Sunset sail to Flattop Island

May 25, 2021 – A lovely evening sunset sail. We began our trip heading south to circumnavigate Turn Island State Park where many harbor seals were hauled out warming up in the sunshine. We’ve been noticing a specific harbor seal we’ve seen over the years that has no pelage. He/she stands out like a sore thumb (to us). We sometimes refer to it as the ‘black matte seal’, but recently we call it ‘the naked seal’. It always brings us joy when we see it since it’s so recognizable.

Crossing the channel to Shaw Island we took a look at the bald eagle nest but nobody was home that we could see, although there was an eagle nearby. Weaved our way through the Wasp Islands passing black oystercatchers along the way as we continued up to Spring Passage. The views opened up as we neared the top of Jones Island. The clouds were beautiful all around us. Up to Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge admiring the geology in the evening light showing off the many layers of time before making our way to Green Pt, Spieden Island to see the Steller sea lions.

The sunset was gorgeous and the full moon rise over Friday Harbor was quite a show stopper.