Breathtaking breach!!
Tail lob!
A magnificent cart wheel!
Breach
Tail lob
Tailslap
Tailslap
Spyhop
K Pod Orcas travel through the Strait.
This gentleman was visiting with his wife from England and was born in Oldham, a stone throw from my home town of Rochdale. It was nice to share my final trip of the season with a Lancashire Lad:)
We had a group of students on board that had travelled all the way from Germany to see the Orcas and were thrilled with the encounter with K Pod!
Passengers relax and reflect after a wonderful trip to end the season!
Harlequin Ducks near Trial Island.
Bald Eagle near Trial Island.
Harbor Seal at Chain Islets
Common Murre takes flight!
Today we set out for our final tour of 2008 and what a way to end the season with a wonderful encounter with K Pod near middle bank! Our vessel was full of excited passengers hoping to catch a glimpse of Orcas and they were not to be disappointed:)
Just after we left the Harbor we received a call that K Pod had been sighted near Middle Bank, off the coast of San Juan Island. We arrived on scene just in time to see a magnificent Cart Wheel and spy hops as K Pod were being very active. The Orcas also spent a lot of time foraging for Salmon and were being very vocal, as we listened using the Hydrophone. We also a mother and calf swim past the boat and the calf began to play with a piece of bull kelp, playtime;) Then we watched in stunned silence as one of the Orcas breached near the back of our vessel (just over 100 yards away), it was a magnificent sight!!!
We left K Pod and travelled over to the Chain Islets to see the various Marine Birds that roost here and also the countless Harbor Seals. Whilst at the Chain Islets we also saw a number of the very colorful Harlequin Ducks. Then as we headed home and passed Trial Island we spotted a Bald Eagle, what a bonus, plus some more Harlequin Ducks!
With calm seas, beautiful sunny skies it was the perfect Autumn day and an unforgettable way to end the 2008 season:)
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