Sailing south through the fog

July 9, 2021 – We set off to the south on the ebb with fog oozing its way around the islands in all directions creating a mystical effect as we spotted wildlife along the way. Harbor seals snoozed while a bald eagle perched on the rocks at Sharks Reef. At Deadman Island we spotted our favorite black matte “naked” harbor seal resting with a few others. Purple ochre sea stars dotted the waterline on the low tide. Harbor seals slept while Steller sea lions were busy with their shenanigans on Whale Rocks. Gulls were in distress when a bald eagle came swooping in and stole one of their chicks from their nest – a sad sight to see. We thought we’d head out to Salmon Bank to spot for minke whales in the location where they’d been spotted over the last few days, but conditions were a little lumpy and so we changed course to ride the flood current back into Cattle Pass. We sailed passed Goose Island and spotted the cormorants nesting on the island through the fog that had gotten heavier. It was a pleasant sail and we cruised north quickly on the flood. Changed course to cut behind Turn Island State Park spotting more harbor seals enjoying their nap on the rocks.