May 29, 2024 – After casting off we had a nice sail across the channel as we headed North. At Flattop Island we had a good look at a bald eagles nest, harbor seals, black oystercatchers and pigeon guillemots. At White Rock a pair of bald eagles stood atop the rock above a bunch of harbor seals resting on the island. A report of orcas near East Point came in so we headed that direction. These orca were soon identified as Southern Resident orcas. Another report came in of orcas eastbound from Battleship Island which were Biggs Orcas T124A’s and another report possibly of the T123’s by Mail Bay, Waldron Island. The orcas by Waldron crossed President Channel and turned Northeast away from us. We changed course and headed to Green Pt, Spieden Island, and got there in time to see the T124A’s. They passed very close to shore passing some Steller sea lions in the water before continuing north. We had some nice views before changing course back to Friday Harbor for our next sail.
Sea plane landing in Friday Harbor
Close-hauled sailing
Layers of islands looking west through Spieden Channel
Little McConnell Island
Distant rain showers
Head of Turtleback Mountain, Orcas Island
Bald eagle nest on Flattop Island
Pigeon guillemots near Flattop Island
Black oystercatcher on Flattop Island
Harbor seals on Flattop Island
Pair of bald eagles on White Rock with harbor seals hauled out
Bald eagle on White Rock with harbor seals hauled out
Bald eagle on White Rock with harbor seals hauled out
Juvenile bald eagle on Gull Rock
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s in Spieden Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s in Spieden Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s in Spieden Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s in Spieden Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s in Spieden Channel
New orca calf in the T124A’s orca family born this year
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s
Distant rain showers beyond Sentinel Island
Cloudy skyscapes over Spieden Island
Rain showers over Turtleback Mountain, Orcas Island
View of the Wasp Islands
View of the Wasp Islands
Route map 5/29/24