Sailing around Lopez Island

August 21, 2018 – We sailed across San Juan Channel to Indian Cove on Shaw Island after receiving a report of a Minke Whale. Not finding the Minke here we continued South down San Juan Channel following the Lopez shoreline from Big Rock glacial erratic passed Sharks Reef, inside of Deadman Island to Mummy Rocks and out to Whale Rocks. Very smoky haze in the air today from the countries forest fires gave landscapes a prehistoric look. Harbor seals are napping on the rocks and a Bald Eagle watched as we drifted by. Steller Sea Lions were sleepy with just a couple involved in playful dominance fighting. We drifted through the mirror calm waters of Long Island and head out towards Iceberg Point still on the look out for Minke Whales. Passed inside of Swirl Island and then in to the steep cliffs that protect the hidden McArdle Bay. Drifted inside of the impressive Castle Rock and then offshore to the Harbor Seals on the shoreline of Colville Island. Rounded Watmough Head through to Watmough Bay and out to Bird Rocks. Along with many Cormorants and 18 or more Black Oyster Catchers there was a Kestrel here today. We passed inside of James island and into Lopez Sound by way of Thatcher Pass. Leaving the Steep cliffs of Blakely Island we head to Upright Head of Lopez and find 2 Peregrine Falcons today. We came inside of Canoe Island as the sun begins to lower over Squaw Bay. Deep orange colours as the sun dims in the smoky air crossing San Juan Channel back to the Port of Friday Harbor.