There weren’t any Orca whales to be found on the 12th or 13th, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t whales out there. On Wednesday we found a group of 3 Minke whales out on the west side of San Juan Island. That was topped by a rare sighting (for this time of the year) of… Continue reading Whales & Wildlife Report – June 12 & 13, 2013
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Whales & Wildlife Report – June 10 & 11, 2013
Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day in the San Juan Islands. Orca whales turned out to be a bit elusive, but we were able to find an active group of Minke whales out on the west side of San Juan Island. Today, passengers on two of our boats had a great time watching a group… Continue reading Whales & Wildlife Report – June 10 & 11, 2013
It was sunny and warm with the whales today!
After leaving Bellingham in windy overcast conditions, the clouds parted over the islands. By the time we found J-Pod on the south end of San Juan, the wind had died to almost nothing, and the whales put in a heck of a show! Breaching, spy hopping, and tail slapping repeatedly throughout our time with them.… Continue reading It was sunny and warm with the whales today!
Fantastic views of J-Pod today!
We just arrived in Friday Harbor after some fantastic looks at J-pod on the southern end of San Juan Island. They were pretty spread out when we first arrived but we sat with a large male, J26, and watched him chase some fish. Then a female and calf joined in on the frenzy and the… Continue reading Fantastic views of J-Pod today!
Bird Watching Cruise Report – June 8, 2013
It is now late spring, and the resident birds of the Salish Sea are primarily focused on one activity now: nesting. Glaucous-winged Gulls have decorated many of the smaller islands and rocks with their twiggy cups. Pelagic Cormorants cram their nests into the narrowest of crannies and crevices on steep and inaccessible (to those lacking… Continue reading Bird Watching Cruise Report – June 8, 2013
Bird Watching Cruise Report – May 25, 2013
Harlequin Ducks were certainly one of the star birds this week, with no fewer than thirty-six spotted at three different sites, far more than we have typically been encountering on our bird cruises, although we have seen at least a few on every trip so far. The largest concentration was in the vicinity of Chuckanut… Continue reading Bird Watching Cruise Report – May 25, 2013
Had a great look at 4 Minke Whales!
We just left the Salmon Bank area after some incredible viewing of 4 Minke Whales! They were feeding all around the boat and surfaced right next to us several times. Best of all, the seas were flat and it wasn’t raining.
Whales & Wildlife Report – May 23 & 24, 2013
The past two days we have taken school groups from throughout Western Washington on whale watching field trips aboard the Victoria Star 2. We were thrilled to find a Humpback whale (BCY-0324) on Thursday off Lime Kiln Park, on the west side of San Juan Island. Then on Friday we spotted a group of 6… Continue reading Whales & Wildlife Report – May 23 & 24, 2013
San Juan Explorer 3-Day San Juan Islands Cruise June 10-12
Are you looking for a fun, scenic, multi-day trip exploring the San Juan Islands? If so, we’d love to have you aboard for our 3-day, 2-night San Juan Explorer tour, happening June 10-12. Cruise the pristine waters and narrow passageways aboard the Viking Star, view Orca whales and other wildlife, talk with our knowledgeable captain… Continue reading San Juan Explorer 3-Day San Juan Islands Cruise June 10-12
Bird Watching Cruise Report – May 18, 2013
The early morning weather seemed a little ominous, but luck was on our side and the rain stopped shortly before our departure, and (mostly) stayed away for the duration of the cruise. Birds were plentiful as usual, with all the “core” breeding and resident species of the Salish Sea observed in plentiful numbers. Pigeon Guillemots… Continue reading Bird Watching Cruise Report – May 18, 2013
