August 7, 2023 – Shortly after casting off from Friday Harbor we spotted two bald eagles messing about in the grass, and one had just caught the catch of the day. We sailed across to Pt George and cut through the Wasp Islands before making our way north to President Channel. Hugging the coastline of Orcas Island we spotted many bald eagles and a great blue heron perched in the forest. A humpback whale was spotted in the region of West Bank so we changed course and headed north, but stopped to check out some harbor seals, a bald eagle, and phalaropes by Bare Island.
We met the humpback whale north of West Bank and recognised it as BCY0409 “Yogi” as one we just saw the day before by Sucia Island. The humpback was slowly headed east between Patos and Sucia Islands. After a great time sailing with the humpback whale it was time to start heading back so we made our way to check out Sucia Island before doing so. The geology is gorgeous on these outer islands and full of wildlife. We spotted a bald eagle nest, lots of ochre sea stars, pigeon guillemots and several harbor seals with new pups. Sailed down to Pt Doughty where many more harbor seals rested, and we came down the Orcas coastline once again. Since our passengers were staying we dropped them off at the Orcas Ferry Landing so they didn’t have to catch the ferry back.
Leaving Friday Harbor
Half moon
Bald eagles – one with fresh caught fish
Bald eagles – one with fresh caught fish
Bald eagle flying away with his/her catch
Nob Island and head of Turtleback Mountain
Bald eagle
Bald eagle flying
Bald eagle in Pacific Madrone tree
Great blue heron
Orcas Island north coast
Interesting canoe with outboard motor
Phalaropes by Bare Island
Harbor seals on Bare Island
Harbor seals on Bare Island
Harbor seals on Bare Island
Phalaropes by Bare Island
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi”
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” with Alden Pt Lighthouse
Alden Pt Lighthouse, Patos Island
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi”
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” arching back before deep dive
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” arching back before deep dive
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” exhale
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi”
Smiling while sailing with a humpback whale
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” swimming near Patos Island
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” swimming near Patos Island
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” exhale
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi”
Humpback whale BCY0409 “Yogi” left side dorsal fin
Bald eagle nest on Sucia Island
Harbor seal swimming by
Purple Ochre sea stars on Sucia Island
Ochre sea stars on Sucia Island
Honeycombed sandstone geology on Sucia Island
Sailing around north side of Sucia Island
Camouflaged harbor seal
Pigeon guillemot with a bite to eat
Honeycombed sandstone geology on Sucia Island
Harbor seal mum and new pup
Harbor seal mum and new pup
Harbor seal mum and new pup
Harbor seal mum and new pup
Pigeon guillemot on Sucia Island
Pigeon guillemot coming in for a landing
Pigeon guillemot coming in for a landing
Sailing by Little Sucia Island
Harbor seals resting by Pt Doughty, Orcas Island
Harbor seal with reflections by Pt Doughty
Pt Doughty, Orcas Island
Pt Doughty, Orcas Island
Orcas Island heavily forested north coast
Route map 8/7/23