Harbor seals and pups galore

July 19, 2020 – We headed north today tacking our way up San Juan Channel passing Jones Island with a fast close hauled sail to Flattop Island. Harbor seals lined the southern shoreline many with new pups. Cutting across towards Spieden Island we spotted a bald eagle who appeared to be drinking water out of one of the tide pools. A Mouflon ram foraged as he walked along the shoreline towards the eagle who took off as he approached.

We changed course to navigate our way through the Cactus Islands and the rocky seal haul outs. Lots of harbor seals were sleeping on top of the bull kelp bed. A pair of bald eagles stood by their nest while another pair of eagles was engaged in a meal on one of the nearby rocks. Another bald eagle stood on his perch on a tall tree amidst the aspen grove on Ripple Island.

After cutting through Ripple Island Pass we sailed up into Boundary Pass to scan for whales before tacking back towards the stunning cliff face of Pt Disney on Waldron Island. We hugged a portion of the southern Waldron shoreline pointed into the wind before changing course to sail across to Lovers Cove, Orcas Island. Sailing downwind wing on wing in Presidents Channel we enjoyed the warming sunshine as we drifted passed the steep forested coast. Through Spring Pass and down San Juan Channel back to Friday Harbor with beautiful views of Mt Baker.