Killer Whale Update

No sign of the Killer Whales (Orcas) spotted yesterday at Kelp Reef. We had no tours today, so I did not fully engage myself networking with my friends out of Victoria who probably had whale watch trips today.

I did take some time looking carefully across the straits on a bike ride today. Despite the cloud cover and Puget Sound Fog/low clouds that settled in over the island today, it was warm and calm. I told my friend Joe we should be thankful for the warm (52 degrees) and dry (no rain, wet pavement, moss covered roads) weather, because soon it will get cooler and wetter, making bike rides even more difficult.

I'll post tomorrow if there are any unique wildlife or Killer Whale sightings tomorrow. We will be shutting down the kayak and whale watch operation as of today, through the new year. We will open back up in early January, and go out daily weather permitting. Call if you have any questions, or would like to make a reservation.

Brian Goodremont from San Juan Outfitters Headquarters on Honey Lane. Brown Lab sleeping at the top of the stairs, warm fire down below, and turkey noodle soup for dinner.

Sea Kayak Tour Today

Noon trip from Roche Harbor, San Juan Island

We had ideal conditions to paddle today. Essentially no winds, minimal tides, and cloud cover made the water absolutely calm. I lead our trip today with four guests out into Speiden Channel, and west into Haro Strait. Tons of bird life right outside the harbor, between Pearl Island and Barren Rock (a national wildlife refuge). We spotted Hooded Mergansers, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, Buffleheads, and Double Crested Cormorants all in the first 10 minutes of the trip. Several eagles were trying to take advantage of the hundreds of diving birds. We saw no fewer than a dozen attempts today at capturing ducks by Bald Eagles today. Primarily they seemed to target female Buffleheads? No success that we saw.

We took a short break near Battleship island, on the west side of Henry Island. The kelp forests are still thick, and provide great habitat for wildlife. We had our first close encounter with a Harbor Seal out there. Great views. No sign of Stellars today, although the other guides have been warning me that there is an individual Stellar hanging out near Battleship Island, and he is a little territorial.

We paddled off shore about a mile, since the water was so flat. I was hoping to spot some Harbor or Dalls porpoise, but no luck. In the back of my mind, I was also hoping to catch a glimpse of a Killer Whale in the distance. A friend called me today to let me know they were spotted nearby, and I was hoping they might reverse their earlier direction, and head back our way. No luck, but it was a great trip overall. After some shoreline exploring, we made our way back home. Probably about a 7 mile round trip. Lots of Puget Sound mist, but no hard rain. Lots of Harbor Seals, Birds, and smooth water. Thanks to Kyle, Candice, Lauren, and Karlee for choosing to getting outdoors on a beautiful fall day.

Killer Whales Spotted Today

Orca Whales were heard on the west side of San Juan Island today, through the hydrophone array at Lime Kiln State Park. They were later spotted from land in the vicinity of Kelp Reef around 11:00am. I wish my kayak trip left a bit earlier today, as the whales were south bound. That means they could have been up in the northern part of Haro Strait, where sea kayak tours typically paddle. No news on which whales, but typically when we hear vocalizations on the hydrophone, that means they are members of J, K, or L pod which make up the Southern Resident Community.
For more information on how to listen to our Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orca Whales), check out orcasound.net.

I'll post my kayak trip a little later this evening. It was a great trip!!

Brian Goodremont

Whale and Wildlife Report

No confirmation on whales sighted between Tuesday and today. The weather picked up today as predicted, with winds and rain persisting between 11am and 3pm. The weather will be better tomorrow, and I'll be leading a group of at least 4 guests at noon from Roche Harbor, San Juan Island.

I'm hoping to spend the majority of the tour on the west side of Henry Island, where I typically can spot great wildlife. A few days ago, we saw Harbor Seals, Stellar Sea Lions, Harbor Porpoise, Bald Eagles, and 10 varieties of sea birds, shore birds, and migratory ducks. Two weeks ago we spotted a Minke Whale in that area, which is why I love winter paddling in the San Juan Islands. You never know what you'll see.

Thanks for tuning in. Call or write with any questions or comments. I'll give an update on tomorrow's tour.

Brian Goodremont

Thanksgiving Weekend

Updates from San Juan Outfitters HQ: The MV Sea Hawk is back in the water after a successful annual haul out. Coast Guard Inspections are complete, and some upgrades in equipment should increase our fuel efficiency and speed for the remainder of the 2008 season, and into 2009.

Our scheduled kayak tour today was cancelled due to heavy rain, and an incoming front which is predicted to bring us more rain and wind. Tomorrow's forecast is better with only 30% chance of rain, light winds, and partly cloudy. Believe it or not, that is ideal this time of the year!!

Despite cool and wet winter weather, wildlife sightings have been fantastic the past week. I have not spoken with NMFS (National Marine Fishery Service) scientists lately to determine what our Souther Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) are feeding on right now, but there must be fish keeping them in our region. By this time of the year, the SRKW are normally not seen as frequently, and not in such high numbers. Our Resident J and K pods were both spotted and or heard off the west side of San Juan as recently as Tuesday of this week. I have not had a trip this week, so I'm not sure where they have been since then. I'll check in with my colleagues, and report again later.

Other wildlife sightings: Lots of seals, sea lions, otters, and bird life on our Roche Harbor half day and full day kayak routes. Hundreds of Surf Scoters (some of my favorite birds) north of Roche Harbor in the shallow water between Pearl Island and Barren Rock. Lots of Harbor Porpoise around Battleship Island in Haro Strait, just north of San Juan Island. It's always fun to paddle with porpoise, especially in calm water.

That's all for now. I will report later with more whale information. We are heading out whale watching and kayaking tomorrow (Saturday Nov. 29th). Should be a beautiful day.

Captain Brian from Honey Lane Headquarters San Juan Island

Whale Sightings and Boat Maintenance

Mid November is time for boat maintenance. Sea Hawk is out of the water for our annual Coast Guard Inspection, and routine maintenance. We hauled out this morning in 35mph winds in Bellingham. The weather has cleared, which makes boat yard life a little nicer. We're planning on being back in the water early next week following our inspection, and will be prepared for tours during the last two weeks of November.

Whale sightings have continued into the fall. Humpbacks and Transient Killer Whales have been spotted periodically off San Juan Island, and Victoria. We're excited for Thanksgiving weekend tours, and hoping for good weather.

For those who check out blog regularly, we'll do out best to keep you updated on tours and wildlife sightings. We're still operating kayak tours daily.

Captain Brian from the Boatyard