Orca Whale in Mist
8/24/09 "A thick marine layer in Rosario Strait & the Strait of Juan de Fuca lead us into the interior of the San Juans. Once passing through Thatcher Pass we found blue sky and crystal clear visibility. Eventually we made our way south through Cattle Pass and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca where we found more fog. It's presence casted an eerie feel across the water as we searched for wildlife. We began noticing fish flying (Sockeye Salmon doing their standard 3 leaps)! Then they appeared, the sound of their exhalations carried to the ears of all on board as they surfaced...their beautiful black figures gliding through the water. We watched as a couple surfaced causing a huge school of Salmon began leaping out of their way in hopes of avoiding becoming their next meal. Magic. Their beauty was accented in the mystical setting as we watched the youngsters play in the bull kelp. Their white portions shining more brilliant than I've ever seen from above the water. We witnessed a handful of spyhops causing one to wonder what they thought of this low lying cloud above them, a number of bellyrolls, taillobes and even a couple of breaches!"
- Naturalist Kate Janes
