Biggs Orcas T128 and T125A & Sabine's Gulls on Hein Bank

May 26, 2021 – We headed South today on the tail of an ebb and an extreme low tide with an 11’ drop to -3’ one day after the full moon. We took the pass inside Turn Island and wondered at the new sights of rocks and beaches exposed. Our familiar black matte harbor seal with the missing pelage was there – our first time seeing her this year. We heard a report of 3 Minke whales at Salmon Bank and continued sailing across to the Lopez shoreline to head that way. Following the coastline we passed Shark Reef noticing many harbor seals and harlequin ducks. Passing Deadman Island we saw one black oystercatcher, two purple sea stars and one bald eagle in the dead tree it likes to roost in. Out to Whale Rocks the sea lions were quite active and we had a brief view fo a sea otter. We’re noticing very few huge males (like we normally see) and lots of small animals including what looks like females and pups. We then picked up a report of orcas passing Eagle Point and headed in that direction. We met the two brothers, T125A and T128, at Middle Bank and sailed alongside until we crossed Hein Bank. We sailed North passing a large group of rare visitors, Sabine’s Gulls, near Hein Bank who usually reside in the Arctic. There were some active bait balls on Salmon Bank but no sign of the minkes who were there earlier. Catching the tail of the flood gave us good speed passed Whale Rocks and up San Juan Channel where water conditions turned to glassy finishing off a perfect day.