Whale Watching Report

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Winter Wonderland!

"Our guests arrived at the Everett Marina to a shoveled path to the Island Explorer 3 after the area experienced a white holiday season! Shortly after departing the marina we visited with a couple of California Sea Lions who were hauled on a channel marker! One of the young sea lions was branded with the number 831 thus allowing researchers to track its movements in the region! We continued our journey past the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal as two Washington State Ferries crossed Possession Sound! At Possession Point we turned north up Admiralty Inlet where we found yet another California Sea Lion resting on another channel marker and watched as he gracefully dove into the frigid water of the Puget Sound. Shortly after making our way north along Whidbey Island's western shoreline we found a group of friendly Harbor Porpoise that surrounded the boat as they slowly rolled through the water! We also found a mated pair of Bald Eagles perched high in a snag! Turning back southbound the Seattle skyline with the iconic Space Needle came into sight and lasted for a time before disappearing in the haze! We visited with more hungry Harbor Porpoise, Common Murres, Rhinoceros Auklets, a couple of Bald Eagles that soared right above the boat, a breaching Salmon that was being chased by a sea lion, curious Harbor Seals, Ancient Murreletts, Pelagic Cormorants, Double-crested Cormorants and hundreds of Western Grebes in multiple large rafts! Our guests from today's adventure will enjoy another trip with their "Just a Fluke" pass allowing them to come again for free for life until they see a whale, since we didn't see whales today!" - Naturalist Kate Janes

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 7:45 PM   0 Comments

Friday, December 26, 2008

J-Pod Sighting

J-Pod was sighted off Whidbey Island on December 23rd heading south. The Island Explorer 3 and her crew  will be out looking for whales on the 27th and 28th...Stay tuned to the Whale Report for sighting updates.

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 12:22 PM   0 Comments

Monday, December 22, 2008

Orca Whales Sighted!

Today we received reports of Orca Whales off West Point near Seattle and yesterday of J-Pod Orca Whales southbound near Marrowstone Island. Our next tours will be Saturday, December 27th and Sunday, December 28th - Captain Carl has been moving lots of snow out of the driveway and can't wait to take you out to see some whales!!

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 2:49 PM   0 Comments

Friday, December 19, 2008

Cold Temperatures, Ice, and Snow!

The unusual cold December weather this year has been limiting our regular schedule - we hope to get out on the water soon when the conditions are more favorable for our guests comfort! Our next tours will be December 23rd, 27th, 28th, and the last tour for our 2008 season will be January 3rd.

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 3:29 PM   0 Comments

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Whales, whales, whales!

Orcas, Orcas everywhere!  In the last few days we have had reports of both Resident and Transient Orca in the area!!  Southern Resident Orcas spent Sunday in Puget Sound with a stop near Port Townsend on Monday!  Transient Orcas where also seen on Monday near Vancouver Island!   Today reports are coming in of more Orca activity off Vancouver Island!  Our next trip will be departing this coming Saturday, December 13th from our Everett location at 11 AM.  

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 3:14 PM   0 Comments

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Southern Residents Spend Day In Puget Sound!

Yesterday J's, K's and a portion of L pod spent the entire day in Puget Sound feeding on Chum Salmon!!  Our next trip will be departing this coming Saturday, December 6th at 11 AM from our Everett location - just a stones throw of where the Orcas were yesterday!  

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 9:10 AM   0 Comments

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Fresh Sushi Flying Through the Air

"Leaving the dock today we sat under a patchy blue sky! Upon leaving the marina we found a couple of California Sea Lions hauled out on a channel marker, showing off their immense size and fortunately not their foul smell! Continuing into Possession Sound we found ourselves completely engulfed in a very thick layer of fog! Moving slowly we ventured towards Gedney Island where we found a break from the fog! This fog-free pocket extended up towards Camano Island allowing us to see a mature Bald Eagle fly directly overhead!! Moments later we found a pair of Bald Eagles sitting on a rocky beach! The male was feeding near the waters edge while his mate sat supervising from a nearby log!! Our journey took us further north where we found a very hungry California Sea Lion who violently thrashed about at the surface with a huge salmon in his mouth!! A couple of Glaucous-winged Gulls couldn't resist an opportunity to snag a bite and hovered above the massive penniped!! We also enjoyed observing a raft of over 500 Western Grebes, feeding Dall's Porpoise, swimming Harbor Seals, a small group of Brant Geese, Surf Scoters, Rhinoceros Auklets and groups of Bonapart's Gulls!! Although we had a great day out on the water, spending quality time with the wildlife in the area , each of our guests will have another opportunity to join us again for free since we didn't see whales!" - Naturalist Kate Janes

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 6:40 PM   0 Comments

Friday, November 28, 2008

"Under a blanket of clouds we departed the Everett marina towards Possession Sound. As we exited the marina we slowed down to visit with a couple of hauled out California Sea Lions! After a few moments one sea lion repositioned giving our guests the opportunity for a photo shoot before sliding back into the water! Continuing on our way westward we found another sea lion lounging on another channel marker, from a distance the sea lion actually looked like a huge log that found a resting place on the marker! Proving it is always good to take a closer look! At Clinton we got a great look at a Washington State Ferry as it made its way to port! Our journey took us north up Admiralty Inlet and into Hood Canal where we found Ancient Murrelets, Bald Eagles soaring above the channel and perched high in trees, Surf Scoters, Western Grebes, Cormorants, hauled out Harbor Seals, Bonaparte's Gulls, Glaucous-wing Gulls, Harbor Porpoise, Red-necked Grebes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots and Common Murres! In Hood Canal we watched a group of hungry birds in a frenzy due to the activities of a Harbor Seal under the water! We eventually had to make our way back to the dock where we found more California Sea Lions sitting a top pontoons near the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln! Before leaving a few began barking, showing us just how vocal they really can be!! Our guests will have another opportunity to join us again for free since we didn't see whales on today's adventure, because we guarantee whales on every trip!" - Naturalist Kate Janes

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 9:22 PM   0 Comments

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Whales in Admiralty Inlet!

Hot off the whale phone there are Orcas in Puget Sound!  Looks like L pod is heading towards Seattle just before the Thanksgiving holiday!  Hopefully they will hang around all weekend!  Our next trips from our Everett location will be departing at 11 AM on Friday November 28th, Saturday November 29th, and Sunday November 30th! 

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 9:16 AM   0 Comments

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Super Pod! J, K, and L pods  approximately 80 whales sighted near Victor Gulf Buoy headed East!
We have perfect Fall weather in the forecast and whales in the area. The next tours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday departing from Everett at 11:00 a. m. 

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 9:37 AM   0 Comments