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The Salish Sea: Jewel of the Pacific Northwest
" The Salish Sea is a feast for the eyes, a high-quality publishing effort rich in glossy colour photos and fascinating biological information that is likely to surprise even someone well-versed in our marine waters."
—The Vancouver Sun
In stunning color photographs, and compelling stories, this keepsake book reveals the the Salish Sea, a unique ecosystem home to thousands of different species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and macro-invertebrates. The Salish Sea region is an ecological jewel straddling the western border between Canada and the United States, connected to the Pacific Ocean primarily through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There, lush and mossy old-growth forests meet waters with dazzlingly-colored anemones and majestic orcas. This is the first book of its kind to describe the Salish Sea, whose name was not even officially recognized until 2008. One of the world’s largest inland seas, the Salish Sea contains 6,535 square miles of sea surface area and 4,642 miles of coastline.
This fascinating visual journey through the Salish Sea combines a scientist’s inquiring mind, dazzling full-color photographs, and a lively narrative of fascinating stories, all of which impart a sense of connection with this intricate marine ecosystem and the life that it sustains.
—The Vancouver Sun
In stunning color photographs, and compelling stories, this keepsake book reveals the the Salish Sea, a unique ecosystem home to thousands of different species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and macro-invertebrates. The Salish Sea region is an ecological jewel straddling the western border between Canada and the United States, connected to the Pacific Ocean primarily through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There, lush and mossy old-growth forests meet waters with dazzlingly-colored anemones and majestic orcas. This is the first book of its kind to describe the Salish Sea, whose name was not even officially recognized until 2008. One of the world’s largest inland seas, the Salish Sea contains 6,535 square miles of sea surface area and 4,642 miles of coastline.
This fascinating visual journey through the Salish Sea combines a scientist’s inquiring mind, dazzling full-color photographs, and a lively narrative of fascinating stories, all of which impart a sense of connection with this intricate marine ecosystem and the life that it sustains.
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 27, 2025
Summers in the Salish Sea are never boring. Jack's Summer Camp, adventurous Indy, and the naughty Butcher Boys are living proof of that. I'm not talking about humans. I'm talking about killer whales. It sounds like a story out of a Hollywood movie, but it's not. Let me start at the beginning.
I dedicate my last blog post of 2023 to the Salish Sea - a magical place stretching from British Columbia to Washington State, including the Strait of Georgia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound (the site of the notorious 1970 orca captures). The region is home to over 8 million people (including the numerous indigenous populations), Southern Resident killer whales (fish-eaters), Transient killer whales (mammal-eaters), Dall’s porpoises, harbor porpoises, North American river otters, Steller sea lions, Chinook salmon, eagles, tufted puffins, murrelets, oystercatchers, and many others. Humpback, minke, and gray whales are most commonly observed in summer and fall.
The biggest stars of the Salish Sea are undoubtedly the Southern Residents and their nemeses, the Transients. I will share three of my favorite Salish Sea stories featuring Transient (Bigg’s) killer whales.
While the Iberian killer whales were busy sinking yachts, their Pacific Northwest counterparts spent the summer chilling (and murking seals and minke whales). T137A Jack formed a camp, which locals and scientists have affectionately dubbed ‘Jack’s Summer Camp.’ Jack spent the summer supervising three youngsters: his sister T137D Wright, T37A3 Spinnaker, and T37A4 Crinkle. Scientists have joked that Jack looked like a bored camp counselor babysitting the three energetic youngsters. By the end of September/early October, Jack and his sister, Wright, returned to their mom, Loon, and sister, Tempest. Spinnaker and Crinkle reunited with their own families.
T65A5 Indy is the social butterfly of the Salish Sea. The 12-year-old Indy dispersed from his family at an unusually young age. He was only five when he left his mom, T65A Artemis, and siblings. Male orcas tend to stay with their mothers their entire lives. Indy didn’t like the house rules and said F that I’m out.
He occasionally visits his family but prefers to travel alone or with other unrelated pods. Indy loves playing with crab pots, which often lands him in trouble. A few months ago, he got entangled in crab pot gear near Saratoga Passage. A rescue attempt had to be called off when he freed himself and swam off, cool as a cucumber, as if nothing had happened. That’s what happens when teenagers are left unsupervised.
