March 18, 2018 These common dolphins visit Madeira waters too!
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | May 29, 2018
Madeira Islands post 4- Happy Dolphin Day :)
Posted in Wildlife in Madeira Islands Portugal | Tags: Short-beaked common dolphin
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | May 29, 2018
Madeira Islands post 3- Whale Museum- Cable Cars- Gardens
March 8, 2018 Celebrate International Women’s Day!!!!!!!! A year ago I was on Salt Cay of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a Humpback whales and sea turtles intern. Honored to meet that day the first woman Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson. They are still recovering from the hurricanes. Today I was at the Oceanic Observatory of Madeira (OOM) with women from Portugal, Australia, France, and Belguim, we’re all cetacean geeks 😉 Last week I met women from Germany and China. Language and cultural differences, yet we all share mutual care and concern for all people, our oceanlife, our earthlife, and our homes. I am very grateful. Stormy, windy, rainy weather here has kept us grounded. Storm Emma did a lot of damage to some coastal businesses and rock falls throughout the island. We’re working on data processing of thousands of cetacean photos. I struggle with all the excel editing of sightings data and have even more appreciation for data processors!! March was in like a lion, out like a lamb? Hope we get back out on the water next week! There were short breaks in the weather. I toured the Whale Museum in Canical, and rode the cable car up to Monte, then another cable car to the Botanical Gardens. The Whale Museum had an exhibit about past whaling off Madeira, and an exhibit about current cetaceans and research contributed by the scientists I’m working with. A museum guide struck up a conversation with me and she shared her grandfather was a whaler back in the 1940’s. Jobs were few, you were either a fisher, whaler, canal worker, worked in the sugarcane and banana fields, or grape fields for wineries. Whaling crew got monthly salaries, the rest were unstable incomes depending on fish and crop yields. All jobs were very hard labor. The whaling crews made a meager, but dependable living, they didn’t get the wealth of the whaling ship owners and investors. Her mother was barefoot until she got her first pair of shoes at 16 years old. I asked her how she felt about tourism, it can be a mixed impact. She answered, “I have worked here for 4 years now, when I started I told my co-worker I am going to go talk to my friends. My co-worker said ‘I don’t see any of your friends?’ These people here, they are why I have a job and can make a living, they are my friends.” She was also educated about the cetaceans in her waters and their value now. She touched my heart 🙂 It is slow paced here, on island time, winter season, not too crowded, summer businesses closed, so I got a 6 passenger cable car all to myself to go up the mountain and see the gardens! Tho there were sun breaks there was still wind and gusts rockin and rollin the cable car that had me literally singing out loud to myself ‘Keep Breathing’. Cable company wouldn’t sell me return ticket, if wind increased they shut down. But I could bus, taxi, or walk back down the mountain. I could see the potential in the gardens, but majority of plants and trees dormant, they do have seasons here. I admit I’m spoiled by the Butchart Gardens, but glad I went and made it thru the cable car thrill rides 🙂 Hope all are well. Greeting here is a light air kiss on each cheek, I kinda like that 🙂
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | May 29, 2018
Madeira Islands post 2- Porto Santo Island Tour
February 25, 2018 These islands remind me in ways of the San Juans! All’s going well, went thru training, got out twice so far sighting cetaceans!! from the ferry- Funchal Madeira to Porto Santo Island similar size and population of San Juan, and Porto Santo gets more sun than Madeira as the mountains catch the clouds! Now we have wind, rain storms coming in, so grounded til it clears. I know, I know many of you are freezing and have snow! It is colder here than I expected, glad I brought layers. I did wander the zig zaggy narrow cobblestone streets looking for another pair of leggings and gloves, as even tho we’re in first class on the ferry- woohoo! we are surveying from the upper outer deck and my fingers froze on the first trip. I found a nice lightweight pair of gloves, warm fingers now, and admired the buildings, stonework, cathedrals, and gardens along my walks, even if I did get lost, I found my way home. The levada- water canals system here is amazing- watch episode 2 of Islands of the Future on netflix, it’s about Madeira Island. I think of the levada flowing thru Funchal to the Atlantic Ocean as a river, and my landmark to find my way back to if I get lost. The road to where I’m staying is uphill, it’s steep all over these islands, sometimes I walk it, other times I take the bus. People are friendly and helpful in this big city of Funchal. Our, my co-worker Tara and I, on our first trip to Porto Santo with Annalisa- a former volunteer to show us the protocol, who knows a local savvy tour and snorkel guide- Matias, who took us on a whole tour of Porto Santo Island. We got the back stories, off the beaten path, lots of laughs, and some high speed travel, spins, and turns in his toyota. He said he was a rally car racer 😉 We are going to do a snorkel tour with him, he knows where the octopus are 🙂 Great fun and entertainingly educational to see and hear the local perspective. We have a layover on Porto Santo that gives us time to also process our data. Click photo to see larger photos. The first 5 photos are of Funchal, the rest are of Porto Santo. Hope all is well!!
