Another Epic sail with Biggs orcas T90's and T49A2

April 21, 2021 – Leaving Friday Harbor we paused in deciding north or south by sailing to Shaw Island. As we arrived at Pt George we heard that the T90’s and T49A3 were at Green Pt where we left them yesterday. So we set a course to the north keeping out of the ebb by sailing in between the Wasp Islands. Yellow Island was blooming with color. The orcas cut through Roche Harbor into Mosquito Pass. We rode the ebb tide down Spieden Channel and the outside of Henry Island. There was a Peregrine falcon perched on a Douglas fir at Kellett Bluff. We continued on the ebb and met the orcas nearing Lime Kiln Point State Park.

The orcas moved offshore and began a zig zag pattern as if hunting for harbor porpoise which took us close to the border. At the shoals north of Middle Bank a hunt began of a Steller sea lion who was close to a Canadian zodiac. As we watched and photographed the event we were taken by surprise when the sea lion poked his head up at our stern. He circled us and glommed onto the hull. He was very large and our passengers reported that he had bad teeth. We set sails to head for home via Cattle Pt and the sea lion remained under us while the orcas followed behind for the next five miles over an hour and a half of sailing at 3.5 knots.

A little over a mile from Eagle Cove the sea lion left the refuge of our boat and headed for shore. The orcas became aware he was awry about ten minutes later. The orcas traveled at speed and caught up with the sea lion resuming their hunt. The approximately 4 yr old calf, T90D, was first up charging the sea lion while the other orcas remained on the fringe blocking the escape including to our boat. Little by little others started joining in. The charges were powerful producing 10 foot waves of spray as the orcas were leaping all around knocking the 2,000 lb sea lion into the air. Thirty minutes later the action diminished and they appeared to be eating. A somber moment as we resumed our sail to Cattle Point.

At Whale Rocks the sea lions were hauled out in the setting sun and spotting a sea otter helped lift our spirits.