July 16, 2024 – With news of Biggs/Transient orcas, T36A1’s and T46B1’s, coming southwest around Waldron Island we scooted our sail a little earlier with hopes to catch them. The orcas spent quite a bit of time at White Rock National Wildlife Refuge before continuing on to both Flattop Island and Gull Rock National Wildlife Refuges. When we got on scene the orcas were hunting at Flattop Island and circled the island about 8 times. There was a harbor seal predation observed. The orcas also circled Gull Rock a few times. Beautiful evening light showcasing the geology on Flattop Island and the backlit blows of the orcas. After our spectacular encounter it was time to say good bye and make tracks back to the barn. We later heard the orcas followed our course down San Juan Channel and grabbed a porpoise to eat.
Route map 7/16/24
Mt Baker
Female harlequin duck
Harbor seals on Flattop Island
Harbor seals on Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Harbor seals and black oystercatchers on Flattop Island
Orca tail
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s pursuing a harbor seal
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s pursuing a harbor seal
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s pursuing a harbor seal
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Watchful harbor seals
T36A1 with harbor seal meat in mouth
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island – harbor seals watching
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island – harbor seals watching
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s hunting near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s near Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s near Flattop Island with backlit blows
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s near Flattop Island with backlit blows
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s near Flattop Island with backlit blows
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s near Flattop Island with backlit blows
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s near Flattop Island with backlit blows
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s circling Flattop Island
Flattop Island
Orca spy hop
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s circling Flattop Island
Biggs orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s between Flattop Island and Gull Rock
Orca tail flukes
Biggs orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s between Flattop Island and Gull Rock
Biggs orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s between Flattop Island and Gull Rock
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s circling Flattop Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T36A1’s and T46B1’s circling Flattop Island
McConnell Island with forest reflections
Little McConnell
Harbor seals hauled out in the sunset
Nob Island with reflections
Bald eagle near Cliff Island
Bald eagle chick near nest on Cliff Island
Close-hauled sail back to Friday Harbor