August 2, 2023 – With news that the Biggs/Transient orcas T46’s were still in Cattle Pass after some hours of holding position against the current we caught the back eddies inside Turn Island and Pear Point and Griffin Bay to make our way quickly down the channel. Coming through Cattle Pass close to Goose Island we saw many harbor seals on the beach and nesting cormorants and gulls. As we cut close to Cattle Point Lighthouse the orcas were at the bottom of Salmon Bank and we pushed on as far as Hein Bank hoping to catch them, but were unsuccessful. We came back to Salmon Bank and found a minke whale foraging. Coming over to Whale Rocks there were about 10 brown pelicans resting there and Steller sea lions rough housing. At Deadman Island we spotted a pair of bald eagles, harbor seals and a great blue heron. We returned to Friday Harbor as the sun set.
Mt Baker viewed from Friday Harbor south entrance
Mt Baker with WA State Ferry
Sailing around Turn Island during high tide
Sailing around Turn Island
We believe these are marbled murrelets
Harbor seals swimming together
Harbor seals on Goose Island
Harbor seals on Goose Island
Cormorants and gulls on Goose Island
Cormorants and gulls on Goose Island
Double-Crested Cormorants on Goose Island
Cormorants and gulls on Goose Island
Cattle Pt Lighthouse, San Juan Island
Crew members Barbara and Skye with Erin watching us sail by
Minke whale on Salmon Bank
Minke whale on Salmon Bank
Rhinoceros auklet with fish
Steller sea lions and cormorants on Salmon Bank Channel Marker
Minke whale on Salmon Bank
Mt Baker in evening light
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Brown pelicans at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Brown pelicans at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lions acting tough on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions acting tough on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions acting tough on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lion swimming near Whale Rocks
Steller sea lion climbing on the rocks
Steller sea lions swimming together near Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks with pelicans in the distance
Bald eagles at Deadman Island
Bald eagle at Deadman Island
Harbor seals on Deadman Island in sunset light
Great blue heron fly by
Bald eagle on Lopez Island
Sailing along Lopez Island in sunset light
Bald eagle on Lopez Island
Big Rock, Lopez Island
Sunset sail from Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands
Sunset sail from Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands
Sunset sail from Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands
Sunset sail from Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands
Route map 8/2/23 pm