OrcaT-Party by Patos Island

July 6, 2020 – As we left Friday Harbor we received news of Biggs orcas milling at Point Doughty, the northern shore of Orcas Island. An unusual sighting of a red tailed hawk today at the entrance to Friday Harbor as we sailed wing on wing close to the forested shoreline finding the back eddies to the strong ebb current. The low tide exposed the rocks that lie between the Wasp Islands between Orcas and Shaw where harbor seals rest watching us sail by. We’re becoming used to hearing a special call from the black oystercatchers we’ve learned means a ‘bald eagle is coming’. Staying close to the Orcas shoreline to make time against the ebb gave us a special view of the old growth forest of Douglas fir and cedar.

The Biggs Orcas from the matrilines of the T34’s, T37, T37B’s, T36, T36B’s and T46’s began to move North so we motor sailed to catch up meeting them South of Patos Island where they stopped and socialized together. After some time they began to travel to Alden Point Lighthouse and beyond. There was a split where the T36 and T36B’s broke off and travelled towards Point Roberts while the others made a slow course to the Southeast.

We caught a back eddy on the now flooding tide back to the lighthouse and visited an eagles nest where the chick is now above the nest. We followed the Patos honeycombed sandstone shoreline and jumped to Sucia Island taking the narrow picturesque pass inside Little Sucia. A good sail with beautiful views crossing to Waldron Island. An eagle flew across our bow to grab a fish and we spotted a Peregrine Falcon parent and chick. After clearing the impressive cliffs of Point Disney Peniel heeled as we tightened the sheets for a close hauled fun fast sail South of White Rock to Flattop Island. Drifting the North side of Flattop was quite serene before tacking our way down San Juan Channel in the sunset light.