Lauren | M/V Osprey | Saturday, April 26th | 12:30 PM
Today’s tour was a testament of how much can change in an instant in the world of watching whales. Out here we are at the will of the wildlife, and although we prefer it that way, the whales have a funny way of humbling us humans and our plans.
We left the dock with a report of two Bigg’s Killer Whales by Moresby Island. Moresby Island is a Canadian Island located just northwest of Turn Point Lighthouse on Stuart Island. Turn Point is famously deemed the most Northwest Point in the continental United States. Why is this relevant? This means these whales were FAR from Friday Harbor. With this being the only firm whale report in range, we made the decision to try and catch up to these whales. The race against the clock was on! Our hope was that the whales would buy us some time. We crossed our fingers that they would turn east into Boundary Pass, or that they would stall out on a hunt. Of course neither of these things happened. Instead the whales continued into Plumper Sound, heading further north into Canada.
The M/V Osprey putt-putted north without stopping for a whopping hour and 45 minutes! Finally we started to see fellow whale watchers in the distance.. We were getting close. Although we don’t play favorites around here, and would have made the trek for any Bigg’s Killer Whale… Our accomplishment felt that much sweeter knowing what whales lie ahead. The two whales in the distance were none other than T063/Chainsaw and his presumed mother T065/Whidby II. Chainsaw is a local legend around here, known for his insanely recognizable dorsal fin that looks like it's been hacked with a… you guessed it… Chainsaw! We observed these whales as they cruised through the iconic Active Pass. In my five years with the company, I have never once taken the M/V Osprey through Active Pass, proof of how truly far we traveled. As the whales headed for the Strait of Georgia, we doubled back down the pass. The pass was truly active, full of Bonaparte's Gulls, a raft of Steller’s Sea Lions and several bald eagles! We made our way back to Friday Harbor with not a minute left to spare!