Distant view of Southern Resident J Pod Orcas and a visit to Posey Island State Park

June 30, 2024 – As we sailed north in San Juan Channel we heard a report of Southern Resident orcas from J Pod at Point Disney headed for Flattop Island. We expected to see them heading for Spieden Channel, but they were nowhere in sight. The next report was the north side of Johns Island heading Northwest. We took New Channel thinking we may see them rounding Turn Point on Stuart Island, however they took Johns Pass which is the first time we’ve heard of them doing this. In the distance we spotted them crossing to the west side of Spieden Island. On the bluff of Spieden we spotted a Peregrine falcon on the cliff top and didn’t notice until looking through photos that there were two falcons there. Perhaps one of the two fledgelings with a parent whom we recently saw. After we rounded Spieden Island we could see the orcas porpoising towards Battleship Island. They continued south at speed. As we came back into Spieden Channel we decided to drop anchor and visit Posey Island State Park. We found an eagle’s nest with a chick in it and lots of rock crabs. Our sail back to Friday Harbor was with some strong winds at second reef close-hauled sailing. Birthday cake under sail as we tacked through the Wasp Islands.