June 7, 2023 – After casting off from Friday Harbor we set a course for south. Sailing around Turn Island we spotted raccoons foraging on the tide line and harbor seals resting on the rocks. At Goose Island we snapped photos of the harbor seals and believe the elephant seal was still hanging out there laying off to the side by itself. Cormorants were busy tending to their nests. The Steller sea lions were busy being rambunctious at Whale Rocks while a bald eagle perched on the nearby rock.
On Salmon Bank we spotted three different minke whales. One was engaged with foraging through big bait balls. An awesome sight to see. After a great minke encounter we headed south towards the bottom of MacArthur Bank/top of Smith Bank to see humpback whale BCZ0298 known as “Split Fin”, a 17 year old male humpback whale. At first it was tricky getting a beat on his next location after the deep dive, but eventually we got dialled in and had some stunning views. The deep exhale was so powerful upon each surfacing and so cool to hear. Such big lungs…
We returned via Iceberg Pt and came through the islands near Long Island stopping to see the sea lions once again. A quick sail home on the flood current.
Mt Baker viewed from Friday Harbor
Raccoon foraging on Turn Island
Harbor seals hauled out
Possibly the elephant seal that has recently been on Goose Island
Cormorants nesting on Goose Island
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Little sea lion pup laying on top of the other
Bald eagle on Whale Rocks
Minke whale surfacing on Salmon Bank
Minke whale surfacing on Salmon Bank
Minke whale surfacing on Salmon Bank
Minke whale surfacing on Salmon Bank
Minke whale with Olympic Mountains
Minke whale with Olympic Mountains
Minke whale arching before going on a deeper dive
Minke whale with Olympic Mountains
Active bait ball – lots of fish at the surface
Minke whale milling on Salmon Bank
Active bait ball with Mt Baker in the distance
Minke whale lunging through a bait ball
Minke whale lunging through a bait ball
Minke whale feeding
Minke whale surfacing
Minke whale surfacing
Minke whale surfacing
S/V Zodiac with Olympic Mountains
Rhinoceros auklets on a log
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin” with Mt Baker
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin” with Mt Baker
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin” surfacing
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin”
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin”
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin” arching to go on a deeper dive
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0298 “Split Fin” tail flukes
Bald eagle flying away with something it grabbed from water
Big whirlpools in Cattle Pass
One of many harbor porpoise in San Juan Channel
Route map 6/7/23