August 17-August 23

This past week, whales were a little more central to the marina that we depart from (Skyline in Anacortes), making for some time well spent with beautiful backdrops and abundant wildlife. Each whale species that we can expect to see at this time of year were around (Bigg’s killer whales, humpbacks, minkes), seal pups have grown so much that they’re starting to be more difficult to separate from their moms who are in the process of weening them, and seabird abundance is bonkers right now (looking at you, Common Murres)!

Bigg’s killer whale families that were in our area this week, and that we personally encountered on our trips were: T19s (3), T37As (3), T37A1 (with other, unrelated Bigg’s), T46s (4), T46B1s (3), T49As (5), T60s (4), T65A5, T65Bs (4), T99s (5), T100s (3), and the T124Ds (4). We hadn’t seen the T60s, T100s, or T124Ds since back at the beginning of whale watching season, so it was nice to see these families wander back in to the central Salish Sea. In total, across all of our tours, we encountered 42 individuals from this population.

A notable encounter involved the T99s this past week. In a big kelp bed just off of Polnell Point near Oak Harbor, this family displayed their full hunting prowess as they skillfully snagged two harbor seals with what seemed like minimal effort. The highlight was to witness the youngest member of the family, T99E “Qwiin qwiin oo qwii la” take the second seal down all on her own. At just four years old, it’s remarkable to watch as she’s refining her apex predator skills. Her mother, T99 “Bella,” has done a fine job teaching her these hunting skills, and I noted how the other four family members hung back a bit to give T99E her opportunity. If it ever came down to it, no doubt that this little one will survive if she were to wind up on her own, either through choice or circumstance.

Humpbacks are still traveling through the islands to switch up their eating spots between the Strait of Georgia (up north and into BC) and the Strait of Juan de Fuca out west toward Victoria, Sooke, Sequim, and beyond. This past week we continued to encounter humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” on several tours. She seemed to favor dinning around the MacArthur Bank area just off the south side of Lopez Island. A few other humpback whales that were encountered were BCX1920 “Octo,” MMX0360 “Seltzer,” and Seltzer was traveling with a companion who has still yet to be identified. Those two whales traveled from the west side of San Juan Island to the south, around the southern end of Lopez, and then made a turn north into Rosario.

Minke whales were also seen on several of our tours out and around Salmon Bank, one of their usual feeding areas. All in all, a wonderful week full of sunshine, calm waters, and lots of wildlife.

As always, we are looking forward to seeing what the next week of wildlife sightings is going to bring us.