All Aboard Sailing

December sail with Js, K13s and K14s ambling South in San Juan Channel

By allaboardsailing@yahoo.com December 5, 2020 Half Day Sail, sailing with southern resident orca whales, Sailing with whales
December 5, 2020 – As we left Friday Harbor we heard a report of Resident Orcas Southbound from Eastpoint Canada. I knew it was a possibility this time of year that they may take San Juan Channel but the odds weren’t really great. We picked up our folks from Lopez and by that time the Orcas were Sandy Point Southbound – the odds were now looking good so we headed North along Upright Head and West through Harney Channel, Pole Pass and Spring Pass.
Clearing Jones Island and we met J pod, the K13s and the K14s. Very social spread in groups with a direction change hinting at taking Spieden Channel before changing their mind and slowly making their way down San Juan Channel. Spyhops a plenty, tail slaps and occasional breaches, playful and slow paced they ambled their way to Point Caution.
Back lit blows resounded in the still air. Winds were light but sufficient for us to sail most of the way given their slow speed which gave us ability to listen to their deep blows. Calls on the hydrophone were few and faint, surprising given their social play.  Passing Friday Harbor at Sunset accompanied by a Humpback Whale who passed quickly through their groups before reversing course to the North.
 

Sailing passed aUpright Head, Upright Channel, Lopez

View from Upright Head, Lopez, to Mount Baker with fresh snow

Sailing with Whales, December 2020, Peniel

Southern Resident Killer Whales South in San Juan Channel

SRKWS changing their minds on direction of travel

Inverted tail lob

Male Southern Resident Orca with backlit blow

Southern resident Orca Spyhops next to calf

Southern Resident Killer Whales in San Juan Channel with backlit blows

Southern Resident Killer Whales in San Juan Channel with backlit blows

Southern Resident Killer Whales in San Juan Channel with backlit blows

Wing on Wing downwind Sailing with Whales, December 2020, Peniel

Male Orca surfaces with Center for Whale Research vessel

Photo Doug McCutchen -Sailing with Whales, December 2020, Peniel

Calf syphon, Southern Resident Killer Whales in San Juan Channel with backlit blows

Southern Resident Killer Whales in San Juan Channel with backlit blows

Southern Resident Killer Whales in San Juan Channel with backlit blows

Southern Resident Orca spyhops outside Friday Harbor at sunset

Male Southern Resident Orca passing Friday Harbor

Male Southern Resident Orca passing Friday Harbor

Male Southern Resident Orca passing Friday Harbor

Gaf rigged cutter at sunset, Sailing San Juan Islands

Humpback whale passes Friday Harbor through the middle of the resident Orcas

Humpback whale passes Friday Harbor through the middle of the resident Orcaså

Photo from our passenger Elise Alexander as we sail from Odlin Park, Lopez, at dusk

Route Map 12/5/20

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