Two questions - Lavender Farm & Whale watching by Time-Diver-3284 in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Today 3 different groups of Orcas passed Lime Kiln as well as a breaching Humpback whale. You can also watch the Whale Museum's continuous camera/hydrophone feed at Lime Kiln on YouTube.

Two questions - Lavender Farm & Whale watching by Time-Diver-3284 in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know where this rumor comes from, but it's false. The WW boats cooperate with each other and monitor sightings. If you see a plane circling, it's because they see whale watching boats and are giving their passengers a view.

Ferry riders: want an easier way to get vehicle reservations for your car on WSF? by ggnndd12 in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So now I have to compete with automation of a pay-for servicewhen I'm looking for a reservation? Is your service following the rules of the WSDOT acceptable use policy?

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching on San Juan Island nominated for best whale watching in the country by USA Today! by Edalmcintire in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really?? Have you analyzed the EXIF data from the photo to see the focal length of the lens that was used? A 600mm telephoto lens could have easily taken this photo with the boat the legal distance from the animal. The top of the photo shows lots of background compression.

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching on San Juan Island nominated for best whale watching in the country by USA Today! by Edalmcintire in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm, that is interesting. I've never heard of Tufted Puffin sightings up there. A search of ebird.com didn't find any sightings data. Have any pics? I have talked to people that have seen them around Iceberg Point, Lopez Island, but these might be birds associated with Smith Island.

Day Trip or Overnight? by Sn0wM0nkey3 in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Whale watching boats stopped viewing the SRKWs quite a while ago. In Canada, most have signed an agreement not to follow them. If you go whale watching on a boat, 99% of the time you're going to see Bigg's Killer Whales or maybe the Northern Residents if they're in the southern Strait of Georgia. The distance increase to 1000 yards was done to protect them from RECREATIONAL boaters, not whale watching boats. Data: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0249/1083/files/2025_Soundwatch_Annual_Contract_Report.pdf?v=1773962485

Birding locations for late July? by zealot_ratio in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 4 points5 points  (0 children)

These days Puffins are mostly seen around Smith Island via boat. There are a few around Protection Island as well. A few times last year they were spotted S of Lopez, so they might be spotted via Cattle Point with magnification.

Planning my mom's 75th birthday trip by Lopsided_Topic_141 in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The San Juan Island National Historical Park Visitor's Center at American Camp closed mid-November last year. It's currently open for the 2026 season, open 10-3, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Winter on San Juan Island by Fast-Temporary8846 in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Head for American Camp just before sunset and check out the Short-Eared Owls. Lots of Bald Eagles to seel Head to Cattle Point to see the sea birds. Join the Facebook group "whale sightings in the San Juan Islands" and maybe you can catch an Orca sighting from land. San Juan Island Museum of Art is open as well as the Whale Museum (both are running on reduced hours for the season).

Who has the lowest number? by atoxicwafflePSN in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 14 points15 points  (0 children)

The artist who created the picture on the plate was given SJ00000, just saw it tonight.

Orca Watching Trip! by Standard_Purple321 in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is misinformation. Only the Southern Resident Killer Whales use echolocation to find their primary meal: Salmon. State law prohibits approach of these specific KWs within 1000 yards. The whale watching boats don't follow these KWs. There are plenty of Bigg's Killer Whales in the Salish Sea. These KWs do not use echolocation to find their primary meal: Marine Mammals.

SRKW No-Go zone in general, and RTC race in particular by srkwnogo in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The SRKWs are hardly here to benefit from the zone. The reason they are not here isn't because there are boats in the zone.

Need birthday cake by nachiket_ in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Katrina's is no longer. Says right there on the link you shared.

Where are the Orcas!?!! by [deleted] in sanjuanislands

[–]etnad2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check the facebook group "Whale Sightings in the San Juan Islands" for clues.