Aly Liu | M/V Kestrel | Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 2:00 PM
M/V Kestrel cruised north up San Juan Channel and hung a left through Spieden Channel towards Canadian waters, as a recent report of cetaceans had caught our eyes. We passed the northwesternmost point of the continental U.S., Turn Point on Stuart Island, and stopped to do a thorough scan for wildlife by Moresby Island. This gave everyone the chance to actively be apart of a search team and put those new naturalist skills into practice! We eventually decided to head back south towards a second report that had active coverage; and sure enough, as we approached the west side of Henry Island, two massive dorsal fins cut through the surface of the water.
Male killer whales are lovingly referred to as “mama’s boys,” but these two are an anomaly to that axiom. These two brothers are frequently seen traveling separately from there mother Panthera and there three siblings, hence they are known as “the brothers.” This duo is also known for making laps around islands, which is exactly what they did at Henry Island today. They were even so bold and brave to continue their circumnavigation while swimming in 10 feet of water, something our boat would never dare attempt.
- T060D/Onca — male, born in 2004
- T060E/Lynx — male, born in 2008
We sent gratitude to these two Bigg’s killer whales and headed north to Sentinel Rock to get good looks at The Brother’s primary food source, the rock sausages (Harbor seals). However, the highlight of the day for Captain Brian and I were the two American kestrels on Sentinel Island! I had never seen a kestrel before, let alone while on a vessel named Kestrel!! How serendipitous.
Thanks so much to Onca, Lynx, and a truly wonderful group of passengers today who brought immense wonder and appreciation.
More information on the Pacific Whale Watch Association: https://www.pacificwhalewatchassociation.com/