June 17, 2022 – Today was a very special sail with repeat guests including the one and only “Nana”. And, it was another epic adventure in the books and extra special getting to share our day with two families of Biggs/Transient orcas – the T123’s and the T137’s. We caught up with the orcas inter-island just west of Obstruction Island. The orcas were tread milling against the tide swimming in place. Until… out of the blue the orcas began racing around in a tight group swimming in circles. We weren’t sure if they were hunting or what was going on. Before we knew it, it was all over and the two families split going their separate ways. Maybe that was their way of saying good-bye. The T137’s headed northeast and the T123’s headed south along Blakely Island.
We decided to stay with the T123’s. We observed some hunting behavior in Rosario Strait after they exited Thatcher Pass. After leaving the orcas we cut back through Peavine Pass and had a fantastic sail down Upright Channel sharing stories and gaining wisdom from our friend “Nana'”. What a day!
Our passengers and crew
Picnic Pt Shaw Island
Upright Head
Sailing by Upright Head towards Obstruction Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s with T137’s
Sailing whale watching
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s with T137’s just west of Obstruction Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s with T137’s treadmilling against the tide
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s with T137’s treadmilling against the tide
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s with T137’s treadmilling against the tide
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s with T137’s treadmilling against the tide
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s with T137’s treadmilling against the tide
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s with T137’s treadmilling against the tide
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s with T137’s treadmilling against the tide
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s and T137’s milling in circles swimming fast!
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s popped up in the distance going their separate way from T123’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s southbound along Blakely Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s southbound along Blakely Island
Biggs/Transient orca T123A southbound along Blakely Island
Biggs/Transient orca T123A headed out into Rosario Strait
Biggs/Transient orca T123 headed out into Rosario Strait
Harbor seals hauled out
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s hunting
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s hunting
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s hunting
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s northbound in Rosario
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s passing close by rocks where harbor seals hang out
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s passing close by rocks where harbor seals hang out
Sailing whale watching
T123A “Stanley”
T123A “Stanley” with eel grass draped over dorsal fin
Blakey Island
Bald eagle
Bald eagle
Bald eagle nest Blakely Island
Sailing in the San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out
Bald eagle nest Lopez Island
WA State Ferry passing us by
A fast close-hauled sail back down Upright Channel
Reid Rock
Capt Barbara at the helm with sleeping baby in her arms
Route map 6-17-22