Biggs Orcas T46B's take us to Boiling Reef

June 8, 2021 – As we were about to cast off from the dock we got a report of orcas near Pt Disney, Waldron Island. Our passengers were excited at the chance to see the orcas who were identified as the T46B’s (minus the T46B1’s). The orcas turned east in Presidents Channel moving away from us we kept up the pace with the hopes to catch up. We had wind up San Juan Channel, but once we reached Presidents Channel it was like glass. We were surrounded by gorgeous scenery in every direction. With the ebb current against them the orcas took their time moving up the channel. When we reached Pt Hammond we started seeing the fins and blows of the orcas. They zig zagged their way north passing a lone seal and many harbor porpoise on the way. They paralleled the US/Canada border but to our delight stayed on the US side. At Boiling Reef the currents were impressive. Porpoise were popping up all around us. The orcas did a 180 and turned back south treading water against the now strong flooding current. We paralleled them for a bit, but after one long down time they disappeared on us. Presumably they turned back north and zoomed away quickly on the flood. We had a great orca encounter and it was time to start making our way back. We came back via Patos Island seeing the bald eagle near its massive nest and looked for the chick reported earlier but didn’t see it peering out. We crossed over to Sucia Island admiring the honeycombed rock before crossing to Pt Doughty. Here we heard Peregrine falcons calling – one on the cliff top and another flying by twice. Hugged the Orcas Island forested shoreline under sail for a good portion of the way with our young passenger taking the helm.