Humpbacks BCY0324 Big Mama and calf by Saturna Island

May 23, 2022 – After leaving Friday Harbor we made quick progress sailing north up San Juan Channel with a plan to catch up with a humpback whale traveling up Haro Strait. We did our best to dodge the rain drops of a passing shower before crossing Spieden Channel to hug the south side of Spieden Island. Bald eagles, pigeon guillemots, exotic Mouflon Sheep were out and about. Another report came in of two humpback whales near South Pender Island which included our favorite humpback whale known as “Big Mama” BCY0324 and her newest 7th known calf born early this year. She is a pioneer – she was the first humpback whale to return in 1997 after 100 years absence for any humpback whales since they were hunted to extinction in this region.

As we reached the bottom of Stuart Island we changed course and cut through Johns Pass and into Boundary Pass across the Canada border. Passing Java Rocks we spotted many harbor seals hauled out, heard the calls of black oystercatchers, and spotted a bald eagle perched on top of the rocks. Continuing on we passed by the stunning cliff face of Monarch Head and met up with Big Mama and calf close to the Saturna Island shoreline. They traveled leisurely eastbound but woke up with a massive breach followed by a chin slap just as we were turning to exit the area. Quite a surprise to all of us and such an awesome sight to see. After the next surfacing sequence we broke off and made our way back towards Friday Harbor via Waldron Island and the gorgeous forested north coast of Orcas Island. As we cut through the Wasp Islands we drifted by a bald eagle on Shirt Tail Reef before sailing across the channel back to the harbor.