July 27, 2020 evening sail – Winds were calm as we left Friday Harbor and we raised sails to head North. Traveling close to shore enjoying the coastline to Point Caution and then crossing San Juan Channel to the Wasp Islands. As we neared the Wasp Islands we heard the minke whale of Griffin Bay had been re-aquired but we decided to continue to explore the Wasp Islands before heading South.
We found and heard black oystercatchers on Low Island and took the narrow passes of McConnell and Nob Islands finding many harbor seals before heading South on the Shaw Island coastline where we saw bald eagles watching as the tide rolled away. Sailing across to Turn Island we found a bald eagle roosted on Danger Rock.
Winds increased from the South but we were able to find the minke whale and follow his swimming and surfacing patterns under sail. It was exciting to see the whale lunge on surfacing.
We returned under sail through Turn Island Pass entering the South entrance to Friday Harbor in the late evening light. A beautiful sail.
Black oystercatcher
Cormorants on Low Island
Harbor seals on Low Island
Harbor seals and cormorants on Low Island
Sailing the boat
Looking for wildlife
Harbor seal
Tip of Mt Baker
Bald eagle on Shaw Island
Bald eagle on Danger Rock
Minke whale in Griffin Bay
Enjoying whale watching
Minke whale milling in San Juan Channel
Minke whale lunging
Minke whale lunging
Minke whale exhale
Minke whale surfacing
Minke whale dorsal fin – left side
Minke whale surfacing
Minke whale surfacing – right side
Back lit minke whale
Minke whale with Lopez Island behind
Gulls and layers of islands
WA State Ferry
Juniper trees on Turn Island
Sailing wing on wing
Sailing back into Friday Harbor
Sun going down over Friday Harbor
Route Map 7-27-20