First Whales of the Year!

This morning while on Facebook, I was alerted that one of my friends was listening to whales on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone. Sure enough, I tuned in and after a brief moment was able to hear vocalizations loud and clear. Ran upstairs to the scope and began scanning the Haro Straits. After approximately 15 minutes, we were able to spot two large fins three or four miles offshore, headed north at an amazingly fast clip. It certainly looks like the boys have been growing this winter!!!! No photos- but it certainly sounds and looks like J pod is visiting the islands! My first whale sighting of 2009! Woo hoo!

A Day In The Life in The Puget Sound

With summer upon us (finally!) the San Juan Islands offer beautiful sights at every turn- albeit stunning wildlife or scenic vistas captured in the early morning, interlaced with misty fog coming in off the Haro Straits. Bailer Hill Road is one of two main travel routes connecting the south and north sides of San Juan Island.  A ride along the road from Friday Harbor in the early can often offer breathtaking views of the farms shrouded in fog highlighted by sun rays.

Traveling a bit further south on Cattle Point Road will take you to South Beach, just past American Camp- the history of which was covered in an earlier blog entry. South Beach is a pebbly stretch of (guessing here) about 2 miles or so- with public access to to driftwood strewn beaches leading towards Cattle Point Lighthouse.  Alive in the morning light, it is easy to find eagles and fox cavorting in the dewy grasses before the heat begins.

If you return along False Bay Road, you can find some enchanting views as well- young deer are often viewed here as well as great heron encounters at False Bay during low tide.  Be sure to check the  NOAA  Tide Tables before the venture- it is well worth the time.

If you find yourself traveling to the islands by boat, there is no lack in scenic locations in the San Juan Islands with fantastic seascape vantages. Yesterday, we visited Stuart Island to photograph the Turn Point Lighthouse. During the trip, we captured this juxtaposition- a beautiful sailboat with snow covered Mount Baker in the background. While the temps reached 85 degrees yesterday, it was a stunning sight to still see the snow caps just beyong the fluid waters.  Stuart Island's Turn Point Lighthouse is also pictured below.

Photographs tend to take themselves here- your skill level need not be professional, rest assured.  I can certainly attest!!  Summer is here and the Islands are alive- and there are many more months of opportunity awaiting! 

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The Orcas Visit For OrcaSing on San Juan Island

June is Orca Month! 

It is an extra-special month for the Southern Resident orca community, whose members who have lovingly followed the beloved icon of the Pacific Northwest and Puget Sound ever since man has shared these waters with them. Recent and significant declines in their population have led researchers, government agencies and concerned citizens to begin focusing on efforts to ensure the whales will be able to continue to thrive in their own habitat. Indicators show that between 1995 and 2001, the Southern Resident orca population declined by 20%, leading to their being listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in November of 2005.

June calls for increased focus on stewardship efforts to protect and preserve the Puget Sound for the Southern Residents.  Their habitat is a fragile one and the harm being done to them both directly and indirectly comes into focus- with many agencies sponsoring events to educate the public and highlight the current and future initiatives to save the whales. One of these events on San Juan Island is OrcaSing- an annual event cosponsored by People For Puget Sound, The American Cetacean Society, The Friends of the San Juans, The Whale Museum, The City Cantabile Choir, the Italico Brass Quntet, and The Whale Trail.

Last night, those gathered for the summer solstice presentation of OrcaSing, were not let down, as members of all three pods visited Lime Kiln State Park as if on cue for the ceremonies. We watched as the familiar fin of Ruffles, J-1, made a splash well off of Deadman's Bay, a cove just south of the light- as the chorus of the ceremony began. But then they turned...making the watchers wait out the pass for what seemed like forever. But when they did, while well offshore...it was a pass replete with breaches, cavorting- with all three pods represented- can you say electric energy? And luckily for those participating in OrcaSing, they were directly in the whales' path. By 8:30pm, the pass was over and the crowds thinned as the last fins could be seen on the horizon of a beautiful sunset.

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San Juan Island Lighthouses

San Juan Island is home to two of the most scenic lighthouses in the Puget Sound, namely the Lime Kiln Lighthouse and Cattle Point Lighthouse.

LIME KILN LIGHTHOUSE

Situated on the rocky shoreline on the west side of the island's Westside Road, Lime Kiln Lighthouse is a VERY popular whale-watching location. Visitors spend can spend the day watching orcas, porpoises, seals lions and river otters playing just offshore of the rocky point. Peak tourist season is May through September, with June and July being the most likely months to see whales.The lighthouse, built between 1914 and 1919, remains a significant navigational beacon for ships in the Haro Strait. Interpretive programs are offered by the Whale Museum with scheduled tours available during the summer months. The light derives its name from lime kiln operations back in the 1860's.

Lime Kiln remains the last major lighthouse constructed in Washington State. The lighthouse boasts a 38-foot concrete tower and fog signal building and was the last electrified light (in the 1940's). Automated in 1962, Lime Kiln Lighthouse is accessible through Lime Kiln State Park on the west side of San Juan Island.

CATTLE POINT LIGHTHOUSE

Cattle Point Lighthouse derives its name from the flocks of sheep and cattle that grazed in the area, owned by the Hudson Bay Company. The first light on Cattle Point, a simple brass lens lantern on a post, was established in 1888. Then, in 1912, the Navy added a navigational compass near the light on the south eastern side of the Island and the Cattle Point Lighthouse now became a significant tool for traveling in the dense fog which tends to accumulate at the point. Automated in the 50's, the lighthouse is located within the Cattle Point Interpretive Area, next to the San Juan National Historical Park off of Cattle Point Road.

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