Whale Watching Report

Minke Showing Face

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

People Watching Harbor Seal

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

"With sunscreen applied we ventured out under a blue sky and beautiful conditions towards Deception Pass where a Gray Whale was busy enjoying his lunch of Ghost Shrimp. Watching as this massive cetacean fed in just 11 feet of water stiring up mud towards the surface we heard his exhalations and his barnacle ridden body gracefully glide through the water. After visiting with this giant we made our way towards Smith & Minor Islands where we found a pair of Bald Eagles near their ground nest, over 60 Harbor Seals hauled out with over a dozen swimming in the waters near shore, and auklets fishing. We continued south of the islands and found a couple of Minke Whales cutting grid patterns on the large bank. Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, Common Murres, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Harbor Seals and Harbor Porpoise all were feeding along side the Minke Whales as an incredible cooperative feeding activity took place right before our eyes!" - Naturalist Kate Janes