June 8, 2024 – After casting off we went south on the ebb current having a great sail as we tacked our way down the channel. Passed by Whale Rocks to see the Steller sea lions before venturing out into the banks to search for more wildlife. We heard there were four minke whales slamming bait balls on Hein Bank so we decided to head to the “minke fest”. However; upon our arrival approximately 40 minutes later the action had settled down and it took us a little while to get dialled in. We found two minkes and one began lunge feeding giving us some fantastic views.
With news of a humpback whale known as “Stitch” BCX0519 not too far away near Salmon Bank we headed back in that direction. This humpback encounter was spectacular between the long surface time, mountain view backdrop, and showing tail flukes upon sounding. To make it even more fun we watched as he/she played with a large piece of driftwood, sticks and clumps of kelp for 45 minutes. It was quite hilarious at times watching the whale lifting big balls of kelp that were draped over its head, or pulling the kelp underwater. Amazing.
When our passenger for our upcoming evening sail texted to say they just watched some orca moving south towards Friday Harbor from Mineral Point we thought we should make tracks back towards the harbor to see them, too. The orcas, Biggs/Transient orcas T101’s (mother and two large sons), were southbound abeam of Big Rock when we got on scene. One of the males did a few tail lobs before breaching twice! The orcas found a back eddy as they rode the current line during the maximum flood tide which was running about 5 knots against them. We watched until the exited Cattle Pass and came about with news of two humpback whales also southbound down the channel by Friday Harbor.
One of the humpbacks was legendary “Big Mama” BCY0324 and she was reportedly with “Goose” BCX2125 (2020 calf of “Maverick” BCX1600). The current was ripping around Turn Rock and it was a sight to see as the two humpbacks powered their way south through that strong current. This was certainly a day for the record books!
Route map 6/8/24
Mt Baker
Raccoon foraging on Turn Island
Mt Baker and Turn Island
Raccoon foraging on Turn Island
Harbor seals on the rocks with Olympic Mountains
Harbor seals by Turn Island
Passengers taking it all in
Cattle Point Lighthouse, San Juan Island
Cormorant nests on Goose Island
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Cattle Point Lighthouse, San Juan Island
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks with Mt Baker
Steller sea lion on Hein Bank channel marker
Steller sea lion on Hein Bank channel marker with cormorants nesting atop
Minke whale foraging at Hein Bank
Minke whale at Hein Bank
Minke whale foraging at Hein Bank
Minke whale foraging at Hein Bank
Minke whale at Hein Bank
Minke whale at Hein Bank
Minke whale at Hein Bank
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 tail flukes
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 tail flukes
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 left side dorsal fin
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 playing with kelp on the rostrum
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 playing with kelp with mouth open
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 lifting drift wood logs
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 lifting driftwood logs on its back
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 lifting driftwood logs on its back
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 playing with driftwood logs
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 with Mt Baker
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 exhaling
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 pulling kelp in mouth
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 exhaling
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 lifting driftwood logs on its back
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 playing with kelp on the rostrum
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 playing with kelp on the rostrum
Rostrum of humpback whale “Stitch”
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 playing with kelp with flippers
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 playing with kelp on the rostrum
Humpback whale “Stitch” BCX0519 playing with kelp on the rostrum
Biggs/Transient orca T101 with Olympic Mountains
Biggs/Transient orca T101’s with Olympic Mountains
Biggs/Transient orca T101’s with Olympic Mountains
Biggs/Transient orca T101’s with Olympic Mountains
Biggs/Transient orca T101
Biggs/Transient orca T101’s in Griffin Bay
Biggs/Transient orca brothers T101A and T101B in Griffin Bay
Biggs/Transient orca T101’s in Griffin Bay, San Juan Island
Orca tail slap
Biggs/Transient orca brothers T101A and T101B in Griffin Bay
Biggs/Transient orca from the T101’s breaching
Biggs/Transient orca from the T101’s breaching
Biggs/Transient orca from the T101’s breaching
Biggs/Transient orca from the T101’s breaching
Biggs/Transient orca T101’s southbound Cattle Pass
Biggs/Transient orca brothers T101A and T101B goofing around
Biggs/Transient orca male pec fin slapping
Biggs/Transient orca T101’s southbound Cattle Pass
Orca tail slap
Orca T101 tail slap
Biggs/Transient orca T101’s southbound Cattle Pass
Biggs orca with Mt Rainier
Cape San Juan
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX2125 “Goose”
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX2125 “Goose”
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX2125 “Goose”
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX2125 “Goose”
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” by Turn Island
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” by Turn Island
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX2125 “Goose”
Humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and BCX2125 “Goose”
Bull kelp near Turn Rock
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”