The morning of 6/23/13 felt empty as I scanned the waters of Haro Strait on the West side of San Juan Island. Soon after, I heard that orcas, the L12's and L22's, were exiting the area through the Strait of Juan De Fuca and headed for the open ocean. When there are days without orcas, like this one, the "Odyssey" of San Juan Excursions, often sets out looking for other wildlife and a baleen whale that is commonly seen in the area called a minke whale.
At up to thirty five feet long, these marine mammals are a little larger than the orcas. The topside of a minke whale body is brown or dark grey in color, with a light chevron-like pattern that crosses over the back, just behind the head, which is pointed. The underside of the whale is all white, and white bands can be seen on the tiny pectoral fins. The dorsal fin curves back sharply and is about a foot tall. Each dorsal fin shape is unique to individuals as well as any scars on the body. These whales eat small schooling fish like herring, and sandlance and upon diving they do not show their flukes like some other baleen whales. We often see minkes alone, or in small groups, which is typical for baleen whales. Minkes may not be very social but they are curious; we have had encounters were they come right over to the boat and check us out.
On this day we had four different minke whales at Salmon Bank, on the West side of San Juan Island. I was excited to see that one of the minkes was the same one we had seen following orcas from the L12 matriline around the day before.
At up to thirty five feet long, these marine mammals are a little larger than the orcas. The topside of a minke whale body is brown or dark grey in color, with a light chevron-like pattern that crosses over the back, just behind the head, which is pointed. The underside of the whale is all white, and white bands can be seen on the tiny pectoral fins. The dorsal fin curves back sharply and is about a foot tall. Each dorsal fin shape is unique to individuals as well as any scars on the body. These whales eat small schooling fish like herring, and sandlance and upon diving they do not show their flukes like some other baleen whales. We often see minkes alone, or in small groups, which is typical for baleen whales. Minkes may not be very social but they are curious; we have had encounters were they come right over to the boat and check us out.
On this day we had four different minke whales at Salmon Bank, on the West side of San Juan Island. I was excited to see that one of the minkes was the same one we had seen following orcas from the L12 matriline around the day before.
This is the same minke whale we saw following L12 members around the day before!
The same minke surfaces with seagulls and diving birds all around it. The birds gather to eat the same fish the minke is after.
We then got a very rare treat; a tufted puffin! Tufted puffins were common in our area until the population severely declined in the 1980's and 1990's. We now see a tufted puffin once or twice a year. Their decline could be caused by changing oceanic and climatic conditions, effects of introduced species, getting caught in fishing nets, lack of prey, and oil spills.
The tufted puffin takes off.
 |  A diving bird called a Rhinoceros Auklet begins to take off. |  |
On our way back to the dock, we also got to see many harbor seals in the water as they hunted for salmon, octopus, and other prey.
Harbor seals come to the surface to breathe.
It is always fun to hang out with all the wildlife that we have around San Juan Island besides the orcas. What will tomorrow bring?
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
