San Juan Superpod

August 15, 2010

This morning, we headed out in flat calm seas and sunny warm skies. We headed to San Juan Island again to search for the orcas that had been heard on hydrophones earlier in the morning. We arrived on the west side to to find members of J, K and L-pods spread out foraging and playing. We spent some time with a mother and two young calves and were treated to a tremendous spyhop by one of the young calves. Passengers and crew saw cartwheels and breaches, and our encounter concluded with a lovely encounter with Blackberry (J27). On the return to Victoria, we found a gray whale near Chatham Island and enjoyed the harbour seals at Trial Island.

On the afternoon trip, we headed towards Salmon Bank where we encountered several orcas foraging in what continue to be serenely calm waters. Ruffles (J1) was the first whale of the afternoon, definitely no better way to start the orca experience. A young orca thrilled us by spyhopping not once but twice, and were thrilled by another great visit with Blackberry (J27). After a stop at the seal haulout on Trial Island, we headed back to the harbour, satisfied after another superb day on the Salish Sea.