July 28, 2024 – Earlier in the day we saw so much amazing wildlife on our southerly trip so we decided to head south again on our evening trip. Harbor seals were basking in the sunshine with their new pups as we passed the rocks south of Turn Island State Park. Winds were looking good and we had a great sail down the channel. Near Shark Reef and Deadman Island we found more harbor seals, great blue herons and black oystercatchers. The adorable sea otter was still resting in the kelp bed near the Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks. On Salmon Bank we found a minke whale (aka “Dent”). Rays of sunshine were breaking through the clouds creating a magnificent sky. A beautiful end to a wonderful sail.
Route map 7/28/24 pm
Totem Pole on Brown Island
Harbor seals hauled out, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out, San Juan Islands
Close-hauled sailing down the channel
Harbor seals hauled out, Shark Reef, San Juan Islands
Bald eagle, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out, Deadman Island
Great blue heron foraging on a kelp bed
Harbor seals hauled out, Deadman Island with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Sea otter at Whale Rocks in the bull kelp bed, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lion shenanigans at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Rays of light shining through the clouds, San Juan Islands
Rays of light shining through the clouds, San Juan Islands
Minke whale (aka “Dent”) on Salmon Bank
Cormorants on Goose Island
Goose Island