Happy Whales to You....'Till We Meet Again....

It's over.  It's really, really over.  The last trips of our regular whale and wildlife watching trips are over.  October is full of more unsettled weather here in the Northwest and the beautiful sunny warm days disappear suddenly.  Now it's the soft grey of winter...and yes, rain.  Many days there is a bit of a break and luckily it's usually around the trip hours!  So, with the exception of the very last day...no need for the really waterproof gear.

T is for Transient orca

We have many days with Transient orcas hunting in the Salish Sea.  We often leave the dock without a definite whale report and then, magically with more eyes scanning the water, we enjoy the company of whales!

Transient female and youngster

Up for air!

This late season brings many Bald eagle sightings as they return from the rivers where salmon spaun and die, providing a wonderful feast.

Coming in for a landing!

The brids have changed to their winter outfits.  Here's a Heerman's gull sporting the bright orange beak and classy "shades of grey" feathers.  It's encouraging to see so many seabirds on the Salish Sea waters.

Even the Harbor seals we see look as if they are enjoying a comfy spot to settle for "a long winter nap."

My last look at whales this year ends with T-20 and T-21 cruising the Canadian side of Haro Strait on a grey and windy day.  See the tell tale notch on the top of this male's massive fin?  This pair is probably a sister and brother born in the 1960's.  It's my first look at them this season...and most likely my last.  2012 days on the water have come to a close!   It's been a fabulous whale watching season and my brain is full of snapshots of incredible memories of days spent with all the incredible wildlife that call the Salish Sea "home."