September 24, 2023 – North, South, East or West is always what we ask ourselves when we leave Friday Harbor. Today we had multiple orca reports when we left the dock. We decided to go inter-island towards Rosario Strait to see the orcas who were northbound from Reef Pt, Cypress Island. However, as we reached Turn Island, another report came in of orcas north of Long Island. With the strong 4+ knot flood current against us we weren’t sure if we should head that way. But, to our good fortune, the orcas came zooming in through Cattle Pass on that fast current and headed our direction. We sailed across the channel towards Big Rock where we met Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s (minus T60D and T60E). The orcas gave us some beautiful views as they moved up the channel with the stunning backdrop of Shaw Island. As they reached Yellow Island they stopped to hunt harbor seals in the water during the high tide. When they continued on their way they traveled along the coast of Little McConnell and over to Reef Island before heading up Spring Pass. On our return we spotted a Steller sea lion flinging around a skate which he found for lunch. With rain clouds building we made tracks back to the harbor just as the sprinkles began.
Harbor seals hauled out by Reef Pt, San Juan Islands
Bald eagle, San Juan Island
Harbor seals hauled out by Reef Pt, San Juan Islands
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed up San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed up San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed up San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed up San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed up San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed up San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed up San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed up San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s with Friday Harbor in the distance
Biggs/Transient orca T60C
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s with Friday Harbor in the distance
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s with Friday Harbor in the distance
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s with Friday Harbor in the distance
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s traveling along Shaw Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s traveling along Shaw Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s traveling along Shaw Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s traveling along Shaw Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s traveling along Shaw Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s traveling along Shaw Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s traveling along Shaw Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s traveling along Shaw Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s traveling near westside of Shaw Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s traveling near westside of Shaw Island
Bald eagle on Low Island
Harbor seals looking pretty relaxed as they orcas sneak by Low Island
Harbor seals looking unaware as they orcas sneak by Low Island
Biggs/Transient orca T60G
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed for Yellow Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed for Yellow Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s hunting near Yellow Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s hunting near Yellow Island
Biggs/Transient orca spy hop
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s hunting near Yellow Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s hunting near Yellow Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s hunting near Yellow Island
Orca spy hop with stunning forest back drop
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s close to shore at McConnell Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s close to shore at Little McConnell Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s close to shore at Little McConnell Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s close to shore at Little McConnell Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed for Spring Pass along Orcas Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed for Spring Pass along Orcas Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T60’s headed for Spring Pass along Orcas Island
Sailing towards Nob Island
Passenger taking the helm to sail “Peniel”
Passenger doing a great job sailing in good winds
Steller sea lion eating a skate
Steller sea lion eating a skate
Route map 9/24/23