By Captain Ken Rea
Rhinoceros Auklet
We saw some beautiful Salish Sea birds today including BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS, CORMORANTS, BALD EAGLES, RHINOCEROS AUKLETS, PIGEON GULLEMOTTS and more.
Soon after we left, we got to see Vanta as she crossed the border into Canada. I am looking forward to when this political standoff goes away and the USA and Canada learn to play nice again This water border closure hurts us both. In all the years we have been doing the transboundary whale watching, we have never had to touch land on the other side. It is just a political mess.
Alopecia Harbor Seal
We saw an ALOPECIA HARBOR SEAL, which is one with a skin disorder. It just has wrinkly skin and no fur. A very unusual sight for us here.
We saw a BALD EAGLE feeding on a seal pup carcass. The eagles nab a few of the newborn pups while they are small enough to fly away with.
Mouflon Sheep eating kelp and seaweed.
On my feature picture, you can see the GOOSE BARNACLES attached to the fluke of Vanta. This is a common sight to see the GOOSE BARNACLES on HUMPBACK WHALES.
I captured a few shots of the MOUFLON SHEEP on the water’s edge eating kelp and seaweed. I know there are nutrients in the kelp, just not sure if that is why they are eating it or because they like the salty taste in their mouth.
Captain Ken Rea
Ken Rea, owner and operator of the Spirit of Orca, is also the tour guide, photographer and naturalist on his Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours in the Salish Sea, San Juan Island, Washington.
Photos by Ken Rea
To learn more about Captain Ken, visit https://spiritoforca.com
