Biggs/Transient Orcas T60's pass Friday Harbor

September 14, 2023 – After casting off from Friday Harbor we sailed north with good winds and current in our favor. As we reached Pt George a report came in of a family of orcas, T60’s minus T60D and T60E, heading north through Cattle Pass. We came about and headed south along the beautiful Shaw Island coastline and sailed across to take the narrow channel behind Turn Island. Passed by many sleepy harbor seals and a bald eagle on top of Danger Rock. There was a branded harbor seal by Reef Pt with number 610 on its right side. We’ve noticed branded Steller sea lions before, but never saw one on a harbor seal. Just a little south of there we met the orcas and came about one more to travel beside them. The orcas moved quickly and turned to head close by Friday Harbor. They may have stopped for a quick hunt in the harbor. Male orca T60C had been travelling a little ahead and on his own came back towards the harbor to join the others, and we saw some bubbling at the surface a couple times. The orcas continued on the way along the gorgeous San Juan Island coastline with beautiful backlit blows against the dark forest. At Pt Caution we broke away to explore the Wasp Islands and have some more fun sailing.