T65A3 Amir and T49A2 Jude aren’t related, but they’ve known each other since they were babies. Amir is the son of the legendary T65A Artemis. He has two sisters, Ellifrit and Callisto, and two brothers, Ooxjaa and Indy (yes, THE Indy). Jude is an independent spirit, an adventurous thrill-seeker like Indy. He’d rather travel with his male friends than hang out with his mom. Whoever said male killer whales are the ultimate mama’s boys has never met Jude and Indy.
Amir and Jude linked up in the summer of 2022, and according to the onlookers, the two teenagers had a blast. The gruesome twosome wreaked havoc on the local seal population, thus earning the nickname ‘the Butcher Boys.’ 🎵 It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero. 🎵
The best place to see wild orcas is on San Juan Island in northwestern Washington. L25 Ocean Sun, the legendary 95-year-old Southern Resident, everyone’s favorite bored camp counselor T137A Jack, the free-spirited T065A5 Indy, the enigmatic T063 Chainsaw, the lovely 68-year-old T018 Esperanza, the mischievous Butcher Boys, supermom T046B Raksha, her five daughters, and three grandchildren, the 62-year-old eternal bachelor T87 Harbeson (the oldest male killer whale on record), T46D Strider (yes, he was named after Aragorn), and the iconic humpback Big Mama are worth the trip.
Someday, I’ll visit the picturesque town of Friday Harbor, board a whale-watching boat, and visit the wildest of the wild things.
I dedicate my last blog post of 2023 to the Salish Sea - a magical place stretching from British Columbia to Washington State, including the Strait of Georgia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound (the site of the notorious 1970 orca captures). The region is home to over 8 million people (including the numerous indigenous populations), Southern Resident killer whales (fish-eaters), Transient killer whales (mammal-eaters), Dall’s porpoises, harbor porpoises, North American river otters, Steller sea lions, Chinook salmon, eagles, tufted puffins, murrelets, oystercatchers, and many others. Humpback, minke, and gray whales are most commonly observed in summer and fall.
The biggest stars of the Salish Sea are undoubtedly the Southern Residents and their nemeses, the Transients. I will share three of my favorite Salish Sea stories featuring Transient (Bigg’s) killer whales.
While the Iberian killer whales were busy sinking yachts, their Pacific Northwest counterparts spent the summer chilling (and murking seals and minke whales). T137A Jack formed a camp, which locals and scientists have affectionately dubbed ‘Jack’s Summer Camp.’ Jack spent the summer supervising three youngsters: his sister T137D Wright, T37A3 Spinnaker, and T37A4 Crinkle. Scientists have joked that Jack looked like a bored camp counselor babysitting the three energetic youngsters. By the end of September/early October, Jack and his sister, Wright, returned to their mom, Loon, and sister, Tempest. Spinnaker and Crinkle reunited with their own families.
T65A5 Indy is the social butterfly of the Salish Sea. The 12-year-old Indy dispersed from his family at an unusually young age. He was only five when he left his mom, T65A Artemis, and siblings. Male orcas tend to stay with their mothers their entire lives. Indy didn’t like the house rules and said F that I’m out.
He occasionally visits his family but prefers to travel alone or with other unrelated pods. Indy loves playing with crab pots, which often lands him in trouble. A few months ago, he got entangled in crab pot gear near Saratoga Passage. A rescue attempt had to be called off when he freed himself and swam off, cool as a cucumber, as if nothing had happened. That’s what happens when teenagers are left unsupervised.
T65A3 Amir and T49A2 Jude aren’t related, but they’ve known each other since they were babies. Amir is the son of the legendary T65A Artemis. He has two sisters, Ellifrit and Callisto, and two brothers, Ooxjaa and Indy (yes, THE Indy). Jude is an independent spirit, an adventurous thrill-seeker like Indy. He’d rather travel with his male friends than hang out with his mom. Whoever said male killer whales are the ultimate mama’s boys has never met Jude and Indy.
