The heat wave here in the Pacific Northwest is starting to subside! It was the 2nd day in a row for me to wear shorts on the boat and not freeze! Can't say I can do that very often. I was out on our smaller vessel the Kittiwake with our 12 guests aboard for a little adventure this afternoon.
Rumors were that the Orcas were still west of us in the Strait of Juan de Fuca slowly making their way inbound. They were out of range when we left the dock but I had a good feeling they would be coming our way. We went north for fun to check out a few eagles nest and tour through the San Juans...knowing (and crossing our fingers) that we could meet up with them if they did get within our range...
The Bald Eagle chick on O'neill Island was perched on a branch just inches above the nest! Looks like it is getting ready to fledge if it hasn't already. The nest on the south side of Speiden still had its chick in it with an adult posted on a nearby branch. A little hot for grazing exotic game on Speiden...just a few Mouflon Sheep out on the south side.
Now it was about this time when we got the good word the Orcas were picking up the pace and inbound. Still in Canadian waters, south of Victoria but nonetheless coming our way. We sped off around the west side of San Juan Island through Haro Strait. Our guests were getting lucky today! A full tour around all of the island and an international trip! We met up with the "leaders" of this Orca train and paralleled them as they crossed Haro Strait towards False Bay on San Juan Island. Looked like they were enjoying the bit of waves & currents...almost surfing the waves and porpoising! I am quite positive that we were looking at K13 Skagit and her offspring: K20 Spock & her calf K38 Comet, K25 Scoter, K27 Deadhead, and K34 Cali. The great-grandmother (K11 Georgia) of 5-year-old Comet may have been there as well. This family group did spread out a bit as they travelled and we got a great look at K25 (an 18-year-old sprouter male) doing some fishing in a rip. His fin looked much like that of a shark as he quickly pursued his prey underwater! Behind this group was another large male and my guess is that it was L87 who may have a girlfriend in the group. He's been seen with K pod quite a bit in the last week or so! Maybe a new little calf will be born in another 16-17 months or so!
We were running low on time so we said goodbye to the Orcas and heading back towards Friday Harbor by way of Cattle Pass at the southern end of the island. Lots of birds out today! Just before Cattle Pass I did see 3 Common Murres sitting on the water!
Another enjoyable day with great guests and wildlife in the beautiful San Juans. Hope you're able to join us!
-Jaclyn, naturalist
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©