Whale Watching Report

"Gray Whales in sight," reported Captain Carl from the Island Explorer 3. Our hearty passengers saw the whales today in a huge variety of weather - a good day for coffee and hot chocolate from the galley! Stay tuned for details from Naturalist Kate Janes. "Under a blanket of gray clouds we found 2 Gray Whales at the south end of Gedney Island. We found Patch, #49, & #723 in the only break in the clouds that allowed the sun to shine through onto the Island Explorer 3! Their exhalations appeared white as the giants slowly rolled through the water exposing their barnacle ridden backs! After some great looks we ventured north along the western side of Gedney Island were we found Western Grebes, Rhinoceros Auklets, a Harbor Seal, and a couple of Bald Eagles soaring high above the water perhaps in search of their next meal! Just past Camano Head it began to hail! Yes, it was hailing but we didn't care for there were 2 more Gray Whales enjoying the massage the hail provided! There were even a few Harbor Porpoise swimming fairly close to their larger cetacean cousins!" - Naturalist Kate Janes