June 23, 2023 – With very light winds and an orca report of orcas (T46B1’s with T46C2) in Haro Strait heading north from D’arcy Island we made quick progress north in that direction. While cruising by the Spieden Island coastline we spotted a bunch of activity involving bald eagles, turkey vultures and crows eating two different dead animals near the top of the island. One of them looked like a Mouflon sheep. Bald eagles were fighting locking talons in air spiralling down while others came swooping into the scene to take their turn.
We continued on our way hugging the Stuart Island shoreline up to Turn Point Lighthouse before branching off to cross the Canadian border where we met the orcas between Moresby and Portland Islands. It was cute seeing the young calf of T46B, T46B1C, first seen last October. On our way back towards Friday Harbor we got to see a humpback whale known as BCY1137 “Crenel” – one we’ve never seen before. It was traveling northwest near the south side of Stuart Island. In New Channel we spotted a Peregrine falcon on Spieden Island as well as harbor seals, more bald eagles, and pigeon guillemots.
Bald eagle
Black tailed deer
Belted kingfisher
Great blue heron
Garry Oak tree on Spieden Island
Bald eagles, vultures and crows eating dead mammal on Spieden Island
Fallow Deer on Spieden Island
Bald eagle with nest on Spieden Island
Bald eagles, vultures and crows eating dead mammal on Spieden Island
Harbor seal on Spieden Island
Turn Pt Lighthouse and Lovers Leap on Stuart Island
T46B1 with youngest offspring T46B1C
T46B1’s and T46C2 traveling north by Moresby Island
T46B1 with youngest offspring T46B1C
T46B1’s and T46C2 traveling north by Moresby Island
T46B1’s and T46C2 traveling north by Moresby Island
T46B1 with youngest offspring T46B1C
T46B1’s and T46C2 traveling north by Moresby Island
T46B1’s and T46C2 traveling north by Moresby Island
Harbor seals hauled out
Ferry from Vancouver to Sidney, BC
Harbor seals hauled out on Stuart Island
Harbor seals hauled out on Stuart Island
Coastline of Stuart Island
Bald eagles on Stuart Island
Humpback whale BCY1137 “Crenel” by Stuart Island
Humpback whale BCY1137 “Crenel” dorsal fin
Humpback whale BCY1137 “Crenel”
Humpback whale BCY1137 “Crenel”
Humpback whale BCY1137 “Crenel” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY1137 “Crenel” tail flukes
Canada Geese on Stuart Island
Peregrine falcon on Spieden Island
Pigeon Guillemot with fish
Nob Island
Route map 6/23/23