October 1, 2023 – With an ebbing tide and a Northerly wind we chose South. Delightful sail through Turn Island Pass and passed the haul out rocks of the resting harbor seals. Riding the current with a little help under sail through Deadman Island and close hauled sail passed Whale Rocks. Such fun to watch the Steelers Sea lion’s boisterous play. We noticed a branded sea lion with the number 315Y and also another that we’ve seen for years with a prior entanglement injury around his neck. Setting course for McArthur Bank passing gulls surrounding a sea lion thrashing prey (an octopus) in the air. Clear skies to Mount Rainier and with Mount Baker clear as crystal made for excellent scanning conditions. McArthur to Salmon Bank scanning, but no whales today. Large groups of white winged scoters and loons, but no eagles today. The current had turned to flood and made for a fast run back to Friday Harbor between whirlpools and upwelling’s as we passed Goose Island cormorant rookery.
Mt Baker
Sailing wing on wing
Mt Baker
Sailing around Turn Island
Sailing around Turn Island and Mt Baker around the corner
Harbor seals hauled out San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out San Juan Islands
Cattle Pt Lighthouse, San Juan Island
Great blue heron
Harbor seal spy hop
Harbor seals hauled out Deadman Island
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands with Mt Baker
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands with Mt Baker
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lion with prior entanglement injury at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lion swimming over to check us out
Steller sea lion with branding 315Y at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Brandts Cormorants on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lion eating an octopus
Steller sea lion eating an octopus
Mt Baker
Mt Rainier
Sailing wildlife tours from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
Gorgeous first day of October
Cormorants nesting on Goose Island
Common Murres
Route map 10/1/23