This adult coho salmon will pass through the San Juans twice in its life span : once as a juvenile to find rest and food along shoreline habitat like eelgrass and kelp , and once again as an adult on its way back when the Southern Resident killer whales may feed on them . Below , Lime Kiln State Park is a great place to view killer whales from shore , like this Southern Resident male coming close to the shoreline to play in the kelp beds and look for salmon to eat . If you encounter these endangered animals while boating , visit BeWhaleWise . org for rules and regulations to keep yourself and the whales safe . Bottom , this Rhinoceros Auklet will fill its mouth with as many fish as it can to bring back to its nest . From birds , to salmon , to killer whales , and humans , we all depend on small forage fish like these and the habitat that sustains them — culturally , economically , and intrinsically . And they depend on us as stewards of this special place .
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jess newley photo instead move out into the deeper waters where they are at risk from predators . To reduce demand for new docks , consider using a marina , mooring buoy , or sharing an existing dock with neighbors . If you already have a dock , look into improvements that can increase light penetration such as grating .
We have two distinct killer whale populations swimming through Salish Sea waters and the San Juan Islands . The most well-known is the Southern Resident killer whales whose diet consists of fish , primarily salmon . We also have transient killer whales ( aka Bigg ’ s killer whales ), who eat marine mammals like harbor porpoises , seals , and sea lions . Recently , transient killer whales are thriving in the Salish Sea with plenty of harbor porpoises , seals , and sea lions to eat . More often than not there is a family of transients swimming somewhere between the islands and chances are high that you will get to see them .
Southern Resident killer whales are an endangered species that used to regularly spend their summers in the region but are visiting the islands less .
Southern Residents depend primarily on a diet of chinook salmon . Southern Residents need space and quiet waters to find this limited food . Luckily there are many places in the San Juans to view these very special species from shore . Consider joining the regional Give Them Space movement to avoid watching Southern Residents from vessels . Instead , focus on the exciting Bigg ’ s whales or view the whales from shore at Lime Kiln State Park next time you ’ re on San Juan Island . If you end up boating near the Southern Residents , make sure and stay at least 400 yards away . Visit BeWhaleWise . org for more information and viewing guidelines .
Salmon , eelgrass , bull kelp , forage fish , and orcas — all of these wondrous things are connected in ways that we don ’ t always see or experience as humans living above the surface of the Salish Sea . If we lose one of these important pieces of the puzzle , the Salish Sea and all who rely upon it will suffer . It is more and more important that we all do our part to take care of this special place and do what we can to protect it for people and nature .
Next time you are looking out the ferry window , off the aft of a boat , or gazing from a plane as you fly over , take a moment and go deeper . Remember that this amazing and complex web of life , that exists outside of our normal view , depends on all of us to steward and to protect it . andrew reding photo
42 explore : NW | The Official Magazine for kenmore air