Kelly | M/V Osprey | Monday, August 4th 2025 | 2 PM
We made our way swiftly across San Juan Channel and into Presidents Channel aboard the M/V Osprey. We had a confirmed whale sighting reported by a member of the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) toward the east. As we made our way past the Lopez ferry terminal and into the heart of the San Juan's, we spotted many jumping pink salmon! We know that pink salmon runs here every other year, but this is a particularly abundant season. Nearly anywhere you look across the water, you can spot this slender silver bodies flopping in the air. Our first looks at these whales were around Strawberry Island (how cute!) off the coast of Cypress Island. This family of three was identified as the T19's and included:
- T019/Nootka/Mooyah — female, born before1965
- T019B/Galiano — male, born in 1995
- T019C/Spouter — male, born in 2001
We watched this family zig zag along Cypress's coastline, eventually stopping along its southern Shoreline for a harbor seal snack! This exciting hunt began with a distinct direction change, starting with mom (Nootka) and then the two boys following suit. Soon, the trio was circling the same area, occasionally throwing up a tail or surging at the surface, creating a large splash in the process. The hunt climaxed as the family chased the seal into the shallow water along one of Cypress' beaches. The whales were pushed into water so shallow, their dorsal fins weren't able to fully submerge! It was an exciting end to an unforgettable encounter.