August 20, 2023 – Today we got lucky with a pod of orcas, the T75B’s plus T77D, coming north through Cattle Pass as we were headed south in that direction. We met the orcas near Harbor Rock as they quickly grabbed a bite to eat. There were tails in the air and gulls swooping down for scraps. After a nice pass the orcas turned north and traveled quickly porpoising at times towards the top of the bay. We couldn’t keep up with their speed, but kept an eye on them with the binoculars. As we approached Pear Point we noticed the orcas had made a sharp left and were headed towards Dinner Island. Here they circled the rocks a few times at speed making lots of waves as they hunted harbor seals. After a successful predation(s) they traveled eastbound and gave another close pass by Danger Rock with more circling and waves. As they orcas approached Turn Island they chose to take the narrow pass around it which is something we’ve never seen an orca do. We fell behind to enjoy a nice sail through the pass. A short while later we heard that the orcas went into the south entrance of Friday Harbor behind Brown Island and were seen deep in Friday Harbor near the breakwater/Customs dock. Continuing our sail we had another quick view as we watched them crossing the channel towards Shaw Island and continuing north. We came about and had a nice sail back to the harbor.
Sailing with reefed main sail passed Turn Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D bottom of Griffin Bay
Orca tail in the air while hunting/eating
Double-crested cormorant fly over
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D after predation
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D after predation
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D after predation
Orca tail in the air
Biggs/Transient orca T75B2
Biggs/Transient orca T75B2 with less than 2 week old calf beside her
Biggs/Transient orca T75B2 with less than 2 week old calf beside her
Biggs/Transient orca calf less than 2 week old!
Biggs/Transient orca T75B
Biggs/Transient orca T75B
Biggs/Transient orca T77D
Sailing wing on wing
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D hunting by Dinner Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D hunting by Dinner Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D hunting by Dinner Island
Blood in the water after successful seal predation
Kayaking with orcas passing by
Orca swimming backwards (moonwalk) after predation of seal
Orcas playful after harbor seal predation
Kayaking with orcas passing by
Harbor seals watching orcas circling their rock
Orcas creating waves as they circle harbor seals on the rocks
Orcas creating waves as they circle harbor seals on the rocks
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D travel in a tight group
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D travel in a tight group
Orca chin lift
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D at top of Griffin Bay
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D at top of Griffin Bay
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D at top of Griffin Bay
Biggs/Transient orca T75B2 with less than 2 week old calf beside her
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D
Whale watching while sailing
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D travel close to shore along San Juan Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D travel close to shore along San Juan Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D travel close to shore along San Juan Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D travel close to shore along San Juan Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D hunting in the rocks by Pear Point
Orca calf tail in the air during hunting/predation event
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D hunting near Pear Pt
Orca spy hop
Biggs/Transient orcas headed for Turn Island Pass
Biggs/Transient orcas taking the narrow pass by Turn Island!
Bald eagle
Sailing around Turn Island
Bald eagle chick on Brown Island
Bald eagle adult on Brown Island near chick
Bald eagle nest on Shaw Island
Route map 8/20/23