July 28, 2023 – With a report of a humpback whale northbound along the westside of San Juan Island we moved quickly north to get a chance to see her. It was a humpback we’ve seen before known as BCZ0414 “Zephyr”. She is the granddaughter of the famous “Big Mama” , twelve years old and a mother of 2. We watched the whale as she traveled up Haro Strait with approximately 6 minute down times, good surface time, and showing her beautiful white tail flukes as she dove. Upon leaving the whale we checked out Turn Point Lighthouse on Stuart Island and then hugged the southern coastline down and across to New Channel north of Spieden Island. We cut through the beautiful Cactus Islands before making our way back towards Friday Harbor. After cutting through the Wasp Islands we had a nice sail back to the harbor.
Harbor seals near Yellow Island
Harbor seals near Yellow Island
Bald eagle on San Juan Island by Limestone Point
Black oystercatcher on Barren Rock
Pair of bald eagles on Battleship Island
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” traveling up Haro Strait
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr”
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr”
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” arched back before deep dive
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr”
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr”
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” dorsal fin
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes
Turn Point Lighthouse and Lovers Leap, Stuart Island
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes
Cormorants on Stuart Island
Amazing geology on Stuart Island
Harbor seal mom and pup on Stuart Island
Bald eagle nest on Little Cactus Island
Harbor seals in the bull kelp forest by the Cactus Islands
Harbor seal by the Cactus Islands
Harbor seals by the Cactus Islands in New Channel
Harbor seals by the Cactus Islands in New Channel
Route map 7/28/23