May 27, 2023 – A gorgeous day with moderately strong winds for sailing. With reefed sails we worked our way up the channel. We met up with a pair of humpback whales who were now southbound from the NE side of San Juan Island at Limestone Point. The humpbacks were identified at BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX173 “Valiant”. They had come down from East Point, Saturna Island. Backlit blows and spray made them easy to spot each time they surfaced. They navigated their way through the gauntlet of prawn traps set all over the channel and went right by a very busy Friday Harbor.
After some magical time with these two incredible whales we broke away at Turn Island to sail around Canoe Island and back across San Juan Channel as the sun set.
Wind surfer in Friday Harbor
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX173 “Valiant”
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant”
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant”
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama
Humpback whales BCX173 “Valiant” and BCY0324 “Big Mama”
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant”
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX173 “Valiant”
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant” passing Pt Caution
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” passing Pt Caution
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX173 “Valiant”
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX173 “Valiant”
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX173 “Valiant”
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant” passing Friday Harbor
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant” passing Friday Harbor
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” passing Friday Harbor
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX173 “Valiant” passing Friday Harbor
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX173 “Valiant” passing Friday Harbor
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant” passing WA State Ferry at Friday Harbor
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant” passing WA State Ferry at Friday Harbor
Humpback whale BCX173 “Valiant” with WA State Ferry at Friday Harbor
Mt Baker
Sailing around Canoe Island
Picnic Pt, Shaw Island
Sailing around Canoe Island
S/V “Glory of the Seas” anchored near Lopez Island
Sunset sail around the Shaw Island coastline
Sunset sail back to Friday Harbor
Shaw Island coastline
Shaw Island coastline
Bald eagle on Reid Rock
Route map 5/27/23 pm trip