Friday, April 16, 2010
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Burrows Island Wildlife and Great Kayaking
Andaria had another super fun 5 Hour trip around Burrows island yesterday. Her and her guests had too many seal encounters to count and she told us that the Harbor porpoise were out in force all day.
After the trip her guests called in to reiterate how much fun they had (we love it when we get direct feedback like this). One couple said that their favorite part was exploring near the shoreline during the low tide. There were beautiful Purple Sea Stars (Pisaster ochraceus), a couple of gorgeous Striped Sun Stars (Solaster stimpsoni), and even some Sea Pens (Order-Pennatulacea).
Sea pens are colonial cnidarians (like jellyfish) that are generally grouped together with other soft corals. They sift plankton from the water as it drifts by. These animals are rarely seen on our tours because they live a bit deeper in the water column and the water has to be unusually clear to see that deep. It's always a treat to have a glimpse at these beautiful animals!
After the tour I met up with Andaria and two other guides (Ben and Wyatt) and we paddled around Burrows and Allan islands to enjoy the fantastic evening light. It was a flat calm day and once again we were surrounded by foraging porpoise. Hearing their sharp exhalations around our kayaks created a relaxing atmosphere as we watched the sun setting over the San Juan Islands
After the trip her guests called in to reiterate how much fun they had (we love it when we get direct feedback like this). One couple said that their favorite part was exploring near the shoreline during the low tide. There were beautiful Purple Sea Stars (Pisaster ochraceus), a couple of gorgeous Striped Sun Stars (Solaster stimpsoni), and even some Sea Pens (Order-Pennatulacea).
Sea pens are colonial cnidarians (like jellyfish) that are generally grouped together with other soft corals. They sift plankton from the water as it drifts by. These animals are rarely seen on our tours because they live a bit deeper in the water column and the water has to be unusually clear to see that deep. It's always a treat to have a glimpse at these beautiful animals!
After the tour I met up with Andaria and two other guides (Ben and Wyatt) and we paddled around Burrows and Allan islands to enjoy the fantastic evening light. It was a flat calm day and once again we were surrounded by foraging porpoise. Hearing their sharp exhalations around our kayaks created a relaxing atmosphere as we watched the sun setting over the San Juan Islands
Labels: kayak, San Juan Islands, san juan islands kayak tours, sea kayaking
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Spring kayaking and Orca whales!
It's a beautiful April morning out there. After a week of windy weather this comes as welcome relief.
Andaria is out on her morning kayak tour around Burrows Island and the report just came in that there are Orca whales just off shore on the west side of the island! This is the first time this season that we've been out there when the whales go by, hopefully they get a great look at them. Apparently the porpoise sighting have been incredible as well, with lots of small groups being seen in Burrows Pass and out by the lighthouse.
Orca whales are not the only large marine mammal that we have been fortunate to see these last few days. A large Gray whale has been repeatedly seen in and around Deception Pass. Just this morning one of our spotters saw it swimming east into the Narrows. It is likely moving back and forth between shallow areas off of the west side of Fidalgo Island (Anacortes) and Similk Bay on the south end.
Andaria is out on her morning kayak tour around Burrows Island and the report just came in that there are Orca whales just off shore on the west side of the island! This is the first time this season that we've been out there when the whales go by, hopefully they get a great look at them. Apparently the porpoise sighting have been incredible as well, with lots of small groups being seen in Burrows Pass and out by the lighthouse.
Orca whales are not the only large marine mammal that we have been fortunate to see these last few days. A large Gray whale has been repeatedly seen in and around Deception Pass. Just this morning one of our spotters saw it swimming east into the Narrows. It is likely moving back and forth between shallow areas off of the west side of Fidalgo Island (Anacortes) and Similk Bay on the south end.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Spring Kayaking in the San Juan Islands
Easter weekend was pretty blustery this year as a large weather system passed over the region. Still, the last few weeks have been sunny and warm and we are enjoying the gorgeous display of wildflowers that are blooming on the grassy slopes along Burrows Island.
Our kayaking season started early this year due to the great weather, and lots of folks are joining us on our 3 Hour and 5 Hour trips around Burrows Island. Veteran guide Andaria Crespi has led most of these trips and she has been sharing great stories of seal encounters and porpoise sightings, one group even witnessed a pair of Bald eagles mating in a tree! You never know what will happen out there! Once again the resident pair of Peregrine falcons is nesting on the cliffs in Allan Pass (the narrow waterway between Burrows Island and Allan Island). For the last seven years our kayak tours have enjoyed watching these beautiful animals raise there chicks out there.
Last week we spotted a Gray whale feeding in the shallow water off of Washington Park. Some years we get lucky and one or two will remain in the area for weeks. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
Our kayaking season started early this year due to the great weather, and lots of folks are joining us on our 3 Hour and 5 Hour trips around Burrows Island. Veteran guide Andaria Crespi has led most of these trips and she has been sharing great stories of seal encounters and porpoise sightings, one group even witnessed a pair of Bald eagles mating in a tree! You never know what will happen out there! Once again the resident pair of Peregrine falcons is nesting on the cliffs in Allan Pass (the narrow waterway between Burrows Island and Allan Island). For the last seven years our kayak tours have enjoyed watching these beautiful animals raise there chicks out there.
Last week we spotted a Gray whale feeding in the shallow water off of Washington Park. Some years we get lucky and one or two will remain in the area for weeks. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
Labels: kayak, San Juan Islands, sea kayaking
