Epic sail with T90's and T49A2 in New Channel

April 20, 2021 – Leaving Friday Harbor we sailed from Point Caution to Point George on Shaw Island and drifted the Shaw Coastline. Highlights included an eagles nest, a river otter, harbor seals and the haunting call of a loon. Continuing south on a nice close hauled sail from Pear Point to Big Rock glacial erratic and tacked to sail to Harbor View Rock. It was a beautiful, peaceful sail and we were reaching a favorite wildlife hot spot when we received a report of orcas hunting in Deer Harbor.

It was a tricky call to change from our peaceful sail and motor sail against the ebb with a sliver of a chance we could catch up with the orcas. But we went for it and succeeded in meeting them in Spieden Channel. We heard that they were involved in a scuffle with four sea lions near Limestone Point. We had a good view as they wrapped around Sentinel Island and hugged the Spieden coastline and wrapped around to New Channel, our favorite place. The backlit blows and reflections in the fast moving still waters were magical.

We left for awhile to cut through the Cactus Islands seeing a river otter, a couple bald eagles and more seals. We could see the blows over the rocky reefs. Drifting on the ebb we passed the steller sea lions at Green Point as did the orcas. They targeted a lone sea lion who received a number of powerful hits, but they left him to check out others near Limestone Point. We set course for home as they returned to Green Point once again. They were at Green Point the following day around noon.