March 12, 2021 – A beautiful day in the San Juans. Today we sailed along the south side of Spieden Island first stopping to see the sea lions at Green Pt. Mouflon sheep were grazing and one had a newborn lamb in tow. A bald eagle was sitting in its nest in the tall Douglas fir tree.
A report came over the radio of a small group of orcas Northbound in Haro Strait offshore of Stuart Island. We kicked on the engine and hustled to catch up. We were zooming along with the strong flood current – but so were the orcas who crossed the Canadian border ten minutes before we got there. The orcas turned out to be five members of the Southern Residents in the J17 matriline. With binoculars we could see them in the distance as they frolicked and traveled towards the Pender Bluffs.
We wrapped around the north coast of Stuart Island and down through Johns Pass to explore the splendor of New Channel. Sailed across to Flattop Island before making our way down the channel back towards Friday Harbor.
Capt Skye
Pair of bald eagles
Steller sea lions on Green Pt
Steller sea lions at Green Pt
Steller sea lions at Green Pt
Harlequin ducks near Spieden Island
Capt Skye loves being at the helm
Mouflon sheep with lamb on Spieden Island
Bald eagle in nest on Spieden Island
Interesting sheep on Stuart Island – looks like she has two babies
Turn Pt Lighthouse and Lovers Leap, Stuart Island
Distant view of the J17’s
Bald eagle guarding its nest, Stuart Island
Bald eagle on eagle pole
Harbor seal in emerald waters of New Channel
Adult and juvenile bald eagles
Juvenile bald eagle flying by
Harbor seals on Flattop Island
Flattop Island
Gorgeous geology of Flattop Island
McConnell Island
Low and Yellow Islands
Shirt Tail Reef, Low and Nob Islands
Mt Baker
Route Map 3-12-21