July 21, 2023 – We moved quickly after leaving Friday Harbor on account of a family of Biggs/Transient orcas known as the T46’s coming south in Rosario Strait. Drifted behind Canoe Island and crossed the channel to Upright Head before exiting Peavine Pass. The orcas were moving quickly and ahead of us as we took the Blakely shoreline with the ebb at 9-10 knots. We met the orcas near James Island as they slowed down and came together. While passing Bird Rocks we took some time to find a sea otter swimming on his back near some hauled out harbor seals. The orcas had moved on at speed and we met them again at the bottom of Rosario Strait. Leaving the orcas we came in to Castle Rock, Blind Island and McArdle Bay. Beautiful views of the Southern Lopez coastline. The current was near max flood at Whale Rocks with a white spray in the air which gave us an exciting sail through Cattle Pass. Looping around for a view of Goose Island cormorant colony and then a fast run home to Friday Harbor.
Picnic Pt, Shaw Island
Lopez Island coastline
Lopez Island coastline near Upright Head
Bald eagle on Lopez Island
Mt Baker with Blakely and Cypress Island
Blakely Island
Harbor seals hauled out
Blakely Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T46’s southbound in Rosario Strait
Biggs/Transient orcas T46’s southbound in Rosario Strait
Biggs/Transient orcas T46’s southbound in Rosario Strait
Biggs/Transient orcas T46’s southbound in Rosario Strait
Harbor seals hauled out on Bird Rocks
Sea otter with harbor seals at Bird Rocks
Mt Baker
Harbor seals hauled out on Bird Rocks
Harbor seal by Bird Rocks near a bull kelp forest
Cormorants at Bird Rocks
Biggs/Transient orcas T46’s southbound in Rosario Strait
Biggs/Transient orcas T46’s southbound in Rosario Strait
Biggs/Transient orcas T46’s southbound in Rosario Strait
Biggs/Transient orcas T46’s southbound in Rosario Strait
Biggs/Transient orcas T46’s southbound in Rosario Strait
Sailing towards Castle Island
Sailing towards Castle Island
Castle Island
Pigeon Guillemot
Black oystercatcher
Lopez Island coastline
Bald eagle nest on Lopez Island
Lopez Island coastline
Lopez Island coastline
Bald eagle on Lopez Island
Harbor seals hauled out
Lopez Island coastline
Lopez Island coastline
Gulls with new chicks
Bald eagle nest on Long Island
Old man’s beard
Cattle Point Lighthouse with Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Cattle Point Lighthouse, San Juan Island with chunky seas
Chunky seas in Cattle Pass
Cattle Point Lighthouse, San Juan Island
Harbor seals on Goose Island with Cattle Point Lighthouse
Cormorants on Goose Island
Cormorants and gulls with chicks on Goose Island
Pretty cool sailboat in Friday Harbor
Sailing vessel “Lady Washington” in Friday Harbor
Route map 7/21/23