September 5, 2020 – Set sail to the south with fair winds to tack our way down the channel. After we passed Big Rock we decided to hug the Lopez coastline the rest of the way down towards Cattle Pass. Cormorants rested on Shark Reef and harbor seals were resting hauled out on Deadman Island. Steller sea lions were entertaining as usual on Whale Rocks. There were two very small sea lions beside some of the larger males and a large group of sea lions were gathered in the ‘hot tub’.
After circling Whale Rocks we made our way over to Goose Island. The double crested cormorant nests were empty and harbor seals relaxed as they sun bathed on the beach. We cut inside of Turn Island passing more harbor seals before returning to Friday Harbor.
Bull kelp forest near Turn Rock
Big Rock on Lopez shoreline
Cormorants and harbor seal on Shark Reef
Harbor seals on Deadman Island
Harbor seals on Deadman Island
Black oystercatchers
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Tiny steller sea lion next to large bull
Sea lion waving at us
Another small sea lion next to large male
Large raft of sea lions swimming together
Empty cormorant nests on Goose Island
Harbor seals on Goose Island with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Ferry with Shaw and Orcas Islands
Harbor seals on Danger Rock
Cute island off Turn Island
Mt Baker
Route Map 9-5-20