Posted in Wildlife in Madeira Islands Portugal | Tags: Porto Santo Island Portugal
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | March 8, 2018
Madeira Islands Portugal post 1
The last few years during wintertime I have been doing whale, dolphin, and sea turtle internships around the world. I am attracted to islands and peninsulas, migrating on my cetacean quest to wherever they are, grateful for the opportunities!
February 14, 2018 Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m at Funchal Madeira Island, Portugal, helping out research documenting all cetaceans sighted on their ferry route from Funchal to Porto Santo Island and back.
Posted in Wildlife in Madeira Islands Portugal | Tags: Funchal Madeira Island
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | December 21, 2017
2017 Reflections
Looking back at 2017 such overwhelming events and times of despair. Our endangered Southern Resident orca now only 76 individuals and the least amount of sightings here in the Salish Sea in 43 years of research. Southern Resident orca Lolita-Tokitae still in captivity although public support is expanding to bring her home.
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | January 2, 2017
Eternal J2 Granny
http://www.whaleresearch.com/j2
We may not have been part of hers, (aside from impacts) and folks may not understand, but J2 Granny and her clan, tribe, are a part of our human Orca culture and society. Beings we are elated to experience glimpses of their culture, society, communication, relationships, oceanic lives. They have full, complex, emotional lives, with larger brains and development than we have, without destroying themselves or their ecosystems.
Why are we humans destroying each other, other beings, and our own ecosystems? Why are those of us beyond day to day survival so focused on just ourselves- humans? Aren’t our lives rich, extraordinary, creative, meaningful, because of the tapestry of all beings on earth?
Today the Center for Whale Research annouced J2 Granny MIA- presumed dead. Estimated to be 74 to 105 years old. (I hope her previously collected samples will be analyzed by NOAA appointed laboratories to establish her age.)
J2 Granny was the leader, the wise elder, the Grand Matriarch (and great-great grandmother) of the community-clan-tribe of Southern Resident Killer Whales- Orca.
Who will lead now? L25 Ocean Sun is the next eldest, thought to be mother of L Tokitae-Lolita (last survivor of captures from SRKW), she has no other surviving offspring.
Then a large gap in age with the surviving Orca of 78 + 1 today.
The experience and knowledge that goes with Granny, hopefully lives on in her tribe and us.
J2 Granny my inspiring favorite whale.
Nature may have taken her course, but devastating none the less. Somehow I thought J2 Granny would be immortal. Not in body, but yes in spirit, hold her in my heart always.
I relate her to my own family, my own father, friends, tribe.
J2 Granny was the first free Orca that looked at me, eye to eye connecting of spirits from other worlds. That was shortly after I began this career, I felt bonded to her. No wonder I feel devastated, and by all the Orca losses. I feel like I’ve lost dear friends.
Interconnections and interdependence between all life on earth should be part of essential education in schools and humans along with reading writing arithmetic.
Nature Basics 101.
Posted in Salish Sea San Juan Islands
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | November 8, 2016
Resiliency
November 8, 2016
Regardless of tonight’s United States political election results, I still believe in resiliency. Resiliency of humanity and best human spirit in caring for each other and all our shared life on earth. Tho I must say other animal matriarchal societies like orca and elephants are excellent examples!