Amir and Jude linked up in the summer of 2022, and according to the onlookers, the two teenagers had a blast. The gruesome twosome wreaked havoc on the local seal population, thus earning the nickname ‘the Butcher Boys.’ 🎵 It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero. 🎵
The best place to see wild orcas is on San Juan Island in northwestern Washington. L25 Ocean Sun, the legendary 95-year-old Southern Resident, everyone’s favorite bored camp counselor T137A Jack, the free-spirited T065A5 Indy, the enigmatic T063 Chainsaw, the lovely 68-year-old T018 Esperanza, the mischievous Butcher Boys, supermom T046B Raksha, her five daughters, and three grandchildren, the 62-year-old eternal bachelor T87 Harbeson (the oldest male killer whale on record), T46D Strider (yes, he was named after Aragorn), and the iconic humpback Big Mama are worth the trip.
Someday, I’ll visit the picturesque town of Friday Harbor, board a whale-watching boat, and visit the wildest of the wild things.
December 22, 2017
For those that have never heard of the "Salish Sea", this is a term describing the Straits of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, and the Strait of Georgia. This book's photos of the natural features, fauna, flora, and history of the Salish Sea are nothing less than breathtaking, and the text is understandable, really showing the beauty, balance, and wonders of this amazing ecosystem. It does an outstanding job educating and explaining this wonder of nature such that one emerges with a renewed sense of its preciousness and value. Unlike other books on nature, this book resists the temptation to preach or lecture --- it does not need to --- as the photos and writing make the point clear enough that the Salish Sea is a vital resource that requires a careful balance between nature and human activity if it is to continue in its beauty and bounty. Having been stationed in Puget Sound as a Coast Guardsman decades ago, this book really brought it all back about just how beautiful this part of the US and Canada really is!
July 6, 2022
Yes, this is a coffee table book (soft cover format) that people don't traditionally "read". Beautiful pictures and 1-2 page articles on the flora and fauna of the Salish sea, the shoreline and the surrounding mountains. Glaciation and history are also represented here.
December 2, 2015
Intriguing, thought-provoking, and full of amazing photographs and factual information about the Salish Sea, which is the name of the ecosystem that includes Puget Sound, the Straight of Juan de Fuca and the Straight of Georgia, and stretches all the way from Olympia, Washington to Cambell River, British Columbia. This book should be required reading for anyone who lives near, visits or cares about this amazing body of water, which, as the title says, is truly a jewel.
May 13, 2022
When someone asks why I live on the Salish Sea I can simply hand them a copy of this beautiful book.
July 9, 2018
What a wonderful celebration of the history, biology, beauty and vibrancy of The Salish Sea. This book makes a dynamic impact immediately with its incredible photography that is generously featured on every page of the book. Caught in the moment are the precious scenery and animals of this inland sea off the coast of Washington and British Columbia. Mixed saltwater and freshwater, it includes the Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Strait of Georgia. The endearing and insightful photography is mesmerizing. The remarkable images are from many contributing professional and amateur photographers. As stated by the authors, “their photographs reveal a profound sense of place and present the intricate beauty of the Salish Sea in a way that will inspire the next generation of conservation stewards.”
