Got Fish?

Look closely!  I bet you can see it!  That tiny little fluke, poking up next to big brother or uncle's fin?
Today we are graced with the Southern Resident Orca whales presence as a mixed group of K and L family slide up the westside of San Juan Island in the sunshine and flat water.  What a day!

Fin 'n Fluke

It's always amazing to me how wildlife has a way of attracting everyone's rapt attention.  The voices are in awe, the cameras click off frames of digital memories and the questions pop.  That's one of the most pleasurable things about the job of marine naturalist on a whale watch / wildlife boat.  The questions!  Any teacher will tell you that when someone really wants to learn and has a question...that's the best an educational experience has to offer.  Even if you don't have the instant answer, and have to think about it a little bit...it's the best!  So it goes today.

SRKW female headed north

Family Time

It's always amazing to see such a jumble of fins mixed together seemingly moving in perfect sync with each other.  Doesn't anyone ever say, "Hey...move over!"?

Tucker the Whale Dog

What will Tucker find today with his super nose sniffing techniques?  Tucker works for the Center for Conservation Biology and is a big winner at locating whale poop in the water.  Once collected and sent to the lab, lots of information is recorded about the individual whale who provided the valuable sample.  Tucker's reward?  A few tosses of the coveted ball!  (this one's on an elastic band so it doesn't go off into the great blue beyond)  His work for the season is almost over.

Picking Up Speed

Our time with the whales comes to an end, but the trip is not over until we turn up some more incredible wildlife on our way back to Friday Harbor.  Eagles anyone?

Watching

Talk about an "eagle eye," this bird is focused on something other than our boat full of admirers.  Silent and still, he / she has perserverence.  It's easy to imagine the efficiency of that hooked beak!  What a tool!

Hello Harbor Seals!

Back among the Cactus Islands (yes, cactus...here in the San Juans) we find a local Harbor seal hang out.  They are alert to our arrival, but stay put.  Gotta catch a nap sometime!

Steller Boys 

Headed for Groceries?

Our last stop is for a group of two Steller sealions...that turned into a group of four or five!  These amazing sealions prowl the San Juans all winter looking for food.  I've seen them tossing salmon into the air, gulping down large skates or rays and with octopus hanging out of their mouths.  What's on the grocery list for today?  Hard to say!