Humpback Whale BCY0409 "Yogi" near Clements Reef

August 6, 2023 – After leaving Friday Harbor we pointed south and had a good scan down the channel, but decided to change course on account of the weather conditions which looked nicer to the north. We coasted by the Shaw Island admiring the coastline while spotting harbor seals, bald eagles and their nests. We had a nice sail through the Wasp Islands where we found several black oystercatchers and harbor seals on Low Island, a bald eagle on Yellow Island, and a pair of bald eagles on the shoreline of McConnell Island.

With news of a pair of humpback whales milling near Patos and Sucia Island we made plans to head that direction. Hugging the gorgeous steep forested coastline of Orcas Island we spotted more bald eagles and enjoyed the view. When we reached Sucia Island we cut through the narrow pass by Little Sucia Island and came over the top of Sucia Island. We found many pigeon guillemots, harbor seals, and dozens of ochre sea stars along the tideline and gorgeous honey-combed sandstone geology. North of Clements Reef we met humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” who was milling along the bank. He gave us some awesome views lifting its beautiful tail flukes high above the water on each deep dive sequence. North of us near Patos Island humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” was hanging out, but she was traveling Northwest away from us.

Upon our return we came around the south side of Patos Island and hugged the southern coast of Waldorn Island until we reached the dramatic cliff of Pt Disney. We changed course for home and had some pretty colors in sky as evening approached.