Kelly | M/V Kestrel | Monday, June 2nd 2025 | 2pm
Best humpback day of the year? I'll say it! We B-lined it for the reported location of 2 humpback whales in the Straight of Juan de Fuca. Taking a left outside Friday Harbor and heading south down San Juan Channel. We made a quick pit stop at Goose Island, covered in harbor seals, gulls and cormorants. Perfect glassy sea greeted us as we made our way in the Straight. The humpbacks had already been identified as Pop Tart and Sandstorm. After a few moments of anticipation, blows shot from the water! The two whales were circling the area side by side, likely feeding off the shallow banks near by. Typically, along their migration route humpbacks are solo travelers, we don't fully understand why humpbacks occasionally pair up like this. With every year that passes humpbacks sighted in pairs and even trios are increasing in the Salish Sea. After gorgeous looks at these humpbacks surfacing in the glassy calm water, we pointed toward the location of YET another humpback pair. Only this time we understood why the two were traveling together... this was a mom and calf! The mother was identified as Zig Zag, this new baby being her fourth calf. Humpback calf's get just one year (or one migration cycle) with mom and they are fully on their own, so this little one was 100% less that a year old, likely under 5 month. We watched the rambunctious baby roll at the surface and goof off while mom was on longer deep dives. For most of our humpback encounters today, we were able to shut the engine off hear the soothing sounds of their powerful exhales with each surface. It was truly a magical day spent with humpbacks!