Easter sails with whales! We met the J17’s and J22’s families at the Orcas Ferry Landing. Dawdling west through Harney Channel they eventually but deliberately took the narrow Pole Pass. Black skies covered the sun and strong winds came from nowhere with a surprising squall of heavy rain as we sailed for shelter in the lee of Jones island. Breaches and spy hops in the changing light of Spring Pass and then slow progress against flood tide under rainbows in Spieden Channel.
Meeting J17 and 22 family of Orca whales in Harney Passage, Orcas Island shoreline
Orcas pass Orcas Hotel, Orcas Island Ferry Landing
Southern Resident Killer whales J28 Polaris with calf, J54
Entering Pole Pass between Orcas and Crane Islands
Sunshine before the squall and water turns turquoise
Rounding Reef Island
J17s and J22s Orca whales group together to head North
J17s and J22s Killer whales grouped together as the squall hits
Captain David heeled over at the Helm as winds suddenly pick up with driving rain
Orca Whales travel through heavy rain
Syphop as the storm passes
J34 DoubleStuf Breach just north of Jones Island
Southern Resident Orcas J28 Polaris with J54
Clouds clearing, whales approach Speiden Island
Rainbow
Southern Resident Orca J34 DoubleStuf tail lob
Orca whales Speiden Channel west
Orca whales approaching Battleship Rock
Along the shoreline of Speiden island
Some Whales under the rainbow
J38 Cookie in Spieden Channel
Sunsets over Rocky Bay San Juan Island
Barbara