Washington’s Olympic Peninsula

I took a quick weekend trip after scoring a $175 roundtrip on Delta from OKC-SEA to the Olympic peninsula. Olympic National Park is nothing short of amazing, and I really could have spent more days or even weeks there easily. The highlight was a whale watching tour with Island Adventures in Port Angeles. I spent most of Saturday morning and early afternoon watching whales in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, including a nice breach right next to the boat. I was jumping for joy when I saw what I captured on the back of my DSLR. What a rush!! Would highly recommend Island Adventures if you are up there.

Polar EnterprisePort Angeles, WA

US Coast Guard StationPort Angeles, Washington

Race RocksRace Rocks Ecological Reserve

Race Rocks LighthouseRace Rocks Ecological Reserve

First whale of the dayJust off Race Rocks

Whale TailOff Race Rocks

Dive

Jump!Whale Breach off Race Rocks Ecological Reserve. Off the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Whale BreachWhale Jumping in the Strait of Juan de Fuca off the coast of Vancouver Island

Splash!Whale lands in the water and makes a big splash after breaching

Humpback Tail

Another dive

Waving goodbyeWe headed off to find other whales at this point

Two HumpbacksTwo humpback whales were swimming side by side

Get away from meThe close whale is on it's side after loud trumpeting, likely being aggressive towards the other whale next to it

Slapping the waterThis Humpback was very angry

Making WavesWe witnessed the whale splash it's tail back and forth at the other whale

More splashingMoral of the story is to not make a humpback whale angry

Orca and Silver MunaOil Tanker Silver Muna going thru the Strait of Juan de Fuca with some Orcas nearby

L-pod OrcasThese Orcas were identified on ship as being from the L pod

Close OrcaThis guy was right off our boat!

Orcas

Orcas in the distanceYou can see the one on the right waving it's tail in the air

L-pod orcaPort Angeles Whale Watch Co. trip

Hurricane Ridge RoadOlympic National Park

Clouds forming off the mountainsOlympic National Park

Snow Capped Olympic MountainsOlympic National Park

Hurricane Ridge RoadOlympic National Park

Hurricane Ridge RoadOlympic National Park

Olympic National ParkStream/Waterfall along Hurricane Ridge Road

WaterfallOlympic National Park

Foggy TreesOlympic National Park

Hurricane Ridge RoadFoggy conditions along Hurricane Ridge Road in Olympic National Park

DeerThis buck was really close

Lake CrescentOlympic National Park

Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park

Evening reflectionsOlympic National Park

Glass topped lakeLake Crescent in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park Sign

Sunrise over La Push, WAPacific Ocean Sunrise in Olympic National Park

James IslandLa Push, WA - Olympic National Park

Sea Stacks off Ruby BeachSea Stacks off Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park

Ruby BeachOlympic National Park

Ruby BeachOlympic National Park

Ruby BeachOlympic National Park

Near KalalochOlympic National Park