Yesterday on the Seahawk, we had an amazing day. Capt. Gabe and I set out with a bunch of great guests on a very sunny and calm day on the water. There were reports of some of the Resident Killer Whales heading east along the north side of Henry Island which is really close to Roche Harbor! We managed to head them off at the pass! Right when we exited Mosquito Pass into Haro Strait. It was the J-16s! We moved out of their way and watched them swim south. It seemed like they were in a hurry because the J-2's were swimming right behind them - fast! So fast in fact that as soon as the J-16's passed on one side of the boat we heard the J-2's on the other and turned around just in time to see them porpoising super fast down the west side of San Juan Island! Porpoising is how they reach their top speeds and looks awesome as it looks like they fly out of the water and cause a large wake to their sides. The few that brought up the rear of the pack crossed on the other side of the boat directly through the orange shimmering water trail left by the sunset over Vancouver Island.
Whale folks until next time,
Naturalist Erick
M/V Seahawk, San Juan Outfitters