September 11, 2024 – Headed out of Friday Harbor into thick sea mist with magical views of the coastline draped in fog. Cut through the Wasp Islands into Spring Pass and hugged the coastline of Orcas Island. We left the old growth forest of President Channel after hearing news of Biggs/Transient orcas T35A’s heading south in Swanson Channel. Rounding Pt Disney the sun came out and we had better weather as we sailed to Stuart Island. An osprey flew by near Turn Pt Lighthouse and we shot north to meet the orcas off Morseby Island. As we were about to meet them we had another report of orcas (T49A’s minus T49A1 and T49A2) rounding Turn Point heading east. After sailing alongside the T35A’s we plotted a course to meet the T49A’s. After cutting through Ripple and the Cactus Islands and New Channel we met the T49A’s just passed Green Pt where they had stopped to hunt. Stunning views of backlit blows took our breath away as they headed south down San Juan Channel. They stopped to hunt near Mineral Pt and they crossed to Yellow Island to briefly hunt again. We turned south to head for home and they turned north.
Route map 9/11/24
San Juan Island coastline
San Juan Island coastline, San Juan Island
Various points of interest
Old man’s beard
Forested coastine near Pt Caution, San Juan Island
Nob Island
Haebor seals on the rocks
Haida cabin on Reef Island
Fog up President Channel near Orcas Island
Orcas Island north coast
