Our first look at new Southern Resident calf, J57

September 19, 2020 – With a report of Southern Resident Orcas coming around Lopez Island we headed South. Sailing on the ebb around Turn Island rock close to the kelp forest and winds picked up giving us a fast close hauled sail to Lopez. Winds were quite strong so we reefed the main and the headsail before tacking. Three tacks and we were into Cattle Pass. Passing Deadman Island with the current in our favor and we passed many harbor seals hauled out resting and warming their body temperature. Black oystercatchers grazed the shellfish of the low tide zone. Sailing out to Whale Rocks and Steller’s sea lions were up to their antics of playful fighting both on the rocks and in the water.

The orcas were northbound at Eagle Point so we pushed on with a fast beam reach sail and met them at Pile Point. Bringing in the headsail and drifting we watched the J17’s plus J38, L82 and L116 were all engaged in foraging. We dropped the hydrophone to listen to thier calls. We saw J35 with her brand new calf, J57, just two weeks old and staying close to mum. K20 passed off shore. We did hear of 2 orcas engaged with a harbor porpoise.

We left them to continue North on the flood as they turned South. Wing on wing sailing passed Lime Kiln lighthouse and the cloudscapes were dramatic as we neared Kellet Bluff. We tacked to sail Spieden Channel on the tail of the flood and rode the current towards Jones Island. Harbor porpoise were where the currents converge North of Jones. Continuing South as the sun lowered through layers of clouds for a spectacular sunset sailing into Friday Harbor.