December 29, 2020 – Leaving Friday Harbor and the misty rain cleared as we followed the coastline to Point Caution. With a light breeze we set sail across the Channel to the Wasp Islands between Shaw and Orcas Islands.
A bald eagle was roosting on the #1 green channel marker on Shirt Tail Reef. We threaded the needle around Low Island where a couple of harbor seals were rested on the shoreline. Clearing yellow island we sailed on to Spring Pass and came around Jones Island state park. We had a good view at the crossroads here where Spieden Channel, New Channel, Presidents Channel, San Juan Channel and Boundary Pass all meet with Haro Strait a little to the West.
As we came around Jones to point South the wind freshened giving us a fast close hauled sail South, We tacked to continue pointing South into wind crossing back to Low Island where now a pair of Eagles watched the tide pass through the maze of Islets. We sailed through the channel South of Nob island and around Crane Island where winds were calm and peaceful before continuing the close hauled sail back to the port of Friday Harbor.
Bald eagle on Shirt Tail Reef
Bald eagle on Shirt Tail Reef
Harbor seals on Low Island
Fast close hauled sailing
Pair of bald eagles on Low Island
Pair of bald eagles on Low Island
Coon Island with Orcas Island behind
Sailing towards Nob Island
Route Map 12-29-20