Humpbacks and Porpoises

It was a great day to be on the water. The bird life was spectacular today. We saw Pigeon Guillemots, Rhinoceros Auklets, Surf Scoters, Marbled Murrelets, Common Murres, Bald Eagles (including a parent in the nest feeding its chick), Kingfishers, gulls, Blue Herons, about 100 Red-necked Phalaropes, and even an Ancient Murrelet (the first one we've seen this year). Throughout the day Dall's porpoises were seen here and there and on one occasion they suddenly popped up right beside us. They cruised along with us for a short time before disappearing as suddenly as they arrived. It was a calm day on the water. So much in fact that we spotted the Humpback whale's blows from miles away. When we finally got closer we recognized the 2 whales as Houdini and her new calf. The sound of their blows was amazing and their breath had the scent that only a whales breath can. On the way home the clouds parted and it began to turn into a warm and bright day which was a perfect way to end our trip.