The T100’s at Patos Island Lighthouse on 6/24/26 by Lincoln Humphry
T30 A&C Sequoia and Salix on 6/22/26 In Rosario Strait by Leo Solomon
July 20 -Naturalist Lauren
We made a grand lap through a lot of the islands today. We started out going north over the top of Orcas Island, stopping to see some sleepy sea lions on a channel marker. We heard of some promising reports we wanted to check on near Stuart Island. As we approached the most northwest islands of the San Juans, 20 foot towering blows directed our attention to Zephyr (BCZ0414) and Scratchy (BCY1022), two unrelated, adult humpback whales traversing Haro Strait together. These two were in roughly 600ft of water which required flukes out for their deep dives. We had many beautiful sights of the underside of both flukes, beautiful looks at their unique dorsal fins and even a perfect line-up with Turn Point lighthouse in the background. Some harbor porpoises even showed their dorsals! Pretty unique encounter to see the largest and the smallest cetaceans in the Salish Sea.
We circumnavigated Spieden island, seeing some Fallow deer, harbor seals and an immature bald eagle. Our way home took us through the middle of the islands getting a good idea how different island life is for some compared to life on the mainland.
July 21 – Naturalist Lauren
Reports in the Strait of Juan de Fuca took us south today. From the get-go, water conditions were perfect. Flat calm waters everywhere we went. Wanting as much time with whales as possible, we B-lined it south to catch up with the T100’s: Hutchins, Laurel and Estrella. They cruised north along the west side of San Juan Island. We had beautiful views of the three close together. Laurel’s dorsal fin towering over mom and sibling. We hung out with them for about an hour as they traveled side by side, split up occasionally and came back together.
From the orcas, we scanned Spieden island for animals but with the heat, they were all hanging out on the north side in the trees and shade. We came across lots and lots of harbor seals hauled out on the rocks just east of Matia Island before heading to the top of Lummi Island. Three Steller sea lions were causing a ruckus in the water while one large male slept on the channel marker. It was quite the treat to see the three juveniles launch their bodies out of the water without awakening the slumbering male.
Jul 22- Naturalist Kara
We had close-by whales today that were new to me! Our journey through very glassy waters in Rosario Strait brought us on scene with T30A and T30C. This brother and sister duo, Sequoia and Salix were spending some long time under the water, but were very consistent! Their travel took them all the way up Rosario towards Sucia Island, and we ended up being the only boat on scene. After an 8 minute dive, they suddenly ended up pointing right at us and next to the boat! We quickly shut off and let them pass us on by, but got an amazing close pass. We love when these whales choose to come check us out too, as they turn to their side under the water to get an eye on us as they pass. Very fun to see all of those white markings under the water.
After our solo visit with the T30 siblings, we continued around for a beautiful journey past the Patos Island lighthouse with a hazy, but full view of Mount Baker. We stopped for harbor seals and Stellar sea lions at Clements Reef, and cruised past a huge flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls as we meandered through the Sucia finger islands. It was a lovely day to beat the heat out on the water!
July 24 – Naturalist Lauren
Caught up with the T100s (Hutchins, Laurel and Estrella) near Skipjack Island and followed them north-northeast towards Patos Island. They gave us beautiful looks in line with the Patos island lighthouse. I can only assume they were hunting porpoise, but being mature and well versed in porpoise hunts, all that action occurred underwater. A lovely encounter with them nonetheless.
We saw a raft of sea lions hanging out on Clements Reef, early for them to be hanging out on the east side of Sucia but super fun to see the big boys right next to the tiny harbor seals.
July 26 – Naturalist Elliot
What a nice relief to go all the way out to Active Pass, and be able to catch up with whales. We were honed in on a report of two orcas out there and we set our sights for the northwest. Thankfully the whales came north through the pass and we caught up to them on the Galiano Island coastline pointed north the whales were the T30’s A&C, an interesting duo for sure. Brother and sister traveling on without their matriarch T30 Elwha since she died in 2024. We followed them for a while and after a longer dive T30A Sequoia popped up on the other side of us sandwiching us in between them! Very cool encounter.
