July 2, 2024 – A northerly sail through the Wasp Islands and into New Channel north of Spieden Island. Cut through the Cactus Islands and the narrow gap by Ripple Island. Scooted across to Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge. We spotted many harbor seals today with newborn pups. One of the pups still had the umbilical cord attached. A bald eagle was hanging out in its nest on Flattop Island while many others were scattered throughout the area in the tree tops. Had a fun close-hauled sail back down the channel to Friday Harbor.
Harbor seals, San Juan Islands
Looking west down Spieden Channel
Bald eagle, San Juan Islands
Cactus Island
Ripple Island
Harbor seal with newborn pup (umbilical cord visible)
Harbor seal with newborn pup
Flattop Island
Bald eagle, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals on Flattop Island
Harbor seals on Flattop Island
Bald eagle in nest on Flattop Island
Harbor seals with pups on Flattop Island
Harbor seals on Flattop Island – honeycombed sandstone backdrop
Close-hauled sail
Bald eagle, San Juan Island
San Juan Island near Pt Caution
Route map 7/2/24