Minke whale in Minke Lake

September 27, 2020 – Northbound with a North wind and tacked our way up the channel between the islands. Through Spring Pass keeping in the sunshine and drifted for a while surrounded by harbor porpoise. Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge where harbor seals were doing pilates stretching in crescent shapes as they rested and warmed their bodies on the honey combed sandstone rocks.

Pushed North to meet a minke whale who was enroute to Johns Island. Some great views as the whale travelled close to shore where the blows were clearly visible. We left the whale for awhile to cut inside Ripple Island where a family of river otters played on the rocks. Circling Ripple where more harbor seals were hauled out on the reefs and met the minke whale again who zig zagged his way down to Spieden Channel.

We left the whale at Limestone point and made quick time down San Juan Channel back to Friday Harbor. Mount Baker was visible today adorned with a blanket of fresh snow.