Having departed Seattle last night, we awoke this morning in calm water and sunshine in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. We enjoyed sightings of rhinoceros auklets, glaucous-winged gulls, Dall's porpoises, and adult bald eagles. Later in the morning we called into the port of Friday Harbor on the east side of San Juan Island, where we had an opportunity to visit the Whale Museum and to stroll around the quaint, picturesque town.
As we enjoyed lunch on board we continued northwest across the international boundary into British Columbia, Canada. Before entering Fulford Harbor on Saltspring Island, we had views of harbor seals and a California sea lion thrashing a large fish. We then had the pleasure of a visit from the renowned artist Robert Bateman, a resident of the island. After his slide presentation aboard, he and his wife Birgit hosted us at their lovely waterfront home, which is highlighted by many fine pieces of art collected during their travels around the world. We were privileged to view a series of paintings that Mr. Bateman was preparing for an exhibition entitled "Diversity," to be shown in Johannesburg, South Africa later this year.
