July 16, 2020 – Some good winds today and we sailed wing on wing close to shore passed Point Caution. A fast beam reach brought us over to Low Island, alongside Shirt Tail Reef and through the narrow pass of Nob Island. A moment to drift in the calm listening for calls of black oystercatchers and then the breeze carried us to Bird Rock where harbor seals were hauled out and the flood current helped gain speed to Reef Island. After passing South of Jones we sailed across the channel to Limestone Point where winds picked up for a fast wing on wing sail to Green Point.
In the lee of Spieden Island we drifted the shoreline of New Channel in calm fast moving waters listening to many calls from bald eagles. A juvenile eagle came down to the waters on multiple attempts to catch a fish. We continued to the cliffs looking for Peregrine Falcon, we’ve found one here once this year. Turning to sail North of the Cactus Islands we sailed to Flattop Island where we drifted in the lee listening to high pitch whistles of pigeon guillemots.
South to Spring Pass, sailing through Yellow Island and stronger winds as we sailed close hauled with quite a heel to Reid Rock and into Friday Harbor South entrance. A great sailing day.
Route Map 7-16-20
Layers of islands
Harbor seals
Harbor seals hauled out
Sailing by Green Pt
Wing on wing downwind sailing
Bald eagle
Juvenile bald eagle hovering looking for fish
Juvenile bald eagle coming down to the water
Juvenile bald eagle trying to catch a fish
Sailing along Spieden Island
“Elephant rock”
Juvenile bald eagle
Mature bald eagle with honeycomb sandstone rock
Mature bald eagle
Pigeon guillemots on Flattop Island
Fast sail close hauled
Returning to Friday Harbor