June 24, 2019 – A great sail through the islands and around Lopez with the T65A’s, and an exciting moment watching them join up with the T46B’s.
A peregrine falcon graced us with his/her presence at Upright Head. We had a quick stop to view the wildlife at Bird Rocks National Wildlife Refuge. Drifting by Castle Island we found a family of black oystercatcher chicks on the rocks greeting their parent who was delivering lunch.
Upon the T65A’s joining up with the T46B’s, a T-party ensued as the orcas socialized and breached. It was an exciting moment when we got a nice look at the rare grey/white orca calf, T46B1B. It is unknown as to why this orca has this rare skin condition. Researchers suggest that it may be related to Chediak-Higashi syndrome which results in partial albinism. In this case it could lead to weakened immune system and shorter life span. Another suggestion was that it could be leucism, a partial pigment loss, which would be better than the previous as the whale could live into adulthood. Only time will tell if the pigment will change to black and white.
Enroute back to Cattle Pass we stopped to see the Sea lions gathered on Whale Rocks. As we rounded Turn Island we sailed quietly passed the sleeping harbor seals on the rocks. Another epic adventure.
Route Map 6-24-19
Sailing towards Upright Head
Peregrine Falcon
Harbor seals catching up on some rest
T65A5, T65A6 and T65A
T65A3 and T65A4
T65A with youngest calf, T65A6
Transient orcas traveling down Rosario in pretty sea conditions
Sun dog over our sailboat
Sailing with whales with our “whale flag” up
Wildlife on Bird Rocks
Gulls and Cormorant on Bird Rocks and Burrows Island Light in the background
Gorgeous southeast coast of Lopez Island
T65A2 with Deception Pass Bridge
Biggs/Transient orca family T65A’s
Biggs/Transient orca family T65A’s passing Castle Island
Sailing towards Castle Island
Black oystercatcher with lunch for chicks
Three black oystercatcher chicks!!!
Adorable tiny black oystercatcher chick
T65A’s checking out the coves of south Lopez
T65A’s turn to face the T46B’s
Sailing with whales
T65A’s change course quickly to join the T46B’s
Orcas goofing around
Orcas goofing around
Orca breach
T46B6 is a girl
A look at uniquely colored Biggs/transient orca calf T46B1B
A look at uniquely colored Biggs/transient orca calf T46B1B
Orca t-party with T46B’s and T65B’s
Orca t-party with T46B’s and T65B’s
Uniquely colored Biggs/transient orca calf T46B1B with lots of rake marks
Uniquely colored Biggs/transient orca calf T46B1B
Uniquely colored Biggs/transient orca calf T46B1B
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Harbor seals
Harbor seals in the sunset
Sailing under a rainbow