and lots of tail slapping. It's always exciting to see but even more...

Sunday, July 18th, 2010 was an evening to remember.  The crew aboard the M/V Sea Lion never thought they would be so deeply touched in the presence of the orca whales.  We spotted at least 12 members of the L-pod traveling in small groups of 3-5 near Eagle Point.  The calm waters on the west side of San Juan Island made for perfect viewing conditions.  Adult and juvenile whales were hauling their large, glossy bodies out of the water left and right.  Breaching, spy hopping...

You could not ask for more out of the San Juan Islands than what we got today. Sun, sea and sightings all wrapped up in one stunningly beautiful package. The sea was a bit of a surprise today since we endured some bouncing around as we traveled up and around the north and west sides of San Juan Island. But the orcas were racing along and made for excellent photo specimens, plus the spray in our faces just reminded us of how lucky we were to be out on the water. When it was time to start back the...

As one of our naturalist Lauren mentioned yesterday the whales have been testing our reach lately and today was no different. This morning they cruised quickly up the west side of San Juan Island continuing to head north. By the time we headed out of the harbor the reports were saying they were at Turn Point off of Stuart Island. We finally caught up to them at North Pender Island in Canada. Other whale watch boats could be seen up ahead but before we made it that far one of our...