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We headed south out of Friday Harbor this afternoon with word that there were killer whales around False Bay. On our way to the west side, we spotted a few harbor porpoises in the distance and some harbor seals poking their heads out of the water. Once at False Bay we caught a glimpse of three dorsal fins and some spouts, then there were six+ dorsal fins all coming up from underneath the glassy Salish Sea. It was J-pod. They were slowly traveling close to each other, nearly...

J pod porpoised north along the west coast of San Juan Island, as each breath exposed most of their flanks. Traveling at great speeds, the orcas manipulated the drag of water to propel their colossal bodies forward and out into the frictionless air. The pod was separated into smaller groups which were in tight formations. We identified Riptide (J-30) in the first trio and later saw a group of four which included Mike (J-26).
The excitement continued as we entered the narrow chutes of...

O Canadaaaa, you have the resident orcas in your waters and we are coming to see them!  North out of the harbor, past Yellow Island (hello, plump harbor seals!), along Spieden Island (any Mouflon sheep?), around Flattop Island, across to Waldron Island (shy harbor porpoises) and across the Haro Strait (and the US/Canadian border) to Saturna Island.  And what did we find?  The largest of the dolphin (odontocete) species: killer whales!

Upon arriving to the scene, passengers saw three...

Heading south out of Friday Harbor we turned on the speed and booked it towards Cattle Pass!  We first arrived on scene to a nice spread out pod of Orcas, looking to both our left and right there were orcas near and far!  They seemed to be traveling in a “zig-zag” pattern, which is notorious to feeding habits, so we dropped our hydrophone in to take a listen!  Sure enough they were “clicking” and vocalizing! We sat in silence and awe as we listened to the clicks get louder and louder...

Another beautiful day as we motored south down the San Juan Channel toward Cattle Pass.  It was slightly overcast but we could see Mt Baker standing tall to our east.  We stopped to look at a juvenile bald eagle sitting atop a rock otherwise covered with seals and had an "awwww" moment when a tiny seal pup surfaced behind his mom, looked at us with his big, brown eyes and then did a crazy little half breach dive.

We rounded Cattle Point and cruised west, toward False Bay.  In the...

Last night brought one of the nicest evening tours I can remember.  I decided to ride along as a passenger and try getting some pictures of Orcas.  As we cleared Cattle Pass we headed up the west side of San Juan Island looking for any members of the resident pods.  It didn't take long to see a blow, and then another, and another.  Stretching from shore to about a mile or so out were groups of fours and fives traveling mostly south.

The water was glassy flat and we were literally the...

Last evening I got out from behind the computer and went out on the whale watching tour that departs at 5:30.

We went out of Friday Harbor, then south down the east side of San Juan Island.

About 1 mile off the south west side of San Juan Island  there were many, MANY whales.

It was an exceptionally active bunch of whales that we viewed for about 40 minutes. The energy! Breach after breach. Slap after slap. Even the youngsters were getting into the act.

I have a new camera. A...

Southbound from Friday Harbor, we went in search of Pacific northwest wildlife. Along the way, we saw harbor porpoises just in the San Juan Channel north of the harbor.  A few harbor seals were spotted frolicking in the waves, perhaps foraging or playing.  As we rounded Henry Island along the northern end of San Juan Island, we headed south along the Haro Strait and began to see boats in the distance spread out over several miles.  Upon closer viewing, those boats happened to have...

There's a theory among whale watch captains that whales breach more when the waves are choppier.  Last night's trip was definite proof for that theory!

We left the harbor southbound, searching for our earlier super pod.  As we peeked out of the safety of the islands at Cattle Pass, the wind was blowing down from the Olympic Mountains, creating a fierce chop in the water.  As we traveled northwest, sea spray was blowing over the bow and the port side of the boat; everyone took shelter...

Our journey out of Friday Harbor started out a bit blustery and bumpy, but we soon discovered it did not scare off any of the wildlife!  Today’s trip was full of creatures from both the land and the sea! Eagles, harbor seals, harbor porpoise, and last but not least ORCAS! As we journeyed up and over to the west side of San Juan Island we discovered a large pod of 15+ killer whales in Haro Strait; all surfacing and traveling in perfect synchronization.  We believe this pod was made up...