Morning Light....Just Right

No Orca report this early morning as we head off into San Juan Channel.  We are one of the first boats out today.  Orcas were everywhere yesterday!  So, today?  Our course is set to the north and all eyes scan the horizon.  As we slow to look at Harbor seals at Yellow Island news comes in!  Orcas are around....but in the opposite direction.  Captain Pete turns the wheel and we are off for Rosario Strait.  It's a long run to the other side of the San Juans, but the morning light is just right and the breeze almost warm.  The water is so flat today it's easy to spot the tall black dorsals as they glide through the water.  Yes!  Two big males, J-34, Doublestuf and L-87, Onyx are off doing boy things.  What are whale boy things you ask?  Oh, pushing around flukes with huge whale rostrums.  Or, waving a gigantic curled fluke just above the surface with a nice half twist.  Hum.  Right on the other boy's head?  Maybe a whale version of wresting?  Along glide three smaller dorsals belonging to two J pod females and a youngster following along with mom.  Again, the light is just right, bouncing a few sun rays off the blowhole area.  Awesome morning on the water!

Spectacular Saturday in the San Juans

What a spectactular day on the water!  We find J pod on the westside of San Juan Island, moving north.  Today the family is moving along in two groups and we have the chance to spend time with both groups!  Although there is a lot of traveling behavior, there must also be some fish around as there are several turn arounds and lots of tail slapping today. We cut out to go around  the 1/2 mile no boat zone in front of Limekiln lighthouse and the whales put on speed.  Both boat and Orcas arrive at Andrews Bay about the same time. The second group has both J-27, Blackberry, and J-34, Doublestuf crusing along together.  The massive black fins appear and  then disappear below the surface. After an hour of magic whale time...that's time that you don't realize is even passing...we must wait for the whales to swim past us and on toward Canada, before we turn to head back around San Juan Island.

Turning to head back we have time to stop at Spieden Island for a look at a very happy harbor seal. Note the smile?

There are a few other stars waiting to have their turn on the wildlife cruise stage...Mr. Bald eagle is surveying the water's surface in hopes of an early dinner, while the Mouflon rams are spending the afternoon hanging out in the open meadow and along the rocky shore.

The rain, drizzle and mist held off until we were once again tied off to the dock at the Port of Friday Harbor.  What a spectacular day on the water!