May 13, 2022 – Today we had a special sail honoring a friend who passed away. Today is her birthday.
Getting the opportunity to sail with two big male orcas including the oldest known Transient/Biggs orca, T87 (estimated 60 yrs old) and his 30 yr old companion T124C (born 1992) was a real treat. It’s not every day we have orcas right outside the harbor as we leave! Other trip highlights included harbor seals by Pear Pt, Sharks Reef and Deadman Island, a black tailed deer on the shore of Turn Island, a pair of Steller sea lions eating a Giant Pacific octopus, black oystercatchers, nesting cormorants on Goose Island, orcas passing Cattle Point Lighthouse, Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks, a bald eagle in the nest on Shaw Island, and a great blue heron welcoming us back to Friday Harbor. There was also a report of a sea otter by Turn Rock, but we didn’t find him after the initial sighting. Lastly, we’ll never forget the hummingbird who stopped by to see us (hi Toi!). Great friends, delicious spread of yummy foods, flowers kissed and tossed, orca exhales, new memories made. A perfect day.
Harbor seals hauled out near the pass by Turn Island
Harbor seals hauled out near the pass by Turn Island
Black tailed deer on Turn Island
Center for Whale Research
Long time friends
T124C with T87
T124C
T87
T87
T87 dorsal fin going down
T124C
Sailing whale watching
Taking it all in
Steller sea lion thrashing a Giant Pacific Octopus
Steller sea lion thrashing a Giant Pacific Octopus
Steller sea lion eating a Giant Pacific Octopus
Steller sea lion eating a Giant Pacific Octopus
Steller sea lion eating a Giant Pacific Octopus
Pair of sea lions finished their octopus lunch
Black oystercatchers
T124C
T87
Biggs orcas heading out of Cattle Pass
Nesting birds on Goose Island
T124C with Cattle Point Lighthouse
T87 with Cattle Point Lighthouse
T124C and T87 with Cattle Point Lighthouse
T124C with Cattle Point Lighthouse
T124C with exhale
T87 and T124C heading towards Salmon Bank
Flower floating away
Happy Heavenly Birthday wishes
Happy Heavenly Birthday wishes
Jumping sea lion
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks with Olympic Mountains
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Harbor seals by Deadman Island
Harbor seals by Deadman Island
Bald eagle
Harbor seals by Shark Reef
Harbor seals by Shark Reef
Big Rock on Lopez Island coastline
Big Rock
Mt Baker
Bald eagle in the nest on Shaw
Another bald eagle in a different nest on Shaw Island
Sun going down over San Juan Island
Barbara and Skye
Great blue heron at the entrance to Friday Harbor
Route map 5-13-22