July 18, 2023 – We had a great sail today as we headed south towards Cattle Pass. But first we cut through the narrow channel behind Turn Island spotting a raccoon and harbor seals and heard calls of bald eagles. After we passed Goose Island we headed out to Salmon Bank where 3-4 minkes had been reported 30 minutes earlier. We spotted one familiar minke whale who was just milling on the bank. In the distance we spotted the tall ship “Lady Washington” and watched it pass with backdrops of Mt Rainier and Mt Baker. Absolutely stunning! Next we checked out the south Lopez coastline down to Castle Island. The scenery down there is just beautiful. On some of the rocks we noticed some of the Heermann’s gulls are back. On our return we passed by Whale Rocks to see the Steller sea lions.
Mt Baker
Girl checking out raccoon
Harbor seals south of Turn Island
Cormorants on Goose Island
Gulls with new chicks on Goose Island
Minke whale on Salmon Bank
Minke whale on Salmon Bank
Minke whale on Salmon Bank
Minke whale with Mt Baker
Minke whale with Mt Baker on Salmon Bank
Minke whale with Mt Baker on Salmon Bank
Minke whale with Mt Baker on Salmon Bank
Minke whale with Mt Baker on Salmon Bank
Minke whale with Mt Rainier
Rhinoceros auklets
Active bait ball with Mt Baker backdrop
Sailing vessel “Lady Washington” with Mt Rainier
Sailing vessel “Lady Washington” with Mt Rainier
Sailing vessel “Lady Washington”
Sailing vessel “Lady Washington” with Mt Baker
Lopez Island coastline
Sailing wing on wing along south Lopez coastline
Lopez Island coastline
Castle Island
Castle Island
Bald eagle
Pigeon guillemots
Gulls and cormorant with Olympic Mountains
Gulls resting with Olympic Mountain backdrop
Black oystercatchers
Lopez Island coastline
Lopez Island coastline
Bald eagle nest on Long Island
Old man’s beard
Steller sea lion swimming by us
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
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 with Mt Baker
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Big whirlpool near Turn Rock
Route map 7/18/23