May 13, 2024 – We headed north from Pt Caution to the Wasp Islands, Spring Pass, Jones Island, up to Flattop National Wildlife Refuge. Lots of harbor seals today, and a bald eagle on their nest on Flattop Island. Fast sail on the current to Ripple Island while orcas were near Blunden Island north westbound and sadly out of our range. Black oystercatchers amongst the blue camas on Ripple Island and a healthy number of harbor seals in New Channel. We drifted the shoreline of Spieden Island in the current out to Haro Strait. Winds increased so we took the shelter to the north side of Spieden Island again. Fast current at Green Pt, and there were just a couple Steller sea lions hauled out with a half a dozen in the water. We sailed around O’Neal Island and then tacked our way down San Juan Channel with some fast close-hauled sailing.
Harbor seals hauled out by Jones Island in Spring Passage
Harbor seals hauled out by Jones Island in Spring Passage
Harbor seal hauled out by Jones Island in Spring Passage
Harbor seals hauled out by Jones Island in Spring Passage
Bald eagle in nest on Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge
Bald eagle in nest on Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge
Harbor seals hauled out on Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge
Harbor seals hauled out on Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge
Harbor seals hauled out on Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge
Juvenile bald eagle flying overhead by Flattop Island
Black oystercatchers on Gull Rock National Wildlife Refuge
Black oystercatchers on Ripple Island National Wildlife Refuge
Harbor seals by Ripple Island with strong currents
Harbor seals on the reef by the Cactus Islands
Spieden Island Bluff, Spieden Island
Spieden Island north coast
Spieden Island north coast
Cool rock formation on Spieden Island north coast
Canada geese with goslings on Spieden Island
Steller sea lion near Green Pt, Spieden Island
Only two Steller sea lion hauled out at Green Pt, Spieden Island
Sentinel Island – owned by the Nature Conservancy
Salt Spring Island in the distance
Harbor seals by O’Neal Island
Passenger enjoying the sail
Looking west down Spieden Channel from Jones Island
Fast close-hauled sail down San Juan Channel
Barbara and Skye
Fast close-hauled sail down San Juan Channel
Route map 5/13/24