Serenading Whales?

It was nine years ago that we ventured up to San Juan Island for a most unusual event, one that peaked the imagination. Of course, much of the San Juan's can do that, but this was somehow beyond the islands' normal uniquenesses.


Have you ever serenaded a whale,  an Orca?


Well, that's what folk do once every year, gathering on the rocks at Lime Kiln Park on the West side of the Island. It all started eleven years ago with the City Cantabile Choir, Fred West maestro. Special speakers are lowered into the waters around this famous scratching site, at least famous to the Orca who scratch there on the rocky bottom, then the singing begins. Some times instrumental, some times by the choir, some times by everybody.

As the sun set over Vancouver Island on that clear, warm evening we joined with the choir . Some folk simply sat and gazed a cross the strait, the Salish Sea, others sketched and painted, and our sound echoed through the waters.

As  the evening grew cool, our enthusiasm started to fade with the sun. It was dusk, and despite our best choral efforts, the Orca were nowhere in sight. We had just clambered down from our rocky perch to head down the road to our car. Then a shout, "Here they come! They're coming! They're coming down, heading south!" And, lo, there they were, some way off the shoreline to be sure, but there. The music started up, the whales stopped their swim. They seemed to be listening. One spy hopped (to see who this strange group of sound making creatures were?). Then, after a few minutes milling around, again on their way South, perhaps to Cattle Point.

It was truly a magical moment for us, and perhaps for the Orca, who knows. Species singing to species. Awing. So cool.


We drove back to our island motel almost in silence, savoring the moment.


The 11th annual Orca Sing concert will be held this Sunday, June 19th, starting at 7:00 PM. Bring a flashlight and a $5 donation. Parking will be tight, so consider grabbing a bus from the ferry.

This year's concert will be dedicated to the wildlife and people of the Gulf of Mexico who suffered the devastation of the BP oil disaster.Orca Sing is sponsored by People For Puget Sound, Friends of the San Juans, The Whale Museum, American Cetacean Society--Puget Sound Chapter, The Whale Trail, Orca Network and the City Cantabile Choir. 

Hey, why not make this a whole weekend of activity while you're on the Island? Check out the Whale Museum, the book stores, and don't overlook the ice cream joint by the ferry dock!

You will never regret experiencing this. And who knows, the Orca may come again, and this time, perhaps, join you in the chorus?