September 8, 2021 – Today we started our sail heading south. As we reached Cattle Pass we heard of a pod of orcas in Rosario Strait so we changed course to head that way. When we arrived near the Peapod Rocks the T65A’s and T65B’s (sisters with each of their offspring) were engaged in hunting. The orcas were high speed swimming this way and that way and eventually continued northbound. We sailed with the orcas getting some fantastic views, but eventually broke off to continue our trip circumnavigating Orcas Island. After sailing down the beautiful northern coastline of Orcas Island we got lucky seeing another orca family known as the T18’s near Spring Passage. They too were engaged in hunting when we arrived. There were tails in the air and orca spy hops. Eventually they continued north and we headed south back to Friday Harbor. A stellar September day.
Sailing with reefed sails
Goose Island and Cattle Point
Sailing near Flat Point, Lopez Island
Sailing near Upright Head, Lopez Island
View from Upright Head looking towards Mt Baker
T65A’s and T65Bs near Peapod Rocks
Backward swimming indicative of orca engaged in eating
T65A’s and T65B’s porpoising
T65A’s and T65B’s porpoising
T65A’s and T65B’s porpoising
T65A’s and T65B’s swimming fast – chasing prey?
T65A’s and T65B’s swimming fast – chasing prey?
T65A’s and T65B’s swimming fast – chasing prey?
T65A2
T65A’s and T65B’s flipped direction going back north
T65A’s and T65B’s flipped direction going back north
T65A’s and T65B’s flipped direction going back north
T65A’s and T65B’s northbound in Rosario Strait
T65A’s and T65B’s northbound in Rosario Strait
T65A’s and T65B’s northbound in Rosario Strait
T65A’s and T65B’s northbound in Rosario Strait
T65A’s and T65B’s northbound in Rosario Strait
T65A’s and T65B’s northbound in Rosario Strait
Madrone trees, Clark Island
Pt Doughty, Orcas Island
Orca tail slap
T65A’s and T65B’s
T65A’s and T65B’s
T65A’s and T65B’s
T65B1
Harbor seals
Orcas Island coastline
Orcas Island coastline
Sailing towards Orcas Island
Orcas Island coastline
Bald eagle nest, Orcas Island
T18’s in Spring Passage
T18’s in Spring Passage
T18’s in Spring Passage
Orca spy hop
Male orca tail flukes in the air
T19C
T19C
T19C
T18
T19B on the left with T19
Sailing towards Nob Island
View from Nob Island
View from Nob Island looking northwest
Bald eagle
Pt Caution forest
Sailing back to Friday Harbor in the setting sun
Route map 9-8-21