October 26, 2022 – A bit chilly today, but winds were great for sailing today. We found many bald eagles including one near the empty cormorant nests on Goose Island and another on Cattle Pt Lighthouse. Harbor seals were hauled out resting on the rocks and the Steller sea lions were up to their usual shenanigans on Whale Rocks. There was a report of orcas southbound from Salmon Bank so we tried to catch up with them. One of the whale watch boats caught up to them and identified them as Southern Resident orcas from J pod. Sea conditions were very sloppy and they were moving quickly south to Puget Sound so we came about and scanned Salmon Bank for minke whales instead. Unfortunately, we didn’t find any, but we saw lots of birds in the area. We returned via Whale Rocks to see the Steller sea lions and Deadman Island to see the harbor seals.
Sailing on an autumn day
Fast close-hauled sail down San Juan Channel
Bald eagle perched in tree
Harbor seals on the beach of Goose Island
Bald eagle on Goose Island near cormorant nests
Bald eagle on Goose Island near cormorant nests
Bald eagle on top of Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Sailing wing on wing
Common murres
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Cormorants
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks with Olympic Mountains
Bald eagle near Deadman Island
Harbor seals by Deadman Island
Harbor seal resting on a rock
Harbor seal resting on a rock
Harbor seal resting on a rock
Seaplanes in Friday Harbor
Route map 10-26-22