A sail around Orcas Island

September 16, 2020 – After picking up our passengers at Orcas Island we headed East down Harney Channel. Crossing to the forested coastline of Shaw Island we noticed many ochre sea stars visible on the low tide. The recovery of this species is a relieving good news story after their massive die off in recent years and is taken to indicate a healthy intertidal zone. Orange and purple and looking good. We drifted awhile in Upright Channel where a number of harbor porpoise surfaced.

After following the steep forested cliffs of Upright Head, Lopez Island, we found a good wind for a fast close hauled sail to Peavine Pass. Drifting on the current through the pass and in to Rossario Strait where the the smoky haze of the nations wild land fires was thick today. North to Peapod Rocks where many harbor seals were hauled out resting and then close to shore again for the forested coastline of Lawrence Point, the Easternmost point of Orcas Island. The current and back eddies meet at Lawrence Point and we came about to come in to the steep mountain cliff face where we saw a bald eagle roosted on a Douglas fir. We continued North along the coastline against the wind to Point Doughty where harbor seals rested in the painted landscape.

Coming South down Presidents Channel and we drifted into Lovers Cove where the tall old growth trees tower over the water. Quiet wing on wing downwind sailing passed the head of Turtleback Mountain seeing more eagles and an eagles nest. The sun made its attempt to burn through the smoky haze and shine a path across the water as we drift sailed the coastline.

Close hauled light air sail through Spring Pass and pigeon guillemots were gathered in numbers now showing their winter plumage. Another bald eagle was on McConnell Island as we took the route of Yellow Island and Nob Island into Wasp Passage. Around Orcas Island on a day where the smoke of the forest fires hung heavy in the air and the islands were layered shades of grey.