Friday, April 16, 2010
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
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
