October 3, 2023 – Beautiful serene sail out of Friday Harbor. The ebbing current carried us sideways to the South so we cut inside Turn Island and drifted by the resting harbor seals. A bald eagle watched as we sailed the coastline before heading to Lopez Island and Cattle Pass. A few Steller sea lions at Shark Reef and then a wonderful drift by Deadman Island with belted kingfishers and great blue heron. Whale Rocks was hopping with Steller sea lions and the current carried us inside Long Island. Wind increased some allowing a sail toward Iceberg Point before coming out towards groups of birds looking for minke or humpback whales. Sailed under blue skies to Salmon Bank scanning for blows, but none found here today. Stayed close to the San Juan shoreline passed Cattle Point Lighthouse as the ebb was still running. A pair of bald eagles watched from the top of Goose Island quite close to the cormorant nests. Homeward bound with birthday cake for our passenger and the ocean belonged to us today with very few boats in sight.
Little piece of Turn Island State Park
Harbor seals hauled out on the rocks, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out on the rocks, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out on the rocks, San Juan Islands
Bald eagle on a rock beside resting harbor seals, San Juan Islands
Bald eagle flying off with prey in talons
Harbor seals hauled out on the rocks, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out on Shark Reef, San Juan Islands
Pair of Steller sea lions swimming by
Harbor seal hauled out on Shark Reef, San Juan Channel
Fog bank, Olympic Mountains and Cattle Point Lighthouse, San Juan Island
Harbor seals hauled out by Deadman Island
Harbor seals hauled out by Deadman Island
Great blue heron standing on a bed of bull kelp
Common murres
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
Olympic Mountains
Cormorants nesting on Goose Island
Pair of bald eagles on Goose Island
Harbor seals on Goose Island and Cattle Pt Lighthouse, San Juan Island
Mt Baker with Washington State Ferry
Route map 10/3/23