August 13, 2021 – We had plans to head north today and use the ebb to sail from New Channel to Mandarte Island. However, with news of 15 Biggs/transient orcas way south of Victoria traveling eastbound we decided to go south with the chance to see them.
We took the pass behind Turn Island State Park. After exiting the pass we heard a passing boat near the bottom of Shaw Island announcing over a speaker to “keep all eyes on the whale”, so we changed course to head that way. The boat turned around and then headed quickly up Upright Channel so we tried to catch up while scanning. We never saw the blows or fins so we resumed our southerly course. It wasn’t until awhile after that we realized that the boat had been southbound and turned around to the north momentarily to see a passing whale (perhaps) and then resumed course. So, if there was a whale present it may have been northbound not eastbound like the direction they headed. It could’ve been a minke whale whom we’ve seen in the channel in recent weeks in that area.
Sailing down San Juan Channel we cruised at roughly 6 knots all the way to Cattle Pass. Passed by Goose Island bird rookery and Whale Rocks sea lion haul out site before searching Salmon Bank for minke whales. Nobody had found any today until quite later after the flood was in full swing (which seems to be the time we find them there). There were loads of birds on the bank including common murres, rhinoceros auklets, phalaropes, grebes, cormorants and gulls. With a report of a minke whale at MacArthur Bank we headed East. However, the whale also headed East at speed. When we eventually caught up to him he/she changed course towards Smith Island and we had a few good glimpses.
We returned via the Southern Lopez coastline from Castle Rock. One of our trip highlights was seeing a black oystercatcher flying to his home to feed his two chicks. A bald eagle was busy eating a gull on the point east of Iceberg and a pair of bald eagles stood on Deadman Island. The fire haze added a different element to the day with suspended ash in the air and on the ground hiding the mountains and limiting visibility. White skies and a pinkish hue from a hot pink sun.
Harbor seals on the beach
Harbor seals hauled out. Looking South to Olympic Mountains
Sailing towards Goose Island
Goose Island
Steller sea lions
Steller sea lions
Steller sea lions
Gull chicks
Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Harbor porpoise
Phalaropes
Lots of gulls/diving birds
Minke whale
S Lopez coast
Harbor seal hanging out
Black oystercatcher flying with food for chicks
Black oystercatcher bringing food for chicks (there were two)
Black oystercatcher bringing food for chicks
Piece of Castle Rock
Bald eagle finishing lunch
Harbor seals and pretty landscapes
Birds on Hall Island
Bald eagle on Long Island
Pair of bald eagles
Route map 8-13-21