June 9, 2023 – Light misty rain on the forecast caused us to consider canceling; however there was news of orcas headed to Friday Harbor, so we figured we’d brave the rain and take our passengers to see the whales. We left early to meet the T123’s who were southbound outside the harbor. Double reefed mainsail and a small piece of head sail we were able to sail parallel for some great views. We met stronger winds as we rounded Turn Island luckily the whales came into more sheltered winds inside Griffin Bay. Strong smell of watermelon indicated they caught a harbor seal before quickly moving south and out to Salmon Bank. Steller Sea Lions were mostly quiet today resting on Whale Rocks. Strong ebb current prevented us from going further south due to 3-4 footers so we headed to Long Island and found bald eagles. While in the shelter of Long Island we heard the T123’s had turned back toward Cattle Pass porpoising against the strong ebb. We sailed to meet them at Goose Island and came into Griffin Bay with them. Rains increased and so we returned to Friday Harbor after a really fun adventure.
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s outside Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s outside Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T123’s outside Friday Harbor
Harbor seals on the rocks
Biggs/Transient Orca T123A
Biggs/Transient Orcas T123’s heading towards Griffin Bay in chunky seas
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Bald eagle on Long Island
Bald eagle on Long Island
Biggs/Transient Orca T123A passing Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Biggs/Transient Orcas T123’s coming in through Cattle Pass
Biggs/Transient Orcas T123’s coming in through Cattle Pass
Biggs/Transient Orcas T123’s coming in through Cattle Pass
Bald eagle fly by
Biggs/Transient Orcas T123’s passing Goose Island
Biggs/Transient Orcas T123’s passing Goose Island
Biggs/Transient Orcas T123’s passing Goose Island
Cormorants on Goose Island
Harbor seals on Goose Island
Harbor porpoise in Cattle Pass going opposite direction from orcas
Biggs/Transient Orcas T123’s northbound San Jun Channel
Biggs/Transient Orcas T123’s northbound San Jun Channel
Biggs/Transient Orcas T123’s northbound San Jun Channel
Biggs/Transient Orcas T123’s northbound San Jun Channel
Biggs/Transient Orca T123A
Harbor seals on the rocks
Sailing around Turn Island
Our happy passengers
Route map 6/9/23