August 9, 2023 – Today we picked up our passengers from the Orcas Island Ferry Landing. They chose us for a very special memorial sail. The family was honouring the lives of two parents who loved to sail in the Pacific Northwest, and it was our honour to be present for this occasion. We made our way down the Shaw coastline and happened to encounter a family of Biggs/Transient orcas known as the T37B’s who were headed west in Upright Channel from the Lopez Ferry Landing. The orcas changed course crossing the channel and headed westbound in Cayou Channel, and we sailed peacefully nearby all the way up to Broken Point. The orcas continued on their way taking the narrow Pole Pass and headed for Deer Harbor while we took Wasp Passage and sailed toward the Wasp Islands. Winds increased in San Juan Channel so we reefed the main sail after rounding Jones Island. With a fast close-hauled sail we tacked down the channel and sailed all the way to Pole Pass. We made our way through the maze of islands and rocks and dropped off our passengers back to Orcas Island.
Pacific Madrone trees on Shaw Island
Bald eagle in the San Juan Islands
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B’s cruising along Shaw Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B’s cruising along Shaw Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B’s cruising along Shaw Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B’s cruising along Shaw Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B’s cruising along Orcas Island
Biggs/Transient orca T37B cruising along Orcas Island
Biggs/Transient orca T37B with exhale
Biggs/Transient orca T37B1 passing cool Madrone trees
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B cruising along Orcas Island
Youngest family member T37B3 first seen approx last Oct/Nov
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B with calf T37B3
Biggs/Transient orca T37B1
Biggs/Transient orca calf T37B3
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B with calf T37B3
Biggs/Transient orca T37B1
Biggs/Transient Orcas T37B’s passing Orcas Island Ferry Landing
Biggs/Transient Orcas T37B’s passing Orcas Island Ferry Landing
Orcas Island Ferry Landing
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B with calf T37B3
Biggs/Transient orca T37B1
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B with calf T37B3
Sailing towards Pole Pass
Garry Oak tree
Harbor seal mom and pup
Pacific Madrone trees
Pacific Madrone trees
Pacific Madrone trees
Bald eagle on Shaw Island
Bald eagle on Shaw Island
Sailing back to Friday Harbor cutting through the Wasp Islands
Looking northwest from Nob Island towards Spieden Channel
Route map 8/9/23