What a Difference a Day Makes...

Yesterday it's the excitement of  Resident orca whales turning up with no hint of being anywhere near.  Today, the Residents are on their way back out the Strait of Juan de Fuca, 75 miles to the open Pacific...or maybe the Oregon or California shoreline?  The Residents may be out of our area, but before we are 10 minutes into our trip today, there is a sighting of Transient orcas reported by a boat to the north.

T65A family....all 5 of them!

We calculate the fastest route.  There are three route choices and all of them could be the best choice or the worst choice...it all depends on what route the whales choose!  How to predict the choice an orca will make?  That is the question.  Just think like a whale...that's all.

We choose to head north up Plumper Sound, enter Active Pass from the west side, transit to the east entrance and hope the whales are either still there or are moving south.  Half way through our transit of the pass, we look ahead to see...whale watching boats coming our way!  And...yes, the T65 family of transient orcas travels toward us too.  Look who is number two in the line up!  It's the newest member of this family, T65A5.  This little whale was first spotted in our area on March 27, 2014.

T65A5 follows mom

It definitely feels like we made the right choice, as now we turn around and follow this group of five whales back on the route we just took to get here.  What a zippy little orca mom has to contend with...24/7!

Turning past our boat and heading down the channel, these two siblings are off in race mode.  

 It almost appears to be a high speed chase...but after what?  Prey?  Or maybe each other?!

 We get a good look at all the family members, but I'm pretty sure if it was possible to do an
"applause survey"....little T65A5 would be the winner of the day.  That little whale just popped up everywhere!

Because we continue to move toward Friday Harbor the entire time we are with the orcas, we have time for a few stops on the way home.  Take a look at this magnificent adult Bald eagle...making a bit of a flap on the highest branch around!

It's always fun to spot Harbor seals as they blend into their surroundings.  What a perfect grey spotted outfit for being "one with the rock."

The Steller sea lions are so buff and big they don't depend much on "blending"....here's one that's been branded as a youngster.  I'll send this photo off to the folks who are researching the whereabouts of these massive sea lions.

Oh number 183R...where have you been lately?  We know where you are on May 10, 2014!

Here are two more of his buddies...or maybe they are not buddies...but definitely partners in crime.  Take a look at Mr. Big.. Mouth...and Head!

Yep, a game of "I Spy" you do not want to play with this fellow...especially if you are the salmon...or the octopus...or the skate...that is trying to escape...such a big mouth!