June 18, 2024 – With a report of Biggs/Transient orcas at Blakely Shoal we plotted a course to meet them. The orcas were the T65B’s (mother of three boys) and they had been hunting there for about an hour. They chose a course to Obstruction Pass with lots of breaches, tail slaps and inverted tail lobs. Clearing the pass we watched them with stunning views of Mt Baker in the background. A bald eagle circled above and swooped down to the water in front of us. We came back through Peavine Pass, towards Upright Head, and behind Canoe Island before sailing across San Juan Channel enjoying the sunset.
Sailing towards Upright Head, Lopez Island
Bald eagle
Upright Head, Lopez Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / tail slapping
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / breaching
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / pec fin slapping
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / breaching, tail slapping
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / breaching
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / breaching
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / breaching
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / breaching
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / breaching
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / inverted tail lobs
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / inverted tail lobs
Biggs/Transient orca T65B1
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / inverted tail lobsBiggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / inverted tail lobs
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / tail slapping
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / tail in the air
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / tail in the air
Biggs/Transient orca T65B1 doing a cartwheel
Biggs/Transient orca T65B1 inverted tail lob (while defacating?), also notice the rake marks
Biggs/Transient orca T65B with calf T65B3 – notice his eye is open
Biggs/Transient orca T65B2
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / tail slapping
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s socializing / inverted tail lob
Biggs/Transient orca T65B1
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s taking Obstruction Pass
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s exiting Obstruction Pass
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s with Mt Baker
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s with Mt Baker
Rhinoceros auklet with fish for dinner
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s with Mt Baker
Bald eagle circling over the water
Bald eagle circling over the water with talons ready
Bald eagle flying down to the water with talons ready
Bald eagle flying down to the water with talons ready
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s with Mt Baker
Mt Baker
Moon
Sunset sail back to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
Our awesome family on board
Route map 6/18/24 pm