The orca whale sightings have remained strong through the month of August, with frequent sightings of the 3 local pods (J, K & L pods), as well as transient orcas and minke whales. We are entering the final 2 weeks of our operating season, with our San Juan Whale Watching Tours ending on September 7th. However, our cruises to Victoria, on which we also see orca whales frequently, will continue through September 27th.
We seem to have hit the peak season for Orca Whale watching over the past two weeks, with frequent sightings of all 3 local pods (J, K and L pods). Yesterday (July we even saw what we call a "Superpod" - a gathering of all three local pods of Orca whales! With excellent weather forecast through the weekend, this is a great time to visit the San Juan Islands or Victoria, BC.
Eliza Island is the first stop we make on our San Juan Islands cruise to Friday Harbor aboard the Island Commuter 2. Now home to over 100 summer homes on the 141 acre island with only five year-round residents, this island has a storied history. Named after the daughter of Spanish Expedition Commander Francisco De Eliza in 1791, an interesting part of its history is the Consolidated Black Cat Company of James F. Wardner. Wardner’s resume is long and varied: rabbit raiser, miner, orange grower, pig farmer and owner of a cat ranch. His goal was to raise the felines on the isolated island and sell their pelts for $2 to compete with the sale of seal and otter furs that were so popular at that time. He even brought in a cat rancher by the name of Sam Weller to feed the cats and take care of them until their pelts were needed.
Needless to say, the ranch did not survive (although the number of unlucky cats before retirement is unknown) and the only remnant of black cats seen near this northern port is the eatery “Le Chat Noir” in Fairhaven.
The whale watching has been excellent over the last two weeks, with frequent Orca and Minke whale sightings. Just as impressive is the weather we have had, calm conditions in the islands and lots and lots of sun! Temperatures are supposed to sneak into the low 80’s this week, and will hopefully extend into our scheduled trips this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Now is a great time to visit the islands, or go whale watching, before the summer vacation crowds hit Bellingham and the San Juan Islands.
Today is the first day of operation for our San Juan Island Commuter service to the San Juan Islands (Eliza, Sinclair, Blakely, Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Island/Friday Harbor), as well as our whale watching tours from Friday Harbor. The weather is going to be great this weekend, with lots of sun and temperatures in the high 60’s to low 70’s. We have plenty of space available for our trips this Saturday and Sunday. If you would like to go out to the islands next weekend, we are filling up fast for the Memorial Day weekend holiday.
Those who are planning to travel outside of the U.S. but don’t yet have their passport are encouraged to attend the Passport Fair at the Bellingham main post office Saturday, March 28.
The event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 315 Prospect St.
People can have their passport pictures taken for $15. Adults will have to pay a $75 passport fee and $60 for any children under the age of 16. All applicants also must pay a $25 execution fee.
People will need to bring proof of citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or previously issued U.S. passport. A current driver’s license or Military I.D. is also needed to prove identity.
For information on other identification options or to download the passport application forms visit travel.state.gov.
Bellingham Cold Storage has a webcam with a great view of Bellingham Bay and Fairhaven (off in the distance). Note: The view will look better when you click through.
Each year the local Lions Club takes the Victoria Star 2 out into the San Juan Islands, bringing cheer to the kids in the San Juan Islands and Gulf Islands in British Columbia. This year they are set to go December 13th and 14th. Last year’s trip was filmed by Lions Club International - to see the video - click here.
This poem was written by one of the passengers aboard the Victoria Star last week:
Victoria Star Ship
Welcome aboard the Victoria Star Ship
We hope you are having a great trip
Although the day is cloudy and grey
We expect the sun to burn the clouds away
The waves are capped with white
There are no whales in sight
This is a really smooth ride
I am glad I have someone by my side
As we were crossing Bellingham Bay
The captain had a lot to say
We saw Guemes Island in the sea
This is where Free Willy 2 was set free
Our journey back will be at eight
We do not want to be late
There are plenty of islands in te sea
Too many today, for us to see
We go through a part of the Inland Passage
We do not stop even for a message
San Juan is a wild life refuge
The ship we are on is huge
As we are watching the sea
We see salmon swimming free
The captain of the ship
He is moving us at a fast clip
He is talking along the way
Showing us things of interest in the bay
There are shipping lanes here
All the ships stay clear
When to Victoria we draw near
Everyone is talking about what they see
Today, this is the life for me!
Sea gulls land in the water
They are not a part of this charter
Sea gulls looking for a meal
Some of them get a raw deal
We did not see any flying fish
I don’t know if they make a tasty dish
There is a place called Deception Pass
From the ship we see no bass
We passed a place where seals did lay
In the water they liked to play
Sailing in the Victoria Star is better than a ferry
Even with the day cloudy and dreary
McKay Harbor is full of ships
The wind outside the ship has quite a nip
The day was great for me
Plenty of things for me to see
This Island is new to me
I would like more to see
Next time I get a chance
I want more than a glance
The Orca sightings have been pretty good this month so far, with J & K pods being seen on a regular basis. On the one or two rare occasions we haven’t seen them this month, we have had sightings of minke whales, porpoise, bald eagles and a wide variety of sea birds. After a few days of so-so weather, it looks like summer is back, with plenty of sunshine in the forecast this week.
we even saw what we call a "Superpod" - a gathering of all three local pods of Orca whales! With excellent weather forecast through the weekend, this is a great time to visit the San Juan Islands or Victoria, BC.
The Black Cat Farm of Eliza Island
