October days offer surprises!  The weather can be a picture perfect of the grey and misty Pacific Northwest….OR…exactly the opposite…with warm autumn sunshine bathing the islands, water and wildlife in bright morning light or golden glow.

The last two weeks have been outstanding in variety of animals, birds and weather.  Even the exotic game animals on Spieden Island have been easy to see…clustered in the open grassy areas on Spieden Island.

Humpback whales!  How amazing it is to see these massive whales, slowly cruising our local waters…in no hurry it seems.  Hasn’t anyone reminded them of the long migration ahead?  Appearently it’s of no consequence.  We have seen both individual adult whales and adult and juvenile pairs.  The numbers of Humpbacks have increased in the past 10 years, and I can imagine a time when we may see many more!

Orca whales!  Yes!  Both Transient and Resident Orcas have been in and out…out and in…many days during October.  Some days we have found J pod….and then J and K pod…oh, wait…sometimes all three pods!  This time of year I think I have more casual encounters….yes, always on the look out for salmon….but more time for socializing.

The Steller sealions have been growing in numbers and now show up at the north end of San Juan Channel often.  One day we  a large group surprise us, all gathered around the edge of the rocky shore…waiting turns for being the king of the shore?  So many!  Another day a California sealion lunges among a group of three big Stellers…all out on a group shopping trip in Spieden Channel?

A Harbor seal with a huge salmon “in mouth”…migrating Bonaparte gulls in winter plumage….Dall porpoise, Harbor porpoise, adult Bald eagles….I make entries for each sighting in the wildlife logof The Western Prince.

I know I’m going to hate to see it end!  The last few trips are just days away….then we’ll tie the lines for the last time this season, button up the boat, walk up the dock…and begin the “winter wait.”

Waiting for a new season….with so many incredible memories to tide us through!