San Juan Whale Watching

We left the dock this afternoon, knowing that J Pod, which had been up around the Fraser River in B.C., had turned to the south and was headed into our range! Great!

We decided, with the huge flood tide coming in, that we would head directly up toward the whales and hope they would continue to swim into the flood. By the time we reached Boundary Pass, they were headed slowly to the south and west, along Boundary. We had a great time watching J Pod, and part of L Pod as they worked their way against the flood tide. There were several special spy hops, a lot of foraging and traveling behavior, in family groups. J-1, Ruffles, was cruising the shoreling. Granny, J-2, gave a big spy hop along our side. We also were able to see J-27, Blackberry as he came swiftly swimming along. Although there was occassional rain, and cloudy skies, the water was calm, except for tide rips here and there, and the afternoon was absolutely magical. Time passed so fast, how could we have been with the whales for an hour! It’s hard to believe time is passing when you are watching such incredible animals. On our way home we made a stop by Flattop Island, wildlife reserve area, and were able to see Harbor seal moms and pups in the water all around us, two adult Bald eagles in the tree line, and another around the corner, as well as the beautiful little Pigeon Guillemonts as their red webbed feet pushed them around the water’s surface! Everyone seemed to enjoy the richness of the San Juan ecosystem that surrounded us all the way back to Friday Harbor!

Our evening trip tonight was with the Audubon Campers. The kids were in high spirts as they boarded the Western Prince II for a trip out to find the whales we had been with just hours before. The same intense flood tide kept the whales moving slowly to the west and south. On our way up to see them, we found five, (FIVE!!) juvenile or subadult Bald eagles on Big Cactus Island! And, there were three adult Bald eagles above them in the treeline. Harbor seal pups swam all around the boat as we floated in the channel, listening to the eagles call to one another. Yet, there were still whales to see, so on we traveled. We came across the whales, J-19 and family first, right where Spieden Channel joins Haro Strait. The whales were intent on traveling south, and yet there was foraging going on as well. Mike, J-26 did some excellent foraging well within our sight, and we watched his massive fin as he turned this way and then back the other way, and then, wow, a deep dive! Several other J pod whales came by and joined up with Mike. The kids were enthralled with the whale activity. A special evening, on the water with whales. How could it get any better?