June 17, 2017 – Our sunset trip was booked but our morning was open. Late morning breakfast at Cynthias was cut short when we heard Orca whales were see from 4th of July Beach. “All hands on deck!” and our sunset passengers mustered on the double for noon. T65Bs and 36As as a tight social group. Hard to leave, and they continued to follow us as we headed South to see L pod of the long awaited residents. Finally they’ve popped into their traditional core area. Beautiful tight resting group of such significance. Hard to leave, then found within 2.3 miles the Transients were fully engaged in predation with a double synchronized breach on two harbor porpoise. And a double hitter for us, to introduce folks to two ecotypes of Orca.
Harbor seals close to Friday Harbor
Harbor Seals curious and watchful
Sailing with friends and whales
South bound Surf Scoters near Big Rock, Lopez shoreline
T36As near Fishermans Harbor, Lopez
Resting Southern Resident Killer Whales from L Pod South of Salmon Bank
Resting Ls
Resting Ls
We saw 30 members from L pod resting in this tight group. L54’s, L84 and L88 were not present.
Rhinoceros Auklet photo-bomb on resting group of L pod members
Resting Line of Orcas
L pod resting – Center for Whale Research boat in the distance
Orca spyhop next to Harbor Porpoise
Two Harbor Porpoise knocked into the air by T65B
Upside-down tail flick of Harbor Porpoise
Double synchronized breach with Harbor Porpoise in air, T36A and T36A1
Transient orca T36A1 ramming Harbor Porpoise
Transient killer whale T36A1 rams Harbor Porpoise
Bald Eagle and Cattle Point Lighthouse
Steelers Sea Lions includes a pup, Cattle Point Lighthouse. We wonder how many of these are female. Seems late to have quite a number still here
Steller sea lions and bald eagle on Whale Rocks
Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington