June 20, 2021

T049A Bigg's Killer Whale Matriline Outside Friday Harbor!

Abby | Kestrel | 6/20/2021 Captain Brian, Captain Eric, and I left Friday Harbor looking for the same matriline that we saw this morning. On the way, we saw some new harbor seal pups off Turn Island. Somehow, we had amazing luck right after this viewing, because some Bigg’s killer whales were right...Read more

June 20, 2021

Bigg's Killer Whales on the West Side

Abby | Kestrel | 6/20/2021 Once again, we had the A/B team, Abby (me!) and Captain Brian. We had already been out on the water prior to our trip, and rumors of orcas rang in our ears. Apparently, there were three Bigg’s killer whales near the Orcas Island ferry terminal dock, so we zoomed over in...Read more

June 17, 2021

21 Bigg's Killer Whales Traveling Together!

Abby | Kestrel | 6/17/2021 We zoomed north through San Juan Channel with whale reports looming on the west side of the island. Once we arrived just north of Lime Kiln State Park, there they were. 21 Bigg’s killer whales! Neither myself nor our captain Gabe have ever seen this many Bigg’s killer...Read more

June 4, 2021

Seven Bigg's Killer Whales Near Point Roberts!

Abby | Kestrel | 6/4/2021 We had a long journey northward through the Strait of Georgia, right next to the Canadian border. The sky was cloudy and orca vibes fluttered among the sparkling blue-green waters of the Salish Sea. When we arrived at the last known location of some unidentified Bigg’s...Read more

May 29, 2021

Three Humpback Whales on the Canadian Border!

Abby | Sea Lion | 5/29/2021 We set out on M/V Sea Lion. Or at least, we tried. At the lowest tide of the year (or more notably, the past few years), we began our reverse into some shallow water. With the wake from the ferry and hardly any depth, we motored forward and tried again. This time,...Read more

May 27, 2021

8 Bigg's Killer Whales by Lime Kiln State Park!

Abby | Kestrel | 5/27/2021 We suited up for our tour, the promise of a typical Washington drizzle looming off in the distance. The tide was at its lowest point, more so than I had ever seen, driving the crustaceans and nudibranchs lower on the pilings than they cared to travel. We set off on the...Read more

May 8, 2021

Sunset Spectacular with Transient Whales Near Friday Harbor

Jordan | M/V Sea Lion | 05/08/2021 |5:30pm Today was one of the most magical trips of the season! And perhaps, my career. It began just like any other day as Captain Pete and I gathered our guests and headed out of Friday Harbor. But, unlike a typical trip, it was a mere 2 minutes before we found...Read more

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