(Complimentary eCard, click to download)
(Complimentary eCard, click to download)
(Humpback headed our direction, leaves us in suspence)
(Harbour Porpoise)
(feeding humpback)
(breaching fish)
(open mouth)
(humpback with industry on Port Angeles shoreline)
(orcas and puffin)
Today was absolutely extraordinary! Why? Well for starters, we headed out on the 3:30 pm trip and the rain started but that certainly didn't stop our trip from turning out to be pure magic! We departed towards San Juan Island were all 3 pods were milling throughout the day in the fog. As we passed Trial Island we discovered that Lpod was making it's way west. One animal layed on their side pec slapping over and over again. The animals were in fast traveling behavior, speed porpoising. Witnessed a few breaches by Faith / L57 (sorry guys was busy focusing on the group speed porpoising across the Strait of Juan de Fuca). Groups of 3 traveled towards Race Passage. Flash L73, Gaia L74, Faith L57 all sighted and with others including mothers and calfs.
After an incredible glimpse of the orcas we headed towards where a humpback was feeding in the middle of the strait. On the way we sighted a school of harbour porpoise milling. We found the humpback feeding, with a pec high in the air and mouth wide open on it's side. Lots of tail thrashing as well. In the process of this, noticed that fish were flying out of the ocean and then Captain Shamus alerted me that a Tufted Puffin was flying past our vessel! I didn't know where to point my lens today it was so busy. I also noticed in the background of the very busy humpback, harbour porpoise milling which you can actually see in the photos!
After a wonderful viewing of the humpback, we headed back towards Victoria where Lpod was still making their way west. Stopped to see a harbour seal who was munching on a fish and then caught one last glimpse of the orcas. A mother and calf were traveling together as well as a large male. I also noticed later there is another Tufted Puffin right in the foreground of the photo of mom and calf orca! I tell ya, today was up there with one of the best trips I have had in 5 years! It just didn't seem to end. Magnificent!
photos soon
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