Sailing north to New Channel and Flattop Island

September 18, 2020 – We headed North today in search of visibility. A black tailed deer grazed the tide line of the beach around from Point Caution and a family of river otters scurried out of the water over the rocks and into the forest. Moments after we left Point Caution we heard an elephant seal popped up briefly before sinking back beneath the water once he realized he was discovered. A breeze was found near Wasp Pass and we were able to sail wing on wing through Shirt Tail Reef and a beam reach passed Low Island. A bald eagle roosted on the sign that read ‘Island Closed – No Entry”. Sailing passed Yellow Island and harbor seals and the low tide had them hauled out high and dry.

Spring Pass and again the harbor seals were hauled out resting on a rock only visible on the low tide. Clearing Jones on route to Flattop and we drifted surrounded by groups of harbor porpoise. An eagles nest on Flattop and many harbor seals dotted the shoreline, A bald eagle was foraging on the the North West rocks. Colors of the Northern cliffs matched the fall colours above. A breeze allowed us to sail over Gull rock to head towards Ripple Island.

The Cactus Islands were mystical shrouded in sea mist and an eagle had a high vantage from atop the Aspen grove on Ripple. Spinning circles and sailing backwards at speed we passed the harbor seals in fast moving current. Two more eagles nests and another eagle and a harbor seal we know as ‘Big Red’ were in the pass between the islands. We drifted the North side of Spieden Island seeing Mouflon sheep grazing the seaweed and the calm waters reflected the forest. Two Steller sea lions were at Green Point. Winds increased a little to allow us to sail and rains began during our return to Friday Harbor.