June 28, 2023 – We headed south after leaving Friday Harbor into the mystical fog. As we reached Cattle Pass fog was getting thicker. By Deadman Island we saw harbor seals, black oystercatchers and a bald eagle. Steller sea lions were resting on Whale Rocks. Hugged the Lopez coastline getting glimpses of the scenery through the fog. When we reached Castle Rock the fog began to lift opening up the big picture and even the Olympic Mountains were totally visible.
We decided to go down to Smith Island to search for whales and puffins – we found 4 tufted puffins! Another boat found the two humpbacks we were looking for southwest of MacArthur Bank, siblings BCX1057 “Divot” and BCZ0298 “Split Fin”. Absolutely magical being in their presence and hearing their deep exhales and watching their big tail flukes raise high above the water before their deep dive. On our way back we sailed by Deadman Island again and found what was probably the same harbor seals, black oystercatchers and the bald eagle.
Mt Baker in the fog seen from Friday Harbor
Wa State Ferry emerging from the fog
Fog rolling in over Shaw Island
Mt Baker in the fog
Sailing around Turn Island
Harbor seal swimming by
Raccoon on Turn Island foraging on the tide line
Harbor seals hauled out in the channel near Turn Island
Harbor seals hauled out on the rocks in San Juan Channel
Pair of bald eagles near Cattle Pass
Harbor seals on Goose Island
Cormorants on Goose Island with Cattle Pt Lighthouse behind in the fog
Cormorants on Goose Island
Harbor seal resting in the fog by Deadman Island
Black oystercatchers resting near Deadman Island
Black oystercatchers playing chase near Deadman Island
Bald eagle in the fog overlooking Deadman Island
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks in the fog
Harlequin duck near Whale Rocks in the fog
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks in the fog
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks in the fog
Quite the current rip at Whale Rocks near the sea lions
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks in the fog
Sailing along Lopez Island in foggy conditions
Sailing near south Lopez Island with the fog lifting
Black tailed deer on Lopez Island
Sailing near south Lopez Island with the fog lifting
Bald eagle nest on Lopez island
Sailing towards Castle Rock
Mt Baker sitting on a fog bank
Black oystercatchers near Colville Island
Smith Island
Cormorants nesting on Minor Island
Smith Island Light
Tufted Puffin near Smith Island
Tufted Puffin near Smith Island
Tufted Puffin near Smith Island
Tufted Puffin near Smith Island
Humpback whale BCX1057 “Divot”with Olympic Mountains
Humpback whales BCZ0298 “Split Fin” with Olympic Mountains
Humpback whale BCX1057 “Divot” with Olympic Mountains
Humpback whale BCZ0298 “Split Fin”
Humpback whale BCX1057 “Divot”
Humpback whale BCX1057 “Divot” arching before a deep dive
Humpback whales BCZ0298 “Split Fin” and BCX1057 “Divot”with Olympic Mountains
Humpback whale with Olympic Mountains
Humpback whale BCZ0298 “Split Fin”
Humpback whale tail flukes of BCZ0298 “Split Fin”
Humpback whale tail flukes of BCX1057 “Divot”
Humpback whale tail flukes of BCX1057 “Divot”
Sailing whale watching in paradise all by ourselves
Humpback whale with Olympic Mountains
Humpback whale tail flukes of BCX1057 “Divot”
Humpback whale tail flukes of BCX1057 “Divot”
Humpback whale BCX1057 “Divot” with Olympic Mountains
Humpback whales BCZ0298 “Split Fin” and BCX1057 “Divot”
Humpback whale BCX1057 “Divot” with Olympic Mountains
Humpback whale exhale
Humpback whales BCZ0298 “Split Fin” and BCX1057 “Divot”
Humpback whale BCX1057 “Divot”
Humpback whale dorsal fin of BCX1057 “Divot”
Humpback whale dorsal fin of BCZ0298 “Split Fin”
Humpback whale tail lifting above water before deep dive
Steller sea lions napping on Whale Rocks – he looks to be smiling
Steller sea lions napping on Whale Rocks – look at the claws on that flipper
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Bald eagle overlooking Deadman Island
Harbor seal resting by Deadman Island
Black oystercatchers resting near Deadman Island
Harbor seals resting by Deadman Island
Harbor seals resting by Deadman Island
Birthday cake celebrations for one of our passengers
Bald eagle
Mt Baker viewed from the south entrance to Friday Harbor
Route map 6/28/23