June 1, 2024 – As we returned from our previous sail the rain started. We had a safety briefing indoors while waiting for the rain clouds to pass. Alas we got the boat dried off and ready to go. However after casting off we encountered more temporary drizzle. Welcome to Juneuary! We pushed south on the ebb tide in search of wildlife. We spotted bald eagles, harbor seals, Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks included to branded sea lions (619R & 347Y), and the highlight was a minke whale foraging on Salmon Bank. It was a fantastic minke encounter. As we were drifting scanning the bank the whale surfaced right behind us finding us before we found her. A Steller sea lion was resting on the Salmon Bank channel marker. Our wildlife guide, Carly, spotted the Southern Resident orcas barely visible through binoculars near Hein Bank approximately 3 miles away. A pair of bald eagles were sitting atop of Cattle Point Lighthouse. Another was on Goose Island beside the double-crested cormorant nests which were abandoned by the cormorants upon the eagle landing there. The sunset was dramatic and gorgeous as it often is after a rainy day.
Rainy drizzle near Friday Harbor
Adult bald eagle
Juvenile bald eagle
Harbor seals by Deadman Island
Cattle Pt Lighthouse, San Juan Island
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, south of San Juan Island
Branded Steller sea lion “619R” at Whale Rocks, south of San Juan Island
Branded Steller sea lion “347Y” at Whale Rocks, south of San Juan Island
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, south of San Juan Island
Distant rain showers
Scenery around the south end of San Juan Island
Steller sea lion on Salmon Bank channel marker
Minke whale on Salmon Bank
Minke whale on Salmon Bank
Minke whale on Salmon Bank
Minke whale on Salmon Bank
Sunset sail around the San Juan Islands
Sunset sail around the San Juan Islands
Pair of bald eagles on top of Cattle Point Lighthouse, San Juan Island
Sunset sail around the San Juan Islands
Bald eagle next to cormorant nests on Goose Island
Sunset sail around the San Juan Islands
Harbor seals by Turn Island
Harbor seals by Turn Island
Harbor seals by Turn Island
Sunset sail around the San Juan Islands
Sunset sail around the San Juan Islands
Sunset sail around the San Juan Islands
Sunset sail around the San Juan Islands
Sunset sail around the San Juan Islands
Route map 6/1/24 pm