Kelly | M/V Sea Lion | April 3rd, 2026 | 12:30pm
We dipped over the top of San Juan Island in our search for whales and other wildlife. Slipping into the Haro Strait from Spieden Channel, we pointed west and kept our eyes peeled in the distance for any blows or dorsal fins. While searching, we were treated to stunning views of the Olympic mountain range and San Juan's historic Lime Kiln Lighthouse. Soon, exhales appeared in the distance! A group of 5 whales including:
- T065B/Chunk — female, born in 1993
- T065B1/Birdsall — male, born in 2011
- T065B2/Nettle/Corvis — male, born in 2019
- T065B3/Rook — male, born in 2023
&
- T049A2/Jude — male, born in 2007
These whales were making their way north up the Haro Strait, staying close to San Juan Island's west shoreline. The T65b's lead the charge, always at least 50 or so yards ahead of the caboose: T049A2/Jude. What was Mister Jude doing trailing behind this family of 4? Perhaps he had ulterior motives and might be interested in the 31 year old matriarch of the family. Is this an unrequited love story playing out in real time? Stalker (we hope not) or maybe even something related to stealth and hunting efficiency? Turns out Jude (who is known to travel separate from his immediate family), was not that far from his mom and siblings after all. On our way back to home we were treated to a bonus group of whales just outside Friday Harbor! This Family to happened to be the remainder of the T49A's and included:
- T049A/Nan — female, born in 1986
- T049A3/Nat — male, born in 2011
- T049A4/Neptune — male, born in 2014
- T049A5/Nebula — female, born in 2017
- T049A6/Charlie II — male, born in 2022
- T049A7* — born in 2026
6 more whales! The star of the show was undeniably the new born calf T49A7 (not yet assigned a nickname). This is little squirrely calf was extra jumpy, launching almost its entire body out of the water with almost every surfacing, showing off that orange hue!
See photos from this tour here: https://sanjuansafaris.smugmug.com/4426-KK