We have been very fortunate with great weather the past few days! Summer is here with blue skies, warm weather, and lots of wildlife.
Kayak guide Amy R. had a very fun family kayak tour this morning. Amy and her guests paddled to Posey Island, which is now part of the San Juan Islands National Monument. Posey Island is Washington State's smallest state park at high tide and is a favorite stop for guides & guests. Amy and her young guests were very eager to explore the island. They search for kelp & red craps, nutebranchs, and sea stars. Even and Alex, two brothers on the tour, brought a flashlight to scope out an otter den! Earlier in the tour, they encountered a mink foraging along the shore line.
Naturalist Emily and Captain Jim encountered Transient mammal-hunting Killer Whales on our Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour. They departed from Roche Harbor and made their way down the west side of San Juan Island, passing the Kellet Bluffs on Henry Island and Lime Kiln Lighthouse before meeting the family pod just south of Whale Watch Park. The family pod of Orcas consisted of about six mammals, including one adult male and several young offspring. Our vessel, Sea Hawk, was the only boat on the water with the pod...it was like the Orcas appeared for just us! Emily, Jim, and their guests quietly observed the killer whale family traveling close to shore, foraging along they way. Also along the way, Sea Hawk encountered Dall's porpoise, harbor seals, and several pairs of bald eagles circling overhead.