Orcas T65B's hunting in New Channel

August 30, 2020 – With light winds to the south and the flood current in our favor we opted to go north today. We thought maybe we’d circumnavigate Orcas Island and visit some of the outer islands along the way. As we were drifting and enjoying the gorgeous coast on the north side of Orcas Island we heard that Biggs/Transient orcas T36A’s were inbound from Victoria and south of Discovery Island. We all opted to change plans and put us in the zone in the event the orcas came up Haro Strait and crossed the border into the US.

After passing Lovers Cove on Orcas Island we changed course across Presidents Channel towards Waldron Island. We meandered wing on wing along the south side noticing the maple trees have begun their transformation into fall foliage as we rounded the corner to get a good look at Pt Disney. Passed by the east side of White Rock to see the cormorants and harbor seals before continuing onto Flattop Island. The clouds started rolling in accentuating the colors of the lichen covered layers in the geology.

We crossed towards Ripple Island and in between the beautiful Cactus Islands where several deer stopped to watch us go by. The orcas we were hoping to see made little progress in our favor and were reported going NW in Haro Strait towards Zero Rock keeping to the Canadian side. So, we took our time enjoying the scenery spotting for wildlife along the way. Crossed New Channel over to Spieden Island and hugged the forested north side keeping close to the island scanning for critters.

As we were nearing the west tip of the island a text came in from a friend on Stuart Island who reported seeing orcas breaching in front of her house. This was exciting news for us, because we were right around the corner. Stepped up our speed and started scanning and found the orcas making big splashes in the distance. Turned out to be a family of three orcas known as the T65B’s. After their breach-fest they traveled east in New Channel cruising right through the bull kelp forest. After passing Johns Pass they began hunting a harbor seal close to Johns Island. Lots of lunging and tails in the air as they worked as a group. The harbor seal spent much time at the surface dodging them as they came towards him. After thirty-five minutes of seal harassment the orcas grouped up and headed west back out of New Channel leaving the seal to live another day who sat at the surface watching them go the opposite direction.

The weather changed with heavy clouds forming all around and the drizzle began. After our exciting orca encounter it was time to start heading back anyway. We hugged the Spieden shoreline again to stay in the lee before cutting down San Juan Channel back to Friday Harbor. Stellar day!

Note: We heard later on that the T65B’s changed course to the south in the direction of the T36A’s and most likely joined up. At 10pm while listening to the Lime Kiln Hydrophone we heard Biggs/Transient vocals which lasted for an hour and a half. This morning the two families of orcas were reported together going up Active Pass.