A couple more beautiful days on the water here in the San Juans! Last evening, on our sunset tour as Capt. Craig had hoped for, we were treated to a superpod. The Orcas of J, K, L pods had all convened in Haro Strait. There were whales spread out in small groups generally heading north when we arrived on scene. They did an 'about face' and in large groups moved south till they all had met in 2 large groups. Our guests were in awe as we watched this mass of Orcas all swimming together to meet up and have a whale party! There were a few breaches, tail slaps, rollovers with a pec slap and then the grand finale....the pink sea snake! It was quite a show for all of us! We waved goodbye as they continued on to the south and we headed home.
This morning we were in search of this superpod, but received word they were out of our range. So instead, we focused on scouting the waters for the black dorsal fins of Transient Orcas. These killer whales feed on marine mammals, including our harbor seals and porpoises. It was one of the calmest days in Haro Strait....glassy and smooth. We were lucky to find a few harbor porpoise out swimming. Then a huge bait ball! Tons of birds...common murres, rhinoceros auklets, cormorants, heermann's gulls, glaucous-winged gulls. What a site! No minke whales amongst this feeding frenzy however. This trip was complete with a harbor seal that surfaced trying to stuff an entire salmon in its mouth! An incredible task, but well accomplished, with just a few gulls out for scraps.
This afternoon, another boat had spotted the Transient Orcas! We had a feeling they must be out somewhere, with the Residents miles and miles away. Generally when the fish-eating (resident) Orcas of J, K, L pods are out of range, then there are mammal-hunting (transient) Orcas in the neighborhood. Sure enough! Known as the T19s this group was out in Canadian waters. When we arrived they were "resting" (the term used for Orca sleep). Slow synchronized dives in a tight knit group. As they neared some rocks the small group split up, circling around and around. There were a lot of harbor seals resting just above the water's edge as well as a few unsuspecting seals in the water. If they did indeed feed, then they were quite graceful about it because we never noticed any sudden dives or charges below to grab a seal. The transients then continued on their way, back in a tight group hugging the shoreline. What a great day...and my first encounter with Transients of the season!
-Jaclyn Van Bourgondien, naturalist
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