I am sad to report since my last post that J28 Polaris and her 10 month old son J54 Dipper are gone. Our endangered Southern Resident orca whales need our collective resiliency and help. The Center for Whale Research held a press conference October 28, 2016 announcing this and the following obituary http://www.whaleresearch.com/j28
When I heard the news, I also learned all 35 members of Lpod were in tight groups swimming together down Haro Strait, along with Pacific white-sided dolphins, sporadic visitors. A bit uncanny as Lpod families are rarely sighted all together, especially this time of year. Jpod and Kpod were up north in the Salish Sea. Perhaps they had all gathered and grieved. I went out to the Westside Land Bank property and sat and absorbed the grace of the whales, the crystal clear air, soothing my heartache. As I walked back up the trail, a wildflower dandelion growing out of the harsh windswept rocky habitat caught my eye and reminded me of the resiliency of undisturbed, cared for nature.
Land Bank Dandelion
Mount Rainier about 90 miles away
Lpod Olympic Mountains
L41 Mega oldest male at 39 years old
Lpod
Lpod
Lpod
Lpod
Lpod
Pacific white-sided dolphins
Posted in Salish Sea San Juan Islands | Tags: dolphins, Haro Strait, Killer Whales, L-Pod, Orca Whales, Salish Sea, San Juan Island, Strait of Juan de Fuca
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | October 26, 2016
Reflections
Going through photos and thoughts of experiences over the last few months, I realize they focus on sightings of nature and free life. But it is about sharing all this with people and their reactions. Maybe in the future I should include more people in photos too! I am filled with gratitude and honor for all the fellow advocates and opportunities to continue to learn science, present on the ferries, represent at events, participate with organizations, work and volunteer by sea and by land. People come to these islands from all around the world! Just this year- from all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Russia, England, Europe, Australia, Japan! Seeing the joy in their eyes, indelible memories, becoming aware of our positive and negative impacts, given tools and actions they can participate in, I do believe people can and will choose to live a bit more caring and respectful of all life forms.
Today there is grave concern about J28 Polaris, as she started looking emaciated in August, and her son J54 Dipper still nurses and looks smaller than normal. With the losses of 2 neonates, L-95 Nigel, and J14 Samish, this reinforces the dire straits these chinook-king salmon dependent endangered Southern Resident orca are in. Please care and attend one of these meetings, submit your comments to restore the salmon these orca so desperately need, and continue to call the White House 202-456-1111 asking President Obama to issue an Executive Order to breach-remove enough of the 4 lower Snake River dams. http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2016/feds-announce-hearings-for-public-to-weigh-in-on-lower-snake-river-dam-removal
Food First For Survival (Hydration also comes from their food – not from sea water)
J28 Polaris with son J54 Dipper
September 22, 2016 Wedding Reception Whales
Today, our dear fellow mariners, naturalists, sea life advocates got married on their sailboat, then continued with a reception at Lime Kiln Point State Park, aptly also known as Whale Watch Park, since the groom predicted whales would come by at 4pm, and he was right!! Our beloved Southern Resident orca came south down Haro Strait with the ebb tide and slack water. First the L54’s porpoising- speed swimming with purpose! Later some J’s and K’s through sunset. Maybe they got the invite to come by and join the celebration 🙂 I think the eagle enjoyed watching the festivities too.
September 18, 2016 September Southern Resident Orca
It’s difficult to pinpoint what about September is so special here in the Salish Sea. Knowing the orca will be sighted less as they travel further to find their food? (diminishing salmon) The softer light, and crisp clear air of autumn? The unusual sightings of other sea life? Out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca for a sunset trip, the cloudy sun dappled sky showed the exhalations of whales! NOAA researchers were attempting to get breath samples of Southern Resident orca, from some members of all 3 pods that were in the area. The advanced technology now helps analyze health and pathology of cetaceans. Just hearing the breath and seeing the orca swim about brought grins and squeals by our passengers, no matter the few drops of rain, followed by double rainbows and dramatic sunset!
September 14, 2016 Kpod Haro Strait
Out at Westside Land Bank property- preserved and accessible to the public, an evening from 5pm to 6:30pm to be thankful to see Kpod orca coming down Haro Strait with slack water after a flooding tide. They were spread out, foraging with tail fluke and pectoral fin lobs, and always awing breaches!
August 8, 2016 Transients-Bigg’s Whales in San Juan Channel
Busy whales, T36, T36B’s, T38, T99’s hunting right along the west coast of Lopez Island, then mid channel and over to Griffin Bay. Lots of tail fluke slaps, spyhops, and back stroke swimming!
