All Aboard Sailing

Low profile Minke whale at Minke Lake

By allaboardsailing@yahoo.com September 18, 2023 Full Day Sail, Sailing with Minke Whales, Sailing with whales
September 18, 2023 – Sea state to the South was reported as being pretty lumpy today so we headed North. Up through the Wasp Islands we noticed harbor seals still using the west spit of Yellow Island. Quite a few pairs of marbled murrelets called to each other as we passed. We wrapped around Flattop and White Rock seeing white-winged scoters, surf scoters, and common murres. We spotted a minke whale near Cowlitz Bay, Waldron Island. We know this whale as ‘the low profile minke’ and have been following his/her progress through the summer season. Nice views as it travelled though the area with some foraging. The spinal ride is still pretty noticeable as are the scapulas. There looks like there could be a potential dip/dent in the middle of the back as well.
Leaving the minke we set course for Ripple Island, The Cactus Islands and New Channel. Quite a few bald eagles on the North side of Spieden Island. We picked up a report of the T60s Biggs orcas coming in through Cattle Pass so we picked up speed to head South. We passed a group of Steller Sea Lions playing around near Green Point – the first of the sea lions we’ve seen returning here from their trip North to the Queen Charlottes since end of May. Unfortunately, the T60s turned and went back out Cattle Pass so we explored the passes of McConnell and Nob Island before heading back to Friday Harbor.

Tip of Yellow Island and Canada in the distance

Harbor seals hauled out on Low Island

Harbor seals hauled out on Yellow Island

Pair of marbled murrelets

Head of Turtleback Mountain

Bald eagle nest on Flattop Island

Harbor seals on Flattop Island

Harbor seals on White Rock

Harbor seals on White Rock

Harbor seals on White Rock with Pt Disney in the background

A skinny looking harbor seal on White Rock

Harbor seal snoozing on White Rock

White-winged scoter near Cowlitz Bay, Waldron Island

Surf scoters near Cowlitz Bay, Waldron Island (S/V “M5” in the distance)

Minke Whale hanging out in “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island

Minke Whale with scapula visible

Minke Whale showing possible dip/dent in back

Minke Whale showing possible dip/dent in back

Minke Whale with spinal ridge visible

Common murres

Minke Whale hanging out in “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island

Minke Whale hanging out in “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island

Minke whale surfacing

Minke whale with what looks like vertical groove/line indented on left side

Minke whale foraging at “Minke Lake” west side of Waldron Island

Minke whale foraging at “Minke Lake” west side of Waldron Island

Minke whale with potential dip on top of back visible

Minke whale milling by Pt Disney, Waldron Island

Better view of Minke whale with light shining on her

Minke whale milling by Pt Disney, Waldron Island

Minke whale milling by Pt Disney, Waldron Island

Minke whale surfacing nearby – you can see white patches on flippers

Minke whale with slight line/grove indented running across back

Minke whale with shallow surfacing – not high out of the water

Spinal ridge showing o minke whale forward of dorsal fin

Minke whale – we hope she recovers it something is ailing her

Minke whale in an area once referred to as “Minke Lake”

Bald eagle on Ripple Island

Many harbor seals on the rocks in New Channel

Many harbor seals on the rocks in New Channel

Many harbor seals on the rocks in New Channel

Many harbor seals on the rocks in New Channel

Peaceful conditions in New Channel

Bald eagle on Cactus Island

Bald eagle on Spieden Island

Another bald eagle on Spieden Island

Beautiful sail boat

Steller sea lions north of Green Pt, Spieden Island

Steller sea lions north of Green Pt, Spieden Island

Pair of bald eagles by McConnell Island

Harbor seal swimming by

View looking Northwest from Nob Island

Nob Island

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Route map 9/18/23

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