August 28, 2023 – We sailed north on account of the flood current and had a fast sail to the Wasp Islands. After passing by Shirt Tail Reef and Yellow Island with some good views of harbor seals a report came in of a pod of orcas coming north in through Cattle Pass. We came about and had a close-hauled sail back across the channel and followed the coastline down to Pear Point. The orcas, T75B’s and T77D were hunting near the rocks cutting inside very shallow areas. They moved on quickly so it didn’t appear like they grabbed anything to eat. The less than month old calf was still traveling close to T75B2 and we’re assuming she is the mother. If so, it would make her the youngest wild orca ever documented at just 8 years old. Harbor seals watched nervously as the orcas passed close to the rocks before taking the narrow pass behind Turn Island. This is the same route they took on August 20th. We’ve seen this family cut through this narrow channel twice, and this is the only times we’ve ever seen this happen. They stopped to hunt again near the south entrance to Friday Harbor as lightning and thunder bellowed close by. The orcas popped in briefly to Friday Harbor before hugging the San Juan Island shoreline continuing up the channel. We pulled into Friday Harbor just before the heavy down pours began.
Bald eagle outside Friday Harbor
Harbor seals including small pup by Yellow Island
Harbor seals by Yellow Island
Harlequin ducks by Yellow Island
San Juan Island coastline just north of Friday Harbor
Harbor seals hauled out south of Turn Island
Harbor seals hauled out south of Turn Island
Harbor seals hauled out on the beach
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s and T77D circling the rocks along San Juan Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B2 with new calf in the family
Orcas T75B’s and T77D circling the rocks along San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D circling the rocks along San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D circling the rocks along San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D circling the rocks along San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D circling the rocks along San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D circling the rocks along San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D circling the rocks along San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D circling the rocks along San Juan Island
Black oystercatchers
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B2 with new calf in the family
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B2 with new calf in the family
Orcas T75B’s and T77D headed up San Juan Channel
Orcas T75B’s and T77D headed up San Juan Channel
Orcas T75B’s and T77D headed up San Juan Channel close to the rocks
Orcas T75B’s and T77D headed up San Juan Channel close to the rocks
Orcas T75B’s and T77D headed up San Juan Channel
Harbor seals watching closely as the orcas swim nearby
Harbor seals watching closely as the orcas swim nearby
Orcas T75B’s and T77D in the narrow pass behind Turn Island and San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D in the narrow pass behind Turn Island and San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D in the narrow pass behind Turn Island and San Juan Island
Harbor seals south of Turn Island alert after orcas swam close by
Sailing around Turn Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D hunting near the reef south of Friday Harbor
Orcas T75B’s and T77D hunting near the reef south of Friday Harbor
Orcas T75B’s and T77D hunting near the reef south of Friday Harbor
Orca tail in the air
Orcas T75B’s and T77D passing the south entrance to Friday Harbor
Orcas T75B’s and T77D passing the south entrance to Friday Harbor
Rays of light shining through the clouds as nearby thunderstorms roll in
Rays of light shining through the clouds as nearby thunderstorms roll in
Orcas T75B’s and T77D in the north entrance to Friday Harbor
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Friday Harbor close to shore
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Friday Harbor close to shore
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Friday Harbor close to shore
Lucky folks on shore getting a great view as the orcas pass close by
Lucky folks on shore getting a great view as the orcas pass close by
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Friday Harbor close to shore
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Friday Harbor close to shore
Lucky person on shore getting a great view as the orcas pass close by
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Friday Harbor close to shore
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Friday Harbor close to shore
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Friday Harbor close to shore
A break in the cloud with sun rays shining through
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Pt Caution, San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Pt Caution, San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Pt Caution, San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Pt Caution, San Juan Island
Orcas T75B’s and T77D northbound from Pt Caution, San Juan Island
Bald eagle outside Friday Harbor
Route map 8/28/23