Best. Last. Day. Ever.

Seems like I have been talking about our season wrapping up for a while now.  Yesterday was a fine day on the whale watch boat - I was thinking it would have been good to end my season with a day like that.

I did some maintenance on the boat this morning before our trip.  One last chance to make sure she is running and breathing good.  No issues with flights being delayed.  One couple on the boat today had been canceled by Kenmore (the seaplane company) yesterday - Joan was able to get them on today.  All our boats today were full.  My guests were all checked in on time.  Sarah, my naturalist today, brought them to the boat.  On time.

There were good whale reports today - I had my choice of three directions to get to whales.  The weather was chilly, but sunny.  Very light wind... that makes a difference in what direction I decide to go.  Everything was lining up just right for this to be a good day to finish up the season.

Heading south towards Cattle Pass, the whales I was going for in Haro Strait were moving towards us - a few miles offshore.  That will eliminate a lot of the private boats.  The water was looking good...

This group of whales turned out to be a few miles west of Salmon Bank, outside of Cattle Pass.  There was one other boat on the scene - he stayed until we got there.  Our first views...

The whales turned north, leaving us on the east side of them - it made for some nice silhouettes...

That is one of our other Friday Harbor boats above - we were the only two with these whales...

I moved us to the other side, for a change of lighting.  Our other Friday Harbor boat came on the scene...

A nice tail slap and a spy hop... I could see that I would be taking a lot of photos this last day: the whales were active, but not moving much... it gave us the opportunity to view with the engine off (my favorite way to take in the experience)...

A few small private boats came on the scene, but most were being respectful of the animals and staying the proper distance.  Our guests were ohhhhing and ahhhhing with each surfacing.  There were whales spread out, so no tight groups of boats - this is turning out to be a wonderful last day...

Another Friday Harbor boat (not ours) joined us - the whales started moving again: you can see them close to Odyssey (above).

We were shut down - the whales changed direction, getting closer.  I backed our boat away.  They were closing on us faster than I could move back...

Close - unintentionally cropped the whale on the left (above).

Getting a little frisky (above) - J and L Pods (they don't mate within their own pod).

Oh-oh... they turned once again and are coming right at us...

Mostly underwater, right by the boat...

Above water vocalizations, right next to us!  The first mate told the guests that this was my last day for the season - one of our guests said, "They came to tell you 'Good-bye', Captain Jim."  I'd by lying if I said that didn't leave a lump in my throat.  Sarah was giddy - she said, "I have never heard their vocalizations above the water before - this is amazing!"

Yep.  I had backed away from the whales a couple times, but this time they had turned abruptly and moved at us fast.  Nothing we could do but take it all in.  I am pretty sure the guests on that side of the boat got some whale spit on them as the Orcas moved by so close.

I let the guests know that we would sit with the engine off and say our good-byes to the whales as they moves southwest...

I had the engine off for 1/3 of our trip, enjoying the sights and sounds with the whales; time to start heading back.  We stopped to check out the Stellar Sea Lions on the rocks on the way into Cattle Pass...

For all the good karma lining up: we had the guests back right on schedule - they were delighted with their afternoon on the water.  Yeah, me, too.  Sarah and I took the boat around to the fuel dock.  Last time for that, too.  More good timing: we were back to our dock seconds before Clipper III left the Spring Street Pier (they kick out nasty prop wash) and before the Washington State Ferry came in.  I could not have imagined a better day to wrap up the season.

Back to the office where I said a few good-byes to staff before heading for home.  The boss said, "You had an incredible day out there - I scripted all that for your last day to help with 'recruiting' next year."

All about the timing.

Joan got home shortly after I did; we went out for supper to celebrate the end to the season.  It was a clear night as we drove back to the motorhome - it is going to be another chilly night... time for us to move on.

Now, I can let myself get my head into packing up and heading out.  I may take a day or two off from posting here... this is a happy boy with the way this last day unfolded.