April 1, 2024 – We called our passengers to scoot our sail earlier after hearing about a report of orca coming down Upright Channel. Shortly after casting off with sails raised we spotted the blows near Turn Island. We doubled back under sail as they approached Friday Harbor. At first there were two orca, siblings T137A and T137D, who stalled out to stalk sea lions just outside of the harbor. Suddenly there were four orca – the rest of the T137’s appeared out of nowhere. There were five sea lions hugging the shoreline keeping a close watch on the orcas while a bunch of people watched from the University of Washington Marine Labs. The orcas were taking long 9 minute dives as they were presumably planning an attack. After close to 45 minutes the orcas decided to move on returning to Upright Channel. We sailed alongside as the orcas rested traveling very slowly. It was tough to leave them as it was so peaceful and beautiful being the only vessel there sailing with the orcas. Upon our return we ducked behind Canoe Island and gave the helm to our passenger to sail us back to Friday Harbor.
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s approaching Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s approaching Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T137A at entrance to Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T137A and T137D passing UW Marine Labs
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s in Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s in Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s in Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orca spy peep
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s stalking sea lions just north of Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s stalking sea lions just north of Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s stalking sea lions just north of Friday Harbor
Students from UW Labs watching the T137’s near Friday Harbor
Students from UW Labs watching the T137’s near Friday Harbor
People watching the T137’s hunting near Friday Harbor from shore
People watching the T137’s hunting near Friday Harbor from shore
People watching the T137’s hunting near Friday Harbor from shore
Five Steller sea lions being staying clear of the Biggs orcas on the hunt
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s moving on after unsuccessful hunt
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s moving on after unsuccessful hunt
Biggs/Transient orcas T137’s moving on after unsuccessful hunt
Bald eagle, San Juan Islands
Olympic Mountains
Biggs/transient orca T137A surfacing in unison with mom, T137
Biggs/transient orca T137
Biggs/transient orca T137B
Biggs/transient orca T137A
Biggs/transient orca T137D
Biggs/transient orcas T137’s resting in Upright Channel
Cormorants on Flat Point Channel Marker
Biggs/transient orcas T137A and T137B in Upright Channel
Biggs/transient orcas T137 with T137D in Upright Channel
Passenger sailing us back to Friday Harbor
Route map 4/1/24