Biggs Orcas the T37As, Lopez Ferry landing

September 3, 2018 – Good sail out of the gate with a fast beam reach across San Juan Channel. Wing on wing close to the shore of Shaw Island enjoying the greens and blues with the clarity of the air today. We’d heard reports that Transient Orcas had come in from Rossario through Obstruction Pass and were heading up Eastsound of Orcas Island.

A bald eagle on the Southern tip of Shaw Island watched us drift on the flood into Upright Channel. We took the inside of Canoe Island to explore more of the Shaw Coastline before crossing to the forested cliffs of Upright Head, Lopez island. Crossed to Orcas Island and an exciting fast sail across the mouth of Eastsound. Reduced sail as we approached the orcas near Obstruction Pass.

The five members of the T37A’s spread out widely then came together in Shoal Bay. Lines of passengers watched from the upper deck of the waiting ferry, docked at Lopez, as the whales hunted. Moving on around Upright Head with slow travel close to shore they crossed to Canoe Island and hunted again with multiple spyhops and breaches. They then began porpoising around the Shaw Island coastline hunting again at Hicks Bay and then Parks Bay.

We left them and sailed towards Neck Point while we cooked supper. We had some peacefull light air sailing through the Wasp Islands and drifted through the narrow pass of Nob Island. While serving supper we noticed the orcas had come in towards Deer Harbor so we moved up to watch them hunt again while we had dinner. When they eventually continued North through Spring Pass we had a delightful slow sail South passing the harbor seals of West spit of Yellow Island in late afternoon light. Sunset as we pulled into Friday Harbor after a perfect day sailing with whales.