Sunset sail north to New Channel and Flattop Island

May 29, 2024 – After casting off from Friday Harbor we had a light sprinkle in the harbor with sunshine in the channel so we headed for the sunshine. Biggs Orcas, T124A’s, who we had seen on our earlier sail wrapped around Stuart Island and were headed down the coast of Stuart towards us. We kept our speed up hoping to encounter them. We cut through the Wasp Islands and headed to Green Pt, Speiden Island; however as we got closer to Green Pt they flipped and turned north. As we drifted near the point we saw some Steller sea lions in the water before exploring New Channel. We were excited to find a pair of Peregrine falcons near Spieden Bluff one of which was calling. It was glassy calm and stunningly beautiful in the channel. Bald eagles and belted kingfishers were calling, too. Sailing backwards through the Cactus Islands and over to Flattop Island where we found some harbor porpoise, harbor seals, and pigeon guillemots. Rain showers in the distance and a stellar sunset as we made our way back to the harbor passing a bald eagle on Reid Rock in strong currents.