August 25, 2022 – We sailed south after casting off from Friday Harbor. Cut across to the Lopez side of the channel and hugged the coastline down as fog began rolling in creating a magical scene. Coming inside Deadman Island we spotted a black oystercatcher foraging, harbor seals hauled out and a bald eagle watching us pass by. At Whale Rocks the Steller sea lions were joined by a rare visitor again today… a sea otter! The sea lions were playing in the overfalls in the raging currents near their haul out site. Out on Salmon Bank we found a minke whale known as “Trotsky II” and a bald eagle perched on top of Cattle Pt Lighthouse on our way back to Cattle Pass. Cormorants were still busy on their nests at Goose Island.
Totem Pole on Brown Island
Sailing around Turn Island
Ferry with Turn Island
Harbor seals by Turn Island
Big Rock on Lopez Island
Black oystercatcher
Black oystercatcher
Bald eagle
Harbor seals by Deadman Island
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions and cormorants at Whale Rocks
Cattle Pt Lighthouse with fog
A rare sea otter at Whale Rocks!
A rare sea otter at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions and cormorants at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lion playing in waves at Whale Rocks
Waves and swirling currents at Whale Rocks
Waves and swirling currents at Whale Rocks
Cattle Pt Lighthouse with fog
Minke whale ‘Trotsky II’ on Salmon Bank
Minke whale ‘Trotsky II’ on Salmon Bank
Minke whale ‘Trotsky II’ on Salmon Bank
Bald eagle on top of Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Waves and swirling currents in Cattle Pass
Cormorants nesting on Goose Island
Sailing in San Juan Channel back to Friday Harbor
Route map 8-25-22