September 30, 2017 – Our trip began with a harbor seal eating a humungous salmon that looked as big as he was. Gulls wanted some of it, too. South down San Juan Channel along the Lopez coastline with a pit stops to see the various birds and harbor seals sunning on the rocks. Sea lions moaned and groaned at Whale Rocks as the sky began to let down some drizzle. We circumnavigated San Juan Island spotting a distant minke whale surface a couple times. We also saw what looked to be an elephant seal offshore of Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse. It felt like the rain wasn’t going to let up with all the sudden sprinkles… but the sun came out in the end. Our favorite part of the day was entering New Channel. Gorgeous light, several bald eagles, drifting in the peace and quiet as we ate our supper. We returned to port to see a beautiful sunset.
Harbor seal lifting a large salmon out of the water
Harbor seals hauled out near Deadman Island
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Cormorants on Whale Rocks
Clouds building
Harbor seals on Henry Island
Harbor seals on Battleship Island
Bald eagle under nest on Battleship Island
Bald eagle, New Channel
Bald eagle in cedar tree
Glassy seas, gorgeous light
Smiles in the sunshine
Harlequin ducks
Harbor seals, Cactus Islands
Sailing back to Friday Harbor
Clouds over Yellow Island
Last sunset in September
National Geographic cruise ship in Friday Harbor