Today we departed Friday Harbor having heard word a gray whale was passing right on through the San Juan Channel! This was exciting news, because not is it a relatively uncommon event to see a gray whale in the waters around the San Juan Islands, it is even more unusual for a gray whale to pass by Friday Harbor.
With extra time on our hands, we left the harbor, stopped on by O'Neill Island and saw some bald eagles and passed by Speiden Island to view some exotic deer and sheep...

Today was a great day; sunny and calm with a strong flood current pushing us north. With no reports of Orcas we headed north to East Point on Saturna Island to seek out Harbor Seals and Steller Sea Lions. When we flew passed three magnificent Steller Sea Lions swimming in the water, without any time for our passengers to take a look, I went into the wheelhouse to check in with the captain. Transient Orcas had been found even further north off of Mayne Island in the Strait of Georgia...

Today was a day you could not beat here in the San Juan Islands.  The sky was clear, the weather warm (for the Pacific Northwest) and the water was calm.  No one could seem to find orcas (remember, the world's largest dolphin) or whales today, but we had a lovely cruise around the San Juan and the Canadian Gulf Islands.  There were harbor seals, Steller's sea lions and harbor porpoises stretched to the horizon.  At boiling reef, which was rather odoriferous today, there were dozens...

I had an appointment off island yesterday and was observing folks, dogs, ferriess and cormorants at the Anacortes ferry landing.

Great weather yesterday, today too and suppose to be the same for tomorrow - Mother Days (you remembered her, right?)

Cormorants. Ya gotta love them.

I noticed SO MANY cormorants carrying sea weed and eel grass to their

nests perched on PILINGS!  Fits the bill perfectly (no pun intended, ok, maybe a little tiny pun)

This works even better than cliffs. Dependable. Uniform...

Capt. Mike and I saved the day aboard the M/V Sea Lion today.  There have been no orca sightings for several days despite all of the companies being out and scouring the watery countryside.  We were taking our place amongst them and heading out on a northwest wildlife tour when out of the blue, literally, popped an orca fin!  What, an orca fin?!  Yes, an orca fin!!  I, maintaining professionalism and decorum at all times, proceeded to run around the boat yelling and effusing.  San...

Environmentalists want investigation of toxic waste in Georgia Strait
Mark Hume
A coalition of Canadian and U.S. environmental groups have asked an international body to investigate allegations the federal government is allowing a Metro Vancouver sewage plant to regularly discharge toxic waste into Georgia Strait.
In a submission, nine groups ask the Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America to document “the failure of the Canadian government to adequately enforce...

Well, we did not find orcas, but we did find plenty of other cool creatures.  On a boat built for 50, we had 7 people, so it was like having a private tour.  The guests and captains and I were relaxed and open to any new experiences that might come our way.

In that light we decided to head farther northwest than we usually do when going on a wildlife tour.  We traveled up President's Channel and around Patos Island, a state marine park.  I got to tell everyone about the historic...

Here we are in the San Juan Safaris office overlooking Friday Harbor and another beautiful day.  The ceiling of rolling clouds let bursts of sunlight through before carrying them away to other honored spots.  Breezes are quiet, with just enough movement in the air to make the pennants and leaves flutter, and to encourage the birds to take to wing.  Orcas have been spotted in the area off-and-on this week and hopefully they will make an appearance for us today.  I am anxious to see...

5/5 Associated Press Washington transfers historic San Juan Island land by Associated Press OLYMPIA (AP) — The state Board of Natural Resources approved the transfer of 320 acres on San Juan Island to be included in the San Juan Island National Historic Park. The state land is adjacent to historic English Camp and includes a road used by British and American troops who jointly occupied the area until 1872. The Department of Natural Resources says the state will receive $3.1 million...

Garage Sale in West Seattle and buy their treasures to support Orca Network! 100% of the proceeds go to Orca Network.

7717 California Ave. SW. Seattle WA

Saturday May 8th, 9am - 3pm.