All Aboard Sailing

Humpback whale BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound along San Juan Island toward Friday Harbor

By allaboardsailing@yahoo.com October 8, 2023 Half Day Sail, Sailing with Humpback Whales, Sailing with whales
October 8, 2023 – Northbound on the flood sailing into blue skies. Through the Wasp Islands and Spring Pass up to Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge. Seas became glassy and quite a few harbor porpoise teased as with glimpses along the way. Sailed a light breeze down through the Cactus Islands and drifted the current along the forested shoreline of Spieden Island. A number of Steller sea lions drifted the dark glassy waters alongside us. Bald eagles came in for a closer look where the sea lions appeared to be chasing fish under overhanging trees close to shore. Back along the South side of Spieden seeing Mouflon sheep and fallow deer and a fun group of Steller sea lions at Green Point. Nearing Jones Island we found a humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr”, and sailed alongside as she travelled the San Juan shoreline to Friday Harbor.
“Zephyr” is the daughter of BCX1057 “Divot” and granddaughter of humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”. “Big Mama” was the very first humpback whale to return to the Salish Sea in 1997 after 100 years of absence. This pioneer brought humpbacks back to the area where they once foraged and slowly but surely our waters are home to hundreds of humpback whales each summer. “Zephyr” was born in 2011 and has two calves born 2019 and 2021 (with her first born while she was 8 years old). Lovely to drift while she surfaced listing to the blows and seeing her form emerge in the mirror calm waters so close to the forest.

Bald eagle, San Juan Islands

Great blue heron flying by

Double-crested cormorant on Danger sign near Jones Island

Harbor seals hauled out on Flattop Island with honeycomb sandstone geology

Harbor seal hauled out on Flattop Island with honeycomb sandstone geology

Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge

Harbor seals hauled out, San Juan Islands

Garry Oak tree on Cactus Island

Our fun group today on our sail

Pacific Madrone tree on Spieden Island

Harbor seal

Steller sea lion in New Channel near Spieden Island

Harbor porpoise

Steller sea lion in New Channel near Spieden Island

Bald eagle, Spieden Island

Sailing close to shore at Spieden Island

Bald eagle, Spieden Island

Pair of bald eagles take off from Spieden Island

Fallow deer, Spieden Island

Fall foliage on Garry Oak trees on Spieden Island

Fall foliage on Garry Oak trees on Spieden Island

Harlequin ducks near Spieden Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Channel

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” dorsal fin right side

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Mt Baker

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” travelling along forested coastline

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” travelling along forested coastline

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” travelling along forested San Juan coastline

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” with beautiful exhale

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound along San Juan Island coastline

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound along San Juan Island coastline

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” with beautiful exhale

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound along San Juan Island coastline

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

National Geographic Cruise Ship leaving Friday Harbor

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” southbound San Juan Island

Setting sun over San Juan Island

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” surfacing in the sunset light

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” surfacing in the sunset light

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” raising tail flukes before deep dive

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes in sunset light

Humpback whale, BCZ0414 “Zephyr” tail flukes in sunset light

Gorgeous October day in the San Juan Islands

Route map 10/8/23

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