Took a little time out the other day to cruise around 5 mile drive in Pt Defiance and see if I could spot the gray whale that's been hanging around lately. I got the call from my brother that he had spotted one while on the ferry to Vashon Island over a month ago. Apparently the living is good for the whale as he/she was still in the area.
I stopped on the bluff overlooking Pt Defiance looking out towards Dalco Point, and sure enough the whale made an appearance. Unfortunately the whale was on the Vashon side of the water and was nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. If it weren't for the small cluster of boats along the South shore of Vashon Island I may have missed it completely. Another whale watcher was there with a 2 foot telephoto lens on his camera and seemed very excited at the shots he was getting.
It's nice to do business in a place as ecologically diverse as Pierce County, where else can you go whale watching on your lunch break!
We've had many encounters with gray whales over the years in the Strait of Juan DE Fuca, but rarely see them in the South Sound. I've always found them to be extremely docile and clearly very curious about what's going on in the boat. Several times we've had them in the area while we were drifting for Salmon and they have suddenly appeared alongside the boat to investigate. It's very inspiring to watch one glide past your boat and make eye contact with you.
Remember when boating to avoid approaching whales from the front or rear, always try to approach from the seaward side and never closer than 100yards.
If you would like to try you own shore based whale watching expedition here's what you need and where to go.
What to bring?
1. Good quality binoculars
2. Telephoto lens for your camera
3. Patience, they can hold their breath a good long while!
4. Your common sense! The bluffs are steep, stay behind the fence and watch little ones closely.
Where to go?
Pt Defiance located in Ruston near Tacoma WA. Take the 5 mile drive and stop at one of the many pullouts overlooking the Sound. Look for a congregation of boats, that will tip you off to his/her general location. If the whale has moved on before you are able to visit, try the Pt Defiance Zoo and Aquarium for an up close look at Beluga whales, Walruses and Sea Otters!