Written by Alison
on Sep 08, 2026

Smoosh Face and Family

Smoosh Face and Family

August 20 2026 AM – Today we left the dock with a report of Orcas to the south. We headed out with our first stop just at the Bull Kelp beds just off Turn Island. We got a few glimpses of our new visitor to the San Juan Islands this summer, a Sea Otter. It was all wrapped up in the kelp taking a nap. From there we only had to go a very short distance before we encountered the T49A’s. This family group of whales included the 40 year old mother, Nan, her sons, 15 year old Nat, 12 year old Neptune, 4 year old Smoosh Face, daughter 9 year old Nebula and the youngest member of the family Nimbus who was born this spring! They traveled north up San Juan Channel, passing Friday Harbor then headed to the Shaw Island shoreline looking for seals. Eventually it was time to leave the whales and see what else we could find. Since we did not have to go far at all for whales we had lots of time to check out the Cactus Islands where we found Harbor Seals and Bald Eagles. From there we ventured up into Boundary Pass and then Captain JB lined us up for the perfect Turn Point Lighthouse / Mt. Baker shot! On the way back we cruised along the south side of Spieden Island and found Fallow Deer, Mouflon Rams, more Harbor Seals and caught a Bald Eagle in flight. Another amazing day in this amazing place.

Photographer and Naturalist: Alison Engle – Instagram: @AlisonEngleArt – Website: www.AlisonEngle.com – Instagram: @WesternPrinceWildlife – Facebook: Western Prince Whale Watching Adventures

Written by Alison
on Sep 08, 2026

Smoosh Face and Family

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