Wednesday, August 13, 2008
WHAAALES!! (Again)
Holy Moly! I can't believe our luck this summer. While the whale sightings on the west side of San Juan Island are down by 50% this year (according to the researchers at Lime Kiln State Park), our sightings are through the roof. Minutes ago, our guide Mira had the show of a lifetime as L-Pod came swimming by, northbound at the Burrows Island Lighthouse. They appeared to be in an exceptionally social mood, not surprising after this family of Orcas just welcomed a new baby (L-111) into the group two days ago. Mira was a little too excited to tell us too much information about the whole encounter, all we heard was a lot of shrieking and "Oh my gosh!!" coming through the radio.
The best part is that L-Pod isn't done with Anacortes Kayak Tours yet. They are slowly heading north up Bellingham Channel where Pete and his multi-day guests are about to encounter them. What a great way to end a kayak camping trip! Jeff Porter is also kayaking home with some guests after 3 days out at Cypress Island, I haven't heard from him yet, but he is also likely to stumble into this group of 50+ killer whales.
Warm weather, sunnny skies, kayaking with whales.....it's all in a summer's day fun for the guides of Anacortes Kayak Tours!
The best part is that L-Pod isn't done with Anacortes Kayak Tours yet. They are slowly heading north up Bellingham Channel where Pete and his multi-day guests are about to encounter them. What a great way to end a kayak camping trip! Jeff Porter is also kayaking home with some guests after 3 days out at Cypress Island, I haven't heard from him yet, but he is also likely to stumble into this group of 50+ killer whales.
Warm weather, sunnny skies, kayaking with whales.....it's all in a summer's day fun for the guides of Anacortes Kayak Tours!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Yet another whale encounter in the eastern San Juans!!
Monica Blanchard just called me two minutes ago to tell me that she is, once again, kayaking with Orca whales. Her guests were camping out on Cypress Head and had set out on a morning paddle towards the north end of Cypress Island when J-Pod swam by. It's a gorgeous day and I'm pretty sure that the pictures the group gets will be amazing. This year has been the best year for whale sightings that we have ever had. The salmon that these Orcas feed on seem to prefer using Rosario Strait as a passage to reach their natal streams.
Monica's group is off to a fantastic start, and it is looking to get better still. They are planning to hike up to Eagle Bluff to enjoy some of the most outstanding views in the San Juan Islands.
All of our trips have been reporting that loads of Harbor seals are being seen cruising near the kayaks. This is the time of the year when the pups are being weaned. These young individuals have not yet developed a fear of people and so they often approach to within a few feet of our kayaks.
Monica's group is off to a fantastic start, and it is looking to get better still. They are planning to hike up to Eagle Bluff to enjoy some of the most outstanding views in the San Juan Islands.
All of our trips have been reporting that loads of Harbor seals are being seen cruising near the kayaks. This is the time of the year when the pups are being weaned. These young individuals have not yet developed a fear of people and so they often approach to within a few feet of our kayaks.
