July 28th

Aboard the FastCat this morning, with news in the bag that J's were way north in Vancouver, we headed deep SW in the Juan de Fuca strait. Scouted for minkes, fin's, orca and humpacks, to no avail. Lots of seabirds out there suggesting the feed down there is yummy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKNd8-rR4nA

We visited the scenic FreshWater Bay, and Crescent Bay in the hopes of meeting a Gray whale of two. Calling by Race Rocks on the way home, the waters on the NW side of Race were abundant with krill forming spiraling shoals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qoCwcrkdEc

2 lazing scratching stellar sealions watched on, as we rounded into Race Channel, viewing 3 elephant seals on top of the main west rock. Another elephant seal lay dozing in a rock pool, blowing bubbles, and then giving us a fantastic side profile of his huge canines!

Our afternoon trip was a big push west in the Juan de Fuca strait, where we had word that K's and L's were inbound. We found the L12's all together, with L41's distinctive dorsal in the middle of the group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5UP2XIhNlA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRu9W0-IFKE

K's were further inshore, but there seemed to be whales whales all around. It was quite the spectacle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHvjpasHLUg

Our evening cruise ship trip found us several miles NE of Race Rocks with L's once again. They were very spread out, but viewing blows all around us with a stunning misty sunset. Glorious. What an office we work in!