Whale Watching Report

Transients in Canadian Water

Guardian Steller at Race Rocks

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

"Although our start to the day began in the Washington liquid sunshine it didn't keep the wildlife from coming out of the woodwork!! In the bay just outside of the marina we found 2 Common Loons and a Double-crested Cormorants fishing for baitfish! Entering into Guemes Channel we were fortunate to get a unique look at the BMW Oracle trimaran hauled out onto a barge, with its mast dismantled for easy relocation on a barge that will transport the racing boat to California! We continued our journey down Rosario Strait where we found a mature Bald Eagle perched proudly on the National Wildlife Refuge sign on Colville Island! How appropriate! We ventured further into the Strait of Juan de Fuca towards the city of Victoria! Our long journey was worth it when we found 5 Transient Orcas hugging the shoreline of Vancouver Island! They not only effortlessly made their way through the water by swam through narrow passages between small rocky islands! Their exhalations appeared white against the dark grey backdrop of the water! As we departed all 5 whales came together disappearing into the watery depths for a long deep dive! We did make a quick stop by the Race Rocks Lighthouse, since it isn't too often (typically once a year) we find ourselves this far west, where we took in the beautiful structure and over 30 Steller Sea Lions hauled out on its shoreline! There were even a number of Sea Lions that wrestled about in the frigid water near rafts of Bull Kelp floating atop the water! To top off a wonderful adventure we found a Minke Whale upon our return to Rosario Strait (making the trip a doubleheader!) and the grand finale of a rainbow appeared just as we entered into the marina!! Also seen on our journey included: Harbor Seals, Common Murres, Marbled Murreletts, Harbor Porpoise, Heereman's Gulls, and Glaucous-winged Gulls!!" - Naturalist Kate Janes