June 11th 2019 – The T49As were reported coming West from the Orcas ferry terminal and through Pole Pass. We met them just North of Jones Island and watched from a distance as we tacked up the channel with good winds for a fast sail. The male T49A1 was off on his own in Presidents channel and then reappeared deep in Cowlitz Bay. We watched as the other family members logged at the surface for quiet some time in a circle facing each other before moving towards T49A1 as he swam out to meet them. We had a night sail home after they faded into the sunset towards Skipjack Island.
Sunset sail North West San Juan islands
T49As in Presidents Channel
Sun dog – created by refraction of sunlight in ice crystals high in our atmosphere
Close hauled sunset sail in the San Juan Islands
Captains David and Barbara Howitt
Sunset over White Rock looking North into Canada
Waldron Island
T49A1 breathing while logging at the surface deep in Cowltiz Bay
layers of islands in the sunset
T49As Biggs Orcas logging at the surface
Sunset sailing San Juan Island
T49As traveling together towards Sandy Point, Waldron Island
T49A1 in the last of the sunset light
Waxing moon night sail