Find the Whales

Jake takes time to smell the flowers in Friday Harbor.

On our return trip to Anacortes, we decide to go north, then around the west side of San Juan Island to see if we can see any whales.  The Orcas are in this area, and we are aware of the restrictions about how close we can cruise near them.


We see a ferry in port, and one coming in, and we are safely outside their route.

....and a cute little tug heading out, also.

Then another look back -- the Hyak is heading straight for us!  


(Good zoom lens here.)


Actually, she is turning to her starboard as we are heading to port, so no problem.

Battleship Island really looks like a battleship.

In Haro Strait there are many ships and tugs with loads.

Karavados

Island Tug

Pacific's Tug

But where are the whales?  These kayaks are sitting still, as though they know the whales will show up any moment now.  We are encouraged.

Interesting to me is the Strait of Juan de Fuca at the south end of Vancouver Island.  I am thrilled to see it, as last year the weather did not cooperate with our windows of opportunity to cruise to the city of Victoria.  I enjoy the background view of the snow capped mountains, which are on the mainland in Washington state.

Ah, the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Still scanning the horizon for evidence of the Orcas, we watch intently so that we are not too close when we see them.  Uh, oh, as we get close, we see this is not a whale.

Nor this.......

But the scenery on land is beautiful.  We pass Bellevue Lighthouse.

Where are the whales?  Excitement mounts as we see far ahead in the distance a gathering of boats, and we assume that they are wildlife tour boats enjoying the Orcas they have found.  

Herb gets the binoculars to examine further.

The red float suggests that this is fishing grounds and the boats are tending their lines.  

No whales to be seen here.

As we round the southern tip of San Juan Island to enter Rosario Strait for  destination Anacortes, we see the whale watching boats approach us going north.  We hear them on the radio identifying to Traffic.   Hmmmm, did we miss the whales?

Well, no whales for us today, but we did get to see wildlife, and the harbor seals came close to us.

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Monday, June 11, 2012