July 1, 2019 – This was an unforgettable sail with so many orcas. First we watched T36, T36A’s, T36B’s, T37A’s, T99’s, and T101’s near Alden Bank. The other group was the T65B’s with T65A2, who joined up with the T124A’s and T86A1 for an action packed hunt in San Juan Channel.
Our sail began with a great start and a fast sail over to Low Island where a group of eagles were gathered sharing a meal. We sailed via Presidents Channel admiring the Orcas Island coastline. Tall forested hillsides dotted with bald eagles and several eagles nests. A peregrine falcon was near its nest on Pt Doughty.
An eaglet peered over its gigantic nest on Patos Island while several others were perched around the corner. Crazy wave shapes in the honeycomb sandstone as we cut inside of Little Sucia Island.
During our evening orca encounter we saw the most consecutive orca spy hops we’ve ever seen! An action packed hunt with awesome power. We saw roughly 32 orcas during our sail.
As the sun began to set we changed course for home. What a day!
Route Map 7-1-19
Passenger taking the helm with a fast beam reach
Black oystercatcher calling to warn others about the eagles on the island
Bald eagles on Low Island
Harbor seals
Difficult to see Peregrine falcon in the tree
Pt Doughty cliff
Pt Doughty cliff
Biggs/transient orca t-party including T36, T36A’s, T36B’s, T37A’s, T99’s, and T101’s near Alden Bank
Biggs/transient orca t-party including T36, T36A’s, T36B’s, T37A’s, T99’s, and T101’s near Alden Bank
Biggs/transient orca t-party including T36, T36A’s, T36B’s, T37A’s, T99’s, and T101’s near Alden Bank
T102 inverted tail lob
T37A4 (who we nicknamed ‘Crinkly Fin’) and new sibling T37A5
T37A with newest calf, T37A5
T37A with newest calf, T37A5
Biggs/transient orca t-party including T36, T36A’s, T36B’s, T37A’s, T99’s, and T101’s near Alden Bank
Sailing or flying
Alden Pt Lighthouse, Patos Island
Harbor seal swimming along Patos
Huge bald eagle nest with chick
Bald eagle atop a tree
Interesting geology on Sucia
Geese with goslings getting a drink
Kayaking near Pt Doughty
Peregrine falcon near Pt Dougthy
Cute house with orca yard art
Bald eagle nest
Beach driftwood
Pair of eagles guarding their nest
Bald eagle nest with chick
Sleepy bald eagle
View looking up Spieden Channel
T65B’s with T65A2 joined up with the T124A’s and T86A1 for an action packed hunt
Orca spy hop and orca head stand
T65B’s with T65A2 joined up with the T124A’s and T86A1 for an action packed hunt
Orca tail flukes
Orca Spy hop
Orca Spy hop
Orcas hunting at sunset
T65B’s with T65A2 joined up with the T124A’s and T86A1 for an action packed hunt
Orca Spy hop
Blood in the water during the hunt
Lots of chasing and spy hopping
Orca Spy hop
Orca hunting a harbor seal
Orca spy hop
Orcas hunting together
Orca tail fluke
Orca back flip
Orca breach
Lots of splashing during the hunting
Orca spy hop in the sunset
Mt Baker in the sunset
Sunset sail to finish an EPIC day