July 5, 2023 – On today’s sail we had many wildlife sightings. With the low tide we spotted many harbor seals hauled out throughout the area. A raccoon was foraging on Turn Island, and bald eagles perched in nearby trees. We headed south to Cattle Pass and checked out the cormorants on Goose Island. There were many harbor seals and Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks. Black oystercatchers were all around today, too. Another fun find was a large cluster of purple ochre sea stars.
We decided to hug the Lopez coastline around to Castle Rock. Originally we were going to head south from there to see a humpback whale who was pointed North up Rosario, but an orca report came in so we chose the orcas instead. The Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s were moving south from Bird Rocks and we met them at Watmough Head. Together we wrapped around the island and headed back to Castle Rock. After some nice views it was time to head back. We passed some great blue herons and had another pass by the sea lions before sailing back up San Juan Channel.
Low tide on Turn Island
Raccoon foraging on Turn Island
Harbor seals resting on the rocks by Turn Island
Bald eagle
Harbor seals resting on the rocks by Turn Island
Harbor seals asleep on the rocks
Cormorants on Goose Island
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Life at Whale Rocks
Black oystercatchers flying by
Harbor seals on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Harbor seals
Black oystercatcher
Purple ochre sea stars
Marbled murrelets
Pink flamingo fun
Sailing towards Castle Rock
Bald eagle
Castle Rock
Pigeon Guillemot
Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s
Biggs/Transient orca T99B
Biggs/Transient orca T99D
Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s passing Castle Rock
Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s passing Castle Rock
Biggs/Transient orca T99C
Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s near south Lopez Island
Biggs/Transient orca T99C
Biggs/Transient orca T99C
Harbor seal not too concerned about the orcas swimming by
Biggs/Transient orca T99C
Biggs/Transient orcas T99D with mother T99
Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s near south Lopez Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s passing close to kelp forest
Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s passing close to the rocks
Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s passing close to the rocks
Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s passing close to the rocks
Lopez Island coastline
Black oystercatcher
Black oystercatcher
Great blue heron
Great blue heron
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Route map 7/5/23