an ordinary tuesday

Yesterday we had guests. We wanted to go up into the San Juans on the Puget Sound Express to see some whales. Nobody else signed up for the trip, so it was cancelled. As it turned out, there were no resident orcas to be seen in the usual haunts, about an hour's boat ride from Pete Townsend. They were probably annoyed by the arrival of a few small groups of transient orcas (meat eaters) who were hunting just off Partridge Point (Whidbey Island) about 20 minutes outside of Pete. The tour operator called and asked if we'd care to take a shorter trip. We did indeed care to do that! And it was still just us six, on a boat that normally carries more 20 or more. It was a very private tour.

It wasn't long once we were out in the Strait that we came across a small group of whales headed straight for us. Transient orcas aren't endangered like the resident pods, and there are less strict rules about approaching, following, and getting in front of them. If these had been residents, we'd have NEVER been able to be as close.














We saw a larger group with a very young calf, probably born this season.













This group approached our boat (now with its engines off) directly, and passed alongside and beneath us. Seeing what they looked like underwater was pretty breathtaking, too. The sounds they made as they breathed were short and deep. I'll never forget it. The teenagers who were with us were in the cabin below, and saw the whales from an entirely different angle. Sadly, they didn't have cameras.
















There were a pair of males (easily identified by their enormous dorsal fins) who passed by quite far off. We didn't get any decent pictures of them. But these are likely females.














I would imagine it to be exhilarating to see these whales from a zodiac, but I'm not sure I'd like to take that long a trip (from San Juan Island all the way here) on a boat this size. We had the luxury of a cabin, a head, and a place to get out of the wind and eat our sandwiches.















On the other hand, these researchers were able to get a very good look and probably identify some of these whales. I want this job!














It wasn't very long before a commercial ship came steaming through the Strait. This is the only way into the Puget Sound, after all. Our skipper notified the captain of this ship, and they were able to change course a bit away from the kelp beds where these whales were hunting seals.














Our captain got on the radio and teased the skippers of the other boats about having to come all the way to Pete (for once!) to see whales. This was a very unusual event. I feel blessed. I think our guests had a good time. We certainly couldn't have asked for more.















photos by Michelle, Kurt and hobbitt