Not to be outdone, authors skillfully weave the many ribbons of the story that is this Jewel of the Pacific Northwest. They share its history in the most interesting way, including spinning the tales of its biological creation, European explorers, and native peoples. They move onto descriptions of the environment, plants, and animals both above and below the surface of the water. They include some thoughtful quotes for the chapters including, “I arise in the morning torn between the desire to save the world and a desire to savor the world. That makes it hard to plan the day.” – E. B. White
Even readers who live right in this region, or visit it frequently, are sure to learn so much in this book, and at the same time be entertained and delighted. Both authors are actively involved with the SeaDoc Society. Audrey DeLella Benedict, a writer and naturalist, is a member of the board. Joseph K. Gaydos, a licensed veterinarian with a PhD in wildlife health, is Chief Scientist for this marine science and conservation program focused on the Salish Sea as a whole. Founded in 2001, SeaDoc is part of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at the University of California at Davis School, of Veterinary Medicine. Based on Orcas Island, the SeaDoc organization works on both sides of the international border to conduct and support research in many areas, and makes scientific findings available to the public and resource managers who will help shape the future of the Salish Sea. To find out more about SeaDoc, visit seadocsociety.org
Not to be outdone, authors skillfully weave the many ribbons of the story that is this Jewel of the Pacific Northwest. They share its history in the most interesting way, including spinning the tales of its biological creation, European explorers, and native peoples. They move onto descriptions of the environment, plants, and animals both above and below the surface of the water. They include some thoughtful quotes for the chapters including, “I arise in the morning torn between the desire to save the world and a desire to savor the world. That makes it hard to plan the day.” – E. B. White
Even readers who live right in this region, or visit it frequently, are sure to learn so much in this book, and at the same time be entertained and delighted. Both authors are actively involved with the SeaDoc Society. Audrey DeLella Benedict, a writer and naturalist, is a member of the board. Joseph K. Gaydos, a licensed veterinarian with a PhD in wildlife health, is Chief Scientist for this marine science and conservation program focused on the Salish Sea as a whole. Founded in 2001, SeaDoc is part of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at the University of California at Davis School, of Veterinary Medicine. Based on Orcas Island, the SeaDoc organization works on both sides of the international border to conduct and support research in many areas, and makes scientific findings available to the public and resource managers who will help shape the future of the Salish Sea. To find out more about SeaDoc, visit seadocsociety.org
August 30, 2015
The Salish Sea, which was not officially named until 2009, comprises Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Strait of Georgia – an area surrounded by northwestern United States and southwestern Canada. The book about it by Audrey DeLella Benedict and Joseph K. Gaydos is a filled with enough beautiful photographs to qualify as a coffee table book. I bought it for the photographs, but I'm glad I took time to read the text.
The text in many coffee table books seems contrived to fit the photographs. That's not the case here. The photographs were obviously selected to create a well-integrated package. Relatively independent, digestible chunks of text explore altitudes from the depth of the sea to the tops of the mountains that surround it and times from 220 million years ago to the future. It's worth thumbing through to look at the photos. It's worth reading the text as well. I expect to keep the book someplace where it will be convenient to do both more than once.
The text in many coffee table books seems contrived to fit the photographs. That's not the case here. The photographs were obviously selected to create a well-integrated package. Relatively independent, digestible chunks of text explore altitudes from the depth of the sea to the tops of the mountains that surround it and times from 220 million years ago to the future. It's worth thumbing through to look at the photos. It's worth reading the text as well. I expect to keep the book someplace where it will be convenient to do both more than once.
January 13, 2019
Having grown up in the Puget Sound and studied marine biology there in college, as well, this was a fascinating book. I like the new name for the combination of all the inland coastal waters, the Salish Sea, as it hearkens back to the first inhabitants of the area. The photography is stunning and there is a lot of good information about the ecology of the Salish Sea.
August 8, 2015
This is a beautiful book full of lovingly captured images of the unique nature surrounding us in the coastal PNW. It's a reminder to care for our region and tread lightly so that future generations can appreciate it as we can.
July 13, 2016
Beautiful book with gorgeous photos and lots of good information about species that live in the Salish Sea. It's not a comprehensive biology book, but rather will give you a taste of who lives here and how they fit into the ecology of the area.
May 4, 2015
Beautiful Pictures. Nice short but informative essays.
May 14, 2015
Lovely photos. Good narrative. No link to any place/person to comment on the situations depicted.
Read it because I live on its waterfront with acreage.
Read it because I live on its waterfront with acreage.
April 21, 2016
This is a coffee table book that I hope people read. It explains why we need to look at Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia as a unit rather than pieces. Pictures are beautiful. A Good Read
September 2, 2016
This is a beautiful book and wonderful reading about the Pacific Northwest. Loved it!
May 12, 2019
So much more than just beautiful photography, this book is grounded in real science, including recent research. A delightful way to learn more about my local ecosystem!
December 31, 2021
Wonderful interesting stories of the area I now call home.
November 28, 2022
Beautiful photos.
June 23, 2024
I would give this "coffee table" book status. It has some beautiful pics and gives some natural history of the Salish Sea, but it's not really the field guide sort of book I was hoping for. It will probably just sit there taking up space until I give it away.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews