September 8, 2019 – Misty morning departure and we sailed a path between the low clouds into Low Island and Yellow Island North through Spring pass. Hearing of a humpback whale sighting we headed up Presidents Channel passing close to shore at the head of Turtleback Mountain on the steep forested shoreline of Orcas Island. We found the humpback whale MMX0007 aka “Bond”, circling the contours of the bank to the North East of Point Hammond, Waldron Island. He gave us the privilege of some close passes as we sailed a slow course in very light winds before we continued sailing to Bare and Skipjack Islands. Winds increased at Sandy Point for a fast close hauled sail to Ripple Island and the Cactus islands. After sheltering a while in the calm reflective waters of New Channel we continued to Flattop National Wildlife refuge where we drifted in the lee of the island for our supper. Spectacular sunset on our sail home.
Route Map 9-8-19
Harbor porpoise
Fog between the islands
WA State ferry coming through Wasp Pass
Bald eagle
Historic Lime Kiln on Orcas Island
Bald eagle
Deer on the beach near Lovers Cove
Forested shoreline of Orcas Island
Humpback whale MMX0007 aka “Bond”
Humpback whale with whale watchers
Humpback whale with East Pt in the background
Sailing downwind
Sailing with a humpback whale
Whale watching while sailing
Humpback whale with Bare Island
Humpback whale tail
Humpback whale exhale
Humpback whale MMX0007
Humpback whale MMX0007 deep dive
Humpback whale MMX0007 tail flukes
Humpback whale MMX0007 tail flukes
Humpback whale MMX0007 tail flukes
Humpback whale MMX0007
Humpback whale tail waterfall
Humpback whale MMX0007 tail ID photo
Harbor seals resting on Bare Island
Cormorants nesting on Bare Island
Harbor seals resting on Bare Island
Harbor seals resting on Bare Island
Harbor seals on Skipjack Island
Harbor seals on Skipjack Island – including what looks like our favorite black seal missing his pelage
Harbor seals on Skipjack Island
Harbor seals on Skipjack Island
Harbor seals on Skipjack Island
Harbor seals on Skipjack Island
A fast close hauled sail
A beautiful day in the San Juans
Sailing in the San Juans
Harbor seals resting on Ripple Island
Black oystercatchers
Harbor seals resting
Bald eagle sleeping
Dinner on the pilothouse roof
Harbor seals resting
Flattop Island
Sailing at sunset
Sailing at sunset
Sunset over San Juan Island
Sunset over San Juan Island
Returning back to Friday Harbor at sun down