September 19, 2022 – After casting off we headed north to visit some of our favorite places. We stopped at Flattop and White Rock National Wildlife Refuges. An orca report came in of two brothers, T60D and T60E, who were southbound at the top of Navy Channel. We met the orcas at the bottom Plumper Sound. The orcas circled Blunden Island and headed west along South Pender Island stopping to hunt harbor seals near Tilly Pt. After some incredible views of the orcas we headed south towards Stuart Island and hugged the coastline down. An osprey flew overhead – we’ve seen one by Stuart several times before. In New Channel we spotted a few bald eagles before continuing down San Juan Channel in the sunset.
WA State Ferry in Wasp Passage with Mt Baker
Harbor seals on Low Island
Harbor seals on Flattop Island
Harbor seals on Flattop Island
Orca surfacing
Biggs orca T60E
Biggs orca T60D
Biggs orca brothers T60D and T60E with Mt Baker
Orcas hugging S Pender coastline
Orca exhale
Orca with exhale
Biggs orcas hugging the South Pender coastline
Orca spy peep
Orcas rounding Tilly Pt
T60D and T60E traveling close to shore along Pender
T60D and T60E traveling close to shore along Pender
T60D and T60E traveling close to shore along Pender
T60D and T60E traveling close to shore along Pender
Distant view of Mt Baker with Skipjack Island
T60D and T60E hunting a harbor seal
Orca surfacing
Orca tail slap
T60D and T60E hunting a harbor seal
Harbor seal in front of orca
Harbor seal in front of orca
Harbor seal surfacing alongside orca
Biggs orcas T60D and T60E hunting harbor seals
Biggs orcas T60D and T60E hunting harbor seals
Biggs orcas T60D and T60E hunting harbor seals
Biggs orcas T60D and T60E traveling along Pender again
Biggs orcas T60D and T60E traveling along Pender again
Biggs orcas T60D and T60E traveling along Pender again
Sailing towards Turn Pt Lighthouse, Stuart Island
Turn Pt Lighthouse, Stuart Island
Sailing along Lovers Leap, Stuart Island
Cormorants in a hiding place
Osprey near Stuart Island
Sailing along Stuart Island
Cool geology on Stuart Island
Johns Pass
Kelp bed with Flattop Island in the distance
Kelp bed with Ripple Island in the distance
Bull kelp bed
Bald eagle
Bald eagle
Bald eagle in the setting sun
Sunset over San Juan Island
Route map 9-19-22
Orca and harbor seal face off