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| J pod headed north! |
What great news comes in....J pod is headed for the west side of San Juan Island! This is their second appearance in May and we can't wait to see them....all of them! Of the 25 whales in this family, one of the most "famous" is J-2, Granny. With an estimated birth year of 1911, she is the oldest whale in the Southern Resident family. I want to swim like Granny when I'm 102 years wise!
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| Three Southern Resident Orca whales cruise up the shore. |
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| Who is that alongside mom? |
From the very old to the very young this is a great group. In August of 2012, J-37 gave birth to J-49. It's always fun to watch active Orca calves as they race next to adults or figure out how to do cool things, like breach or tail slap. Once they get the hang of it, there's no stopping them. Maybe like a kid on a trampoline?
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| Limekiln lighthouse at Limekiln State Park SJI |
The lighthouse on the west side of San Juan Island is a favorite with people, and Orca whales. There is a tempting patch of kelp by the rocky shore and it appears to be an Orca version of a playground. A game of "Fish Hide and Seek" in the kelp forest? Maybe!
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| It's all about "family".... |
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| Game = Drag the Kelp! |
Accidental? Or on purpose? If you are an Orca..adorning a fin with kelp fronds can be stylish...or goofy...or maybe just a passing fancy.
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| Adult Bald eagle |
Spotting Bald eagles from a distance can seem like quite a feat. After all....there is so much greenery...so one eagle head is pretty small in comparison. I tell folks to "Look high in a tree, for a golf ball, where a golf ball shouldn't be!" Sure enough! As we get closer the adult Bald eagle comes into view.
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| Bald eagle IN the nest! Look to the left by the branch! |
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| Flipper to flipper....buddies |
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| Snoozing Harbor seals |
On the way back to Friday Harbor we find Harbor seals hauled out around the Cactus Islands and....one last Steller sea lion! He must have missed departure date of May 15th....will he catch up? Time to head for the breeding colonies!
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| Steller sea lion |
And a quick look at Canada geese on the shore of Spieden Island....there are two chicks...but one is hiding behind mom or dad.
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| Hungry chick...one of two...what happend to the others? Uh oh. |
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