Half day sail South on the ebb

August 3, 2018 – Sailed South with the ebb current passing Turn Rock Kelp Forest which is now in its prime. The kelp grows a foot a day starting in the Spring and now is home to an ecosystem below the surface. Close hauled we sailed on to the glacial erratic of granite from Whistler known on the chart as Big Rock on the Lopez shoreline. We followed the forested Lopez shrill down to shark reef saying hello to the cormorants and seals before tacking across to Goose Island and Cattle Point Lighthouse. Goose Island was alive with new chicks of Glaucous winged gulls as well as the Pelagic, Double Crested and Brandts Cormorants manning their nests. We sailed on out Salmon Bank in search of Minke whales but no luck today and we came in to Long Island where we were very lucky in seeing a Bald Eagle carrying a fish. In the mirror calm waters in the lee of Long Island we enjoyed our supper before drifting passed two Eagle chicks peering out over their nest. Strong current as we passed Whale Rocks and we welcomed the arrivals of Steller Sea Lions coming back after their long travels North to the Queen Charlottes and beyond. There was one on the rocks and a couple in the water, it is the beginning of their return. Black Oyster Catchers and Harlequin Ducks added to the life on the rocks. Wing on wing downwind with the flood current for sunset while drifting though Turn Island Pass. Gorgeous.