The Day began with luscious blue skies and scrumpous warm temperatures, a perfect day for wildlife watching in the San Juans. We were about to depart the port of friday harbor at 2pm in search of Orcinus Orca (killer whale). Earlier that day there had been sightings of our resident pods, J, K & L on the west end of San Juan, however by early afternoon they had been seen heading out the straight of Juan De fuca and the boats do not head out that way. Fortunately for us a small group of Transient Orcas (Marine Mammal eating whales) had been seen in the vicinity of Rosario Straight, so we headed in that direction. By the time we reached our destination near Blakely Island we had spotted a group of around 4 Whales. There were several other operators in the area as well including Cascadia Research from Olympia who study these whales and do tagging. The afternoon was eventful and we followed the whales as they traveled due west. Transients can have more erractic behavior than residents and can change direction at any time, so one moment we would see them on the three o'clock side of the boat an then suddenly they were appear on the 9' o'clock side... there was alot of spraying and you could hear breathing yet mostly they were traveling. At one point I looked up and noticed we were in my home territory between Orcas ferry landing and Shaw Island ferry landing which was amazing to me. We continued to follow the whales due west. We became very excited when we spotted a group of Harbor Seals hauled out on a rock just past Orcas... our anticpation was building at the possibility of a kill yet the Orcas continued to travel. Previously two days prior there had been two kills in the same area. Anyway, the day was very exciting for everyone. Transients are distinctively different for various reasons. They travel in much smaller pods, have a curved dorsal fin as opposed to more straight and have much more erractic behavior than our fish eating residents so I find this very interesting. Anyway, the day was a blessings and only the beginning of my two day birthday party with them.

Day 2-  On this day of my birth I was once again honored and blessed to be able to go out again. I have been in contact throughout the months with the Captain of Deer Harbor Charters here on Orcas about doing Naturalist work on the boat. Unfortuntately, the season was somewhat slow and they had a full returning crew so I didn't get out as previously hoped for. Last month I contacted the Captain again and he mentioned he might possibly need extra help in September and or October. So yesterday I was invited to go out on my beep-day and be a guest Naturalist (unpaid and a training session) which was great. So as were were loading guests onboard Captain T was in touch with the other operators for sightings.. there had been one resident sighting early, yet they had dissapeared so once again we had sightings of transients, yet this time way north up Georgia Straight all the way near Vancouver B.C. (Canada).. so we headed out for an hour and a half trip around 20 miles to our destination. The day was not as sunny, yet still comfortable with a fall chill in the air. All the sudden we spotted the other boats and then, a small group of around 4 Orcas... then to our amazment coming from the other direction 3 more whales. What were about to witnessed was truly a gift. This was a greeting ceremony where one pod greets another, the same for residents. Then the true excitement happened. Normally, Transients do not display much social behavior, yet they were starting to spyhop, breach and lob tail so I got really excited since I hadn't seen this yet. Then Captain T called out! "Sea Snake"! Sea Snake... this is a mythical slang for the Male Genetalia.. So what we got to see was a mating.. unreal... this behavior continued for the next half hour or so.. 2 of the whales mating... pectoral slaps, more breaching and spyhops.. it was so thrilling to me to be able too witness act of creation in nature and my day of birth... The ritual continued on and Captain T commented on that they were doing it for me on my b-day. Wow what a day I truly felt so blessed and hold such a wonderful memory of this.. I had to share...

Orca Blessings and Smiles from meee...

I found this photo as it resembles part of our scene from yesterday.

Seeking Co-hosts for my groups. I am looking for dedicated people who care about these subjects and are willing to be fairly active. Please write me at my e-mail or send me an introduciton as to why you want to co-host and a little about yourself. Explain your knowledge of the subject and send it to me.

I am looking to ad co-hosts for my groups and my intention is to have 5 total at all my groups. For those who are interested please e-mail me at my e-mail which is ravenskywolf8@gmail.com to let me know. share a little about why you want to co-hosts and how active you can be and little about your knowledge regarding the subject. I look forward to hearing back from you.

http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/Protect (protect Predators)

http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/Holianimal (Holistic Animal Guidance)

http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/donkeylove (Donkey Lovers)

http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/Corvidites (Ravens and Crows)





 

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Norway Has Begun Their Annual Whale Killing Season

Environment  (tags: animalwelfare, animalcruelty, endangered, protection, sadness, slaughter, suffering, wildanimals, wildlife, death, society, conservation, nature, oceans, whaling )

Raven
- 12 seconds ago - wspa-usa.org

You would think a Western country like Norway would be more heartfelt when it comes to cruelty of animals. Yet another season has begun. the First killed a Minke Whale Calf, another 1,052 to kill yet. See Story for more.

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