August 1, 2016 Transient-Bigg’s Whales in Canada
Active whales outside of Active Pass in the Strait of Georgia! T34’s, T37, T37B’s families successfully, cooperatively together hunting Harbor porpoise, plowing by the boats!!
July 31, 2016 Heart of Summer Sail
Sailing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on a beautiful, calm, sunny summer afternoon and evening, catching the last of a flood tide, then slack water made glass like conditions and extended visibility. Hoping orca were still in the area, a family that had been to my Baja gray whale camp many years ago, had no expectations, just happy to be out on the Salish Sea. About 6pm we saw blows off of Eagle Cove and respectfully approached, shutting down the engine. J16 Slick and her 2 year old daughter J50 Scarlet, and J28 Polaris with her kids- J46 Star and 7 month old son at the time J54 Dipper, seemed to be milling, resting, and foraging. There were some spyhops, and J50 Scarlet did some tail fluke slaps on the water. We could see other orca further out in the strait, so we put the hydrophone in the water to see if they were vocalizing. They were, interesting that some sounded like Kpod calls tho we hadn’t sighted any Kpodders! Then J50 Scarlet came right over to the boat, turned on her side and looked up at each of us. She then mouthed the hydrophone! We could hear the muffle!! J16 Slick approached as- come over here! and J50 Scarlet rejoined her mother. The other 3 of J16 Slick’s kids and 1 grandson were there, son J26 Mike was much further out in the strait. The whales slowly meandered southeast at about 7:30pm as we sailed back with the sun setting light, and treasured nature connections.
July 28, 2016 Patos Island
Great to go hike Patos Island, part of the marine parks and one of the most northeastern islands of the San Juans. See a different view where Boundary Pass meets the Strait of Georgia, a mighty confluence of water! Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island, and curious birds. That looks like a whale tail cloud on Mt Baker!
July 21, 2016 Superpod 5
A week long gathering of folks from around the world to learn and share science and action for our orca and all cetaceans, topped off at Lime Kiln Point State Park- aka Whale Watch Park. Spectacular evening filled with music, Jpod and Lpod orca!! A family of whales stayed in front of the lighthouse, in the calm flooding tide and slack waters from 6:00pm to 9:30pm. They were rolling at the surface showing pectoral fins, and doing headstands- showing tail flukes. Southern Resident orca were all over Haro Strait, I counted 10 breaches! Spyhopping, tail fluke lobing- splashing the water, hopefully feasting on salmon. The lighting was surreal with storm clouds approaching, rain, thunder, lightning, and rainbows over the Olympic Mountains, yet rays of sunset shined on our magical time and place. Did the whales feel our caring intentions, hear the music and our delight? They inspire us.
Random Photos
2016-9-4-southbeach-overlook-urban-fox
2016-8-25-coast-salish-reef-net-totem-and-salmon-story-boards-at-english-camp
2016-8-9-anacortes-ship-harbor
2016-7-26-rabbit-anacortes-ship-harbor
2016-7-14-great-blue-heron-in-tree-anacortes-ship-harbor
2016-6-19-my-backyard-interspecies-interaction
Posted in Salish Sea San Juan Islands | Tags: Breach 4 lower Snake River dams, breaches, Canada, endangered, headstand, J Pod, J28 Polaris, K-pod, Killer Whales, L-Pod, Lime Kiln Point, marine birds, Orca Whales, pectoral slaps, percussive behaviors, porpoising, Salish Sea, Salmon, San Juan Channel, San Juan Island, spy hop, Strait of Juan de Fuca, tail lob, tail slaps, Transients, vocalizations
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | July 16, 2016
Make Friends With Whales
July 13, 2016
A wonderful sunny summer Wednesday to see some Jpodders dancing the Westside waltz- traveling up and down San Juan Island, hopefully they are finding enough Chinook-King salmon to sustain their families. J14’s heading south, sighted by Sentinel Island about 3:30pm with more Orca out in Haro Strait. As the groups swam toward Henry Island, one whale breached! Then back floated with pectoral fins waving in the air! Hello! The sea was calm and pond like, since the high tide had ended and tide was now minimal, about a 1/3 of a foot of ebbing water. At about 4pm I am once again revered to see Matriarch, Wise Elder of the Southern Resident clan- J2 Granny steadily swimming south, with her adopted orphan L87 Onyx further out in the strait, but keeping pace.
On my ferry talks, kids ask the most imaginative questions! This week, after a young boy patiently listened to information I was sharing, he asked me “How do we make friends with whales?” I paused for a moment, then answered we make sure they have enough food, clean water, and don’t bother them. Keep telling about whales- their stories. Play music they like may be a way to communicate? I explained some of Jim Nollman’s work, and my friendly fun experiences with Orca, Gray and Humpback whales.
Whales and dolphins make friends with us, wish I had remembered parts of this quote; “To the dolphin alone, nature has given that which the best philosophers seek: friendship for no advantage…it is a genial friend to all and has helped mankind.” Plutarch
Hello Breach!
Grand Matriarch J2 Granny
Adopted Orphan L87 Onyx
Posted in Salish Sea San Juan Islands | Tags: breaches, dolphins, Haro Strait, J Pod, Killer Whales, Orca Whales, Salish Sea, San Juan Island
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | June 19, 2016
Spring Whales Spring Salmon?
Lots of Bigg’s-Transient Killer Whales, the Orca that hunt other marine mammals for meals, and Humpback Whales here in the Salish Sea.
Not so much of our beloved, endangered Pacific Northwest Southern Resident Orca who depend on Chinook-King Salmon to survive.
Where are the Whales? Where are the Salmon is the answer.
June is declared Orca Awareness Month by Washington and Oregon:
Friday June 24, 2016 many of us are gathering for a rally in Seattle at Westlake Park at 3pm, to increase awareness of the plight of endangered Salmon and Orca along with 137 other species that need these Salmon. The rally coincides with President Obama’s visit with Governor Inslee. We are asking President Obama to issue an Executive Order to breach- take down enough of the obsolete, we taxpayers fund, 4 lower Snake River dams to restore free passage to these Salmon that historically were our nation’s largest Salmon runs. Breaching these dams is also economically better for us and the region!
You can help!
* Join us- https://www.facebook.com/events/1761148114098928/
* Keep calling the White House- 202-456-1111 Ask for this Executive Order!
* Wear Black and White on Friday June 24, 2016 and share public support!
2016-5-21 Bigg’s-Transient Killer Whales
2016-5-21 Bigg’s-Transient Killer Whales
2016-5-21 Bigg’s-Transient Killer Whales
2016-5-21 Bigg’s-Transient Killer Whales
2016-5-21 Bigg’s-Transient Killer Whales
2016-5-21 Biggs-Transient Killer Whales
2016-5-22 Big Mama Humpback
2016-6-5 Orca Lpodder
2016-6-5 Orca Lpodder
2016-6-5 Orca Lpodder
2016-6-5 Orca Lpodder
2016-6-5 Orca Lpodder
2016-6-5 Orca Lpodders
2016-6-5 Orca Lpodders
2016-6-5 Bald Eagle Olympic Mountains
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | April 9, 2016
Intense Extreme Adventure Costa Rica!!!
The Month of March 2016
Drake Bay, Southern Pacific Ocean of Costa Rica, and the Osa Peninsula described by National Geographic as intense: “the most biologically intense place on earth!” Costa Rica was on my ‘living list’ for a long time. Scarlet Macaws captured my attention since I was a little girl. One of their last habitats is this area in Costa Rica. I brought and wore my Scarlet Macaw earrings I’ve had for decades. Their daily community gatherings were a highlight of my trip. Mesmerized by their striking beauty, lifelong pair bonds, and constant ‘caws’. I could hear them coming long before I saw them and wondered if they were chattering or squabbling. Probably some of both, they are territorial.
I started on one end of Drake Bay, then went to Drake Bay town- Agujitas. Grateful to connect, support, and tour with environmentally aware, sustainable minded, experienced, wise, local generations owning and operating hotels and true ecotourism. Adventures abound in Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park, and Cano Island. Support local people who are stewards of place.
On my journey, along the way, mislead, cut, bruised, melting, lost, scared, sick- the yin of the yang- swimming warm clear blue radiating ocean full of life, horseback riding rivers and hiking waterfalls, tropical slice of earth like I was in a terrarium, going through mangroves hundreds of feet tall, hiking rainforest jungles, flying the canopy, trying new foods, snorkeling with turtles, rays, sharks, and fish. Day and night symphony and chorus of birds, birds, birds, monkeys, geckos, reptiles, insects, thunder, rain, wind, ocean surf. Meeting Bottlenose dolphins, Pantropical Spotted dolphins, and the multitude of sea and land critters outweighed the yin. Yes intense biodiversity!
When I return home, I see there is a British ITV show- Davina McCall: Life at the Extreme, about some of the most extreme places on our planet. Episode 4 is about the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.
Where I lived for 3 weeks. I feel better. I did “extreme” too.
Early to bed 9pm, early to rise 5am. There’s a reason we all go still by 1-2pm, brutal sun until sunset right before 6pm. Between 8 to 9 degrees from the equator, about 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. Everyday. Year round. The rains are life supporting, cleansing, refreshing.
Predator and prey in constant survival dance. Relentless heat and humidity. I bake and drip away in Costa Rica and slap on another layer of sunscreen and bug bite repellent. Weather forecast says with humidity the heat index is over 105°, then 107° 108° 113° 114° the following days. Twenty-two days like living in a sweat lodge- but it can be detoxing, right? Yes extreme for me!
I learned the unexpected, the unplanned. My dreams, goals, hopes, all the sea and land earthlings I met went beyond the beyonds, a grand adventure seared into me. Pura Vida!
Enjoy the photos and video!
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- San Jose Airport on to Drake Bay Notice the horses grazing by the runway
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- First Scarlet Macaw I Met 🙂
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- Mantled Howler Monkey
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- Mantled Howler Monkey
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- Mantled Howler Monkey
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- Mantled Howler Monkey
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- Mantled Howler Monkey
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- House Gecko looks like a painting!
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- White-throated Capuchin
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- White-throated Capuchins
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- White-throated Capuchins crossing the trail
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- White-throated Capuchin
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- What kind of tree is this??
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- House Gecko Buddy
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- House Gecko Buddy
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- Bottlenose Dolphins
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- Bottlenose Dolphins
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- Bottlenose Dolphins
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- Bottlenose Dolphin by Cano Island
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- Bottlenose Dolphin
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- Bottlenose Dolphin
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- Bottlenose Dolphin
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- Bottlenose Dolphin
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- Bottlenose Dolphin
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- Bottlenose Dolphin (dorsal fin looks like orca, aye?:)
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- I was told that’s a Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Yacht
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- Who’s that flying with the Scarlet Macaws??
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- I was told that’s a Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Yacht
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- Scarlet Macaw
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- Green Iguana
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- Green Iguana
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- Green Iguana
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- A Pandemonium of Parrots at sunset
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- Great Curassow (looks and sounds like wild turkey!)
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- Black-mandibled Toucan
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- Black-mandibled Toucan
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- White-nosed Coati crossing Corcovado National Park Airstrip
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- Baird’s Tapir
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- Whooo who am I??
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- Spider Monkey
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- Scarlet Macaw
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- Big Green Iguana
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- Big Green Iguana
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- Mama Cow on Drake Bay Airstrip
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- Cow Calf on Drake Bay Airstrip
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- Drake Bay Sierpe River on to San Jose
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- Hemingway Inn San Jose
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- Hemingway Inn San Jose
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- Hemingway Inn San Jose
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- Hemingway Inn San Jose
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- Hemingway Inn San Jose
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- Hemingway Inn San Jose
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- Breakfast Buddy likes butter and jam Hemingway Inn San Jose
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- Breakfast Buddy Hemingway Inn San Jose
The video is the view from my room in Agujitas overlooking Drake Bay one fine sunset
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | April 9, 2016
March 2015 Gray Whales GoPro Videos and Slide Show
Howard Garrett of Orca Network filmed and shared these great videos of our visit last March 2015 with the Gray Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon Mexico. Enjoy!
Fellow Salish Sea Naturalist Michelle Mercer Malcolmson also captured the joy of Campo Cortez and the Gray Whales, wildlife, people, and shared a heart touching slide show. Enjoy!
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | October 16, 2015
Glorious Life in the Salish Sea
Friday October 16, 2015
It’s been an extraordinary time here in the Salish Sea. The diversity of wildlife; five babies born and surviving in the Endangered Southern Resident salmon dependent Orca community, of today 81 whales + 1 Tokitae/Lolita- the last survivor of captures from this too small community. Let’s all work to bring her home. Let’s restore salmon and breach the 4 lower Snake River dams. Transient-Biggs mammal eating Killer whale families are consistently in these waters, Humpbacks whales are regular visitors, and a Fin whale has been here over a month!
I am grateful for everybody’s endless efforts and the opportunities to share these awe-inspiring experiences, our ecosystems, all the challenges these other life beings face, and all of the choices and actions we humans can and are doing to restore and care for our interconnected, interdependent place of living. All of our individual efforts do and are making a difference. We are at a pivotal, crucial time, let’s strive for respectful coexistence. Thank You. My optimism continues.
“The opposite of courage is not cowardice; it is conformity. Even dead fish can go with the flow” Jim Hightower
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day, saying I will try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher
A picture can tell a thousand words, I hope some of my photos tell the story, hold the moment. I’d be happy to answer (or find the answer) to any questions, and share all the ways you can help our ocean planet home.
Posted in Salish Sea San Juan Islands | Tags: Fin Whale, Humpback Whale, J Pod, K-pod, Killer Whales, L-Pod, Orca Whales, Salish Sea, San Juan Island, Transients
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | October 16, 2015
Transient-Bigg’s T49 Family
Friday September 25, 2015
Mammal dining Killer whales foraging through Spieden Channel, taking care of their little one. The exotic, imported Mouflon sheep on Spieden Island are ‘rutting’- battling over who gets the females!
Posted in Salish Sea San Juan Islands | Tags: foraging, Killer Whales, mating, Orca Whales, Salish Sea, San Juan Island, Transients
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | October 16, 2015
A Tale Tail Fluke Day!
Tuesday September 15, 2015
The T137 Transient-Biggs Killer whales (and marine birds) dining on a Steller sea lion out by Smith Island! And several Humpback whales in the same general area, going about their business feeding on forage fish! Can you tell the tail flukes apart?
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | October 16, 2015
Second Largest Whale = Fin Whale!!
Wednesday September 9, 2015
September in the Salish Sea is my favorite time. Over the years, the most diversity of cetaceans and behaviors- this September and sunsets are spectacular too! In the past several years, Fin whales came into these waters dead, struck by ships. So truly a privilege to meet this young Fin whale feeding out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca by McArthur Bank, hopefully a sign forage fish are increasing.
Posted in Salish Sea San Juan Islands | Tags: Fin Whale, foraging, marine birds, rare sighting, Salish Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | October 16, 2015
T65A’s Transient-Bigg’s by Orcas Island
Wednesday September 9, 2015
Transient-Bigg’s mammal eating Killer whales- Orcinus orca, by Orcas Island. Family side by side! See the photo where we’re looking eye to eye?!!
Posted in Salish Sea San Juan Islands | Tags: flukes, foraging, headstand, Killer Whales, Orca Whales, Orcas Island, porpoising, Salish Sea, tail lob, tail slaps, Transients
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | October 16, 2015
K’s and L’s Orca by Henry Island
Friday September 4, 2015
Sunny Slack Waters!
Posted in Salish Sea San Juan Islands | Tags: foraging, Haro Strait, K-pod, Killer Whales, L-Pod, Orca Whales, Salish Sea, San Juan Island
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | October 16, 2015
Like Mike! J16’s Orca
Monday August 24, 2015
Little sister Scarlet J50 with mama Slick J16 and big bro Mike J26, by Henry Island.
Posted in Salish Sea San Juan Islands | Tags: foraging, J Pod, Killer Whales, marine birds, Orca Whales, Salish Sea, San Juan Island
Posted by: onboardtourswhales | October 16, 2015
K’s and L’s Orca by Saturna Island
Sunday August 16, 2015
Cooperation and Synchronize!
Posted in Salish Sea San Juan Islands | Tags: breaches, Canada, cartwheel, flukes, foraging, frisky, K-pod, Killer Whales, L-Pod, mating, Orca Whales, porpoising, Salish Sea, spy hop
OnBoard Tours Whales 