Circumnavigating Orcas Island to see orcas - T100's

August 24, 2020 – The plan was to head South however as we left the harbor we heard a report of Orcas at Puffin Island heading towards Barnes and Clark. We headed across to Shaw Island and passed inside Canoe Island to Picnic Point. Light winds and sunshine today so the forest colors and reflections are sharp and crisp. As we came through Obstruction Pass we learned the Orcas had done a 180 at Clark Island and were heading North. We were 5 1/2 miles behind them; this was not going to be easy.

We came in close to the beautiful shoreline of Orcas Island to dodge some of the current that was against both us and the Orcas. At Lawrence Point two stellers seal lions also swam against the current. The old growth forest on the steep cliff face was spectacular and we saw a good many bald eagles. Harbor seals peered at us as we passed, harbor porpoise surfaced nearby and a great blue heron speared a fish. After we passed Point Doughty the current was with us running like a river and we made 10 knots down Presidents Channel. We met the the T100 matriline of Bigs Orcas as they neared the South end of Presidents Channel on the Orcas shoreline whereupon they promptly disappeared.

When they reappeared they were heading for Flattop Island and quickly passed heading for New Channel. Passing the Cactus Islands without stopping and then the shoreline of Spieden which highlighted their backlit blows. We left them as they continued in travel mode out into Haro Strait and into Canada.

We then doubled back for a leisurely pass though New Channel and drift through the Cactus Islands. Harbor porpoises surfaced in the mirror reflections of forest and sky. We enjoyed the peaceful tranquillity of Flattop Island in the late afternoon light where eagles watched over us and a pigeon guillemot flew by with a long eel like fish. Harbor seals were in large groups watching cautiously, seemingly still on the alert for orca whales.