It was just a few days before our wedding day. Captain Barbara’s family has come to San Juan Island for the first time. Excitement is in the air. Dad can hardly wait to go fishing. Get the permits, buy the bait, load the gear and let’s go sailing! Mom and sis want to see some orcas! Well, it was our lucky day. The Southern Residents were inbound from Hein Bank in some very large groups. We couldn’t have asked for a better encounter. Today was a dream come true.
Capt Barb with sister and mom as we set sail on our adventure
Harbor Seals on Shark Reef
Steller Sea Lion with Cattle Point Lighthouse behind him
Steller Sea Lions on Whale Rocks
Southern Residents milling
Capt Barb’s Dad trying to catch a fish
Southern Resident Orcas heading in from Hein Bank
Southern Resident Orcas in a tight group
Drifting while the orcas swim by
Southern Resident L92 Crewser
A rainbow appears over Lopez Island
Capt Barb at the helm enjoying sailing with her family
A group of L pod members
We were sailing parallel to the orcas when they turned suddenly and swam towards us
Orca mother and calf
J28 Polaris with calf J54 Dipper
After the whales swam by us and under us, they turned around and came back for another look at us!
Surprising us with another close pass
Incredible lighting
Off they go – thank you for the special visit
Two killer whale bulls
Orca mom and calf in the sunset
Sailing back to Friday Harbor in the sunset
Enjoying our BBQ Salmon and Veggie Supper in the Galley
Barb’s dad takes the helm while Capt David and Capt Barb drop sails
Port of Friday Harbor as the sun is going down. A perfect end to a perfect day.