Crying and chattering on the surface of the water, and seeking the same foods as the whales, were hundreds of common murres, rhinoceros auklets and California, Heermann's and glaucous-winged gulls. Birdwatchers and whale watchers were in paradise.
The strong currents of Juan de Fuca Strait, Haro Strait and Puget Sound converge here, creating upwellings of nutrient-rich water. All levels of the marine food pyramid can be found in abundance. The morning's activity was especially exciting to watch with the sun at a low angle over a flat sea.
A visit to Friday Harbor, a barbecue luncheon on deck and an afternoon hike on a quiet island rounded out our last full day on board.