May 8, 2020 – After hearing reports and seeing dorsal fins on the webcam on the west side of San Juan Island we were tempted to go out for a sail. As we headed west in Spieden Channel scanning with binoculars we spotted the fins of the Biggs/Transient orcas known as the T101’s traveling towards New Channel. This is one of our favorite orca families – a mother with her 3 humungous sons.
We noticed several sudden direction changes as if they were in hunting mode. A few minutes later a steller sea lion popped up very close to shore on the western tip of Spieden Island and the orcas resumed course (lucky guy!) The orcas made a left turn into Boundary Pass and we had a beautiful time watching them until they crossed the Canadian border. We came home by way of Turn Pt Lighthouse keeping a look out for orcas near Portland Island.
The T101 boys
T101 spy hop
The lucky steller sea lion involved in the encounter with the orcas
Harbor seals resting on Danger Shoal
Bald eagle on Ripple Island
T102 in Boundary Pass
Distant photo of what looks like T101B (born 1997)
Mom, T101 (est born 1973)
T102 (born 1984)
Looks like T101A (born 1993)
Mt Baker
Mom with two of her three boys
Turn Pt Lighthouse and Lovers Leap, Stuart Island
Steller sea lion off Turn Pt busy eating with gull looking for scraps
Another steller sea lion off Turn Pt
Canada geese with goslings on Spieden Island