The killer whale called the Orca (above) is what we were seeking to view in its natural habitat. Our long-time friends, Ed and Darlene Wall from San Jose, California, visited us last week, and so we went on the Victoria Clipper on a whale-watching excursion last Thursday. On the 2-1/2 hour search on the Clipper we did see several Orcas swimming in families -- all but one from the local "J" pod, but none as close as in the shot above, which was taken on a similar trip in 2008.
Above, we are approaching the Deception Pass Bridge at the north end of Whidbey Island on our way to where the whales frolic, mostly in the Strait of Juan de Fuca adjacent to the San Juan Islands. The area just past the bridge was shrouded in fog for several miles until we got out in open water.
After the whale-watching, we pulled into Friday Harbor to have a late lunch. Coincidentally, the Washington State ferry, the Yakima, was just pulling into her berth, presumably on her way to Sydney, BC, near Victoria.
Above are Ed & Darlene making their way back to the Clipper after a short shopping jaunt following lunch.
The actual harbor at Friday Harbor bustles with activity all the time. As in any Washington State harbor, you'll find a diverse variety of locally owned vessels.
Just as we were getting ready to board the Clipper for our return voyage to Seattle, the movie-famous schooner, Spike Africa, chugged back toward her berth after an afternoon of charter sailing with a load of tourists. Built by well known maritimer, Bob Sloan, she is functionally elegant and provides an unforgettable sailing adventure for all who climb aboard.
2 comments:
I was on the same trip!!!!!
I love that area of the country. I've done a bit of fishing up there back in the day. Sounds like the Walls and Koskelas had a good time.
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