May 1, 2024 – As we set sail we were on the look out for a pair of humpbacks that were reportedly southbound less than an ago at the top of San Juan Channel. With no blows visible or humpbacks in sight we eventually called off the search to head towards a group of Biggs/Transient orcas that were inter-island in Cayou Channel. The orcas turned out to be the T124A’s including T124A1 plus the T146A’s. We heard from another research group that the T146A’s haven’t been documented in the Salish Sea ever as far as they are aware of. It was quite special for us to see them. T146A was traveling with her two offspring, T146A1 and T146A2. Also in the group was the very new calf first seen in March 2024 with the T124A’s. Once again the calf was mostly surfacing beside T124A4. As the orcas passed Yellow Island they turned North and we turned South for a fun sail back to Friday Harbor.
Biggs Orcas T124A’s, T124A1 and T146A’s westbound Wasp Passage
We believe this orca is young calf T146A2
Biggs Orcas T124A1 with mom T124A surfacing
Biggs Orcas T124A1 with mom T124A
Newest calf on right in the T124A’s first seen March 2024
Biggs Orcas T146A’s
Biggs Orcas T124A4 with who we believe are her offspring
Fur friends Duchess and Penny sailing with orcas
Biggs Orcas T124A’s, T124A1 and T146A’s
Orca spy hop
Orca swimming backwards after predation
Orca tail slap
Orca swimming backwards after predation
Biggs Orcas T146A’s
Biggs Orca T146A
Biggs Orcas T124A’s
Biggs Orcas T124A’s
Biggs Orcas T124A’s
Sailing vessel Orion in the Salish Sea
Biggs Orcas exiting Wasp Passage towards San Juan Channel
WA State Ferry and passengers watching the orcas
Sailing vessel Orion with Deer Harbor
Canada Geese and Black Oystercatcher
Biggs Orcas T124A’s, T124A1 and T146A’s passing Yellow Island
Harbor seals nervously watching the orcas in the distance
Biggs Orcas T124A’s, T124A1 and T146A’s passing Yellow Island
Biggs/Transient orca T146A
Biggs Orcas T124A’s, T124A1 and T146A’s passing Yellow Island
Biggs Orcas T124A’s, T124A1 and T146A’s passing Yellow Island
Biggs Orcas T146A’s passing Yellow Island
Biggs Orcas T124A’s, T124A1 and T146A’s passing Yellow Island
Biggs Orcas T124A’s, T124A1 and T146A’s passing Yellow Island
Bald eagle on Shirt Tail Reef channel marker
Pelagic and Double-crested cormorants on Low Island
Galiano, Stuart and Spieden Islands
Route map 5/1/24