Minkes and eagle-palooza...

The resident Orcas are like Elvis: they have left the building.  And by building, I mean: the Salish Sea.  The last report on them had them moving west way out in Juan de Fuca.  I really hope they come back soon.  Very soon.

We have had a wonderful season with the resident Orcas.  So far.  On the rare days they weren't around, we have managed to find some transient Orcas.  Oh, on occasion, we have had to cover some miles to do it, but we have been very fortunate with our Orcas viewings this summer.  I do not take that for granted.

Today, there were no reports of Orcas.  Not north around the Frazier River.  Not west in Juan de Fuca.  No reports.  I was driving out of Roche Harbor today.  I decided to go north, hoping to find some transient Orcas.  No transient sightings today.  (Sigh)  The guests could tell we were working hard in our search.  We had some very nice people onboard on both trips today.

The first trip was a family charter.  Big family.  They were up for fun...

That is mostly grown-ups lying on the bow.  And, our naturalist visiting with them...

The second trip was not a charter, our regular scheduled outing.  More fun people...

Blissfully flat water.  We had to go north quite a ways to see a Minke; but it was a lovely trip with that water condition (especially after yesterday's "white water" trip).

And this one is for my Honey, 'cause she likes "sparkly water"...

That's what it looked like on the way home.  Lots of eagles both trips.  A Golden Eagle made a low pass right over the boat.  More bald eagles than I've seen this season.  Some very playful seals... fun for the guests to see, but I knew we weren't going to find transient Orcas with the seals out playing like they were today.

Reasonably warm.  Sunny.  Beautiful water.  A fine day to be out on a boat.  Only one thing would make it better.