September 26, 2018 – Today we had a special surprise birthday sail. It was a perfect day with a perfect sail full of surprises. After tacking back and forth to Turn Rock we changed course towards Shaw Island. During the crossing we spotted some nice harbor porpoise including a mom and calf.
We were surprised by a curious young sea lion who followed us along popping up to look at us and swimming closely alongside underwater. After he departed a young harbor seal did the same thing! Photographing harbor seals swimming underwater isn’t something we get to see everyday as we usually get our best photos as they’re snoozing on the rocks warming up in the sunshine. It was very cool.
Shortly afterwards we spotted another harbor seal, but this one caught himself a nice sized fish. Bald eagles were perched in trees and circling over the water outside of Friday Harbor looking for their lunch. As we delighted in a birthday treat we headed back to the harbor after a really special sail.
Route Map 9-26-18
Harbor porpoise mom and calf
Private surprise birthday sail
Young sea lion checking us out
Sea lion following behind our boat
Sea lion swimming underwater alongside our boat
Sailing downwind wing on wing
Ferry leaving Friday Harbor
Ferry heading up Upright Channel with Mt Baker
Young Harbor seal swimming alongside our boat
Harbor seal swimming alongside our boat
Harbor seal with fish in mouth
Harbor seal showing us his catch
Bald eagle perched in the tree top
Harbor seal spy hop
Bald eagle soaring over the water
Bald eagle in flight
Bald eagle soaring over the water looking for lunch
Bald eagle outside of Friday Harbor
Mt Baker