The Sea Hawk took out an intimate tour in hopes of finding a few humpback whales; however, as we began our departure from Mosquito Pass we received reports of transient killer whales near Vancouver Island! In a sudden turn of events we headed north and began our wildlife tour. Once arriving on scene we were able to travel along side of the T’s (a pod of transient) for a considerable distance. We were able to get stunning views of the unique saddle patch on each whale and were able to enjoy the tranquility of a wild animal in its natural habitat. After our peaceful and awe-inspiring siting we moved towards Spieden Island.
Once at Spieden one of our guests spotted an albino deer along the forest edge. Albinism is a genetic condition that leads to extraordinarily pale skin, white fur and pink eyes. The pink eyes are caused because the iris lacks pigment, causing for the appearance of the blood vessels to dictate the color. In addition, it is believed that albino animals have enhanced night vision because more light is capable of reaching the retina. Interestingly, one of the most famous albino animals today is a humpback living off of the coast of Australia.
In addition to the unique spotting, guests found several bald eagles and harbor seals on Spieden Island, in addition to the harbor porpoises spotted on our route from Canadian waters to Spieden. Overall it was a fantastic trip that allowed guests the opportunity to see the true diversity in the Salish Sea.
Adult Bald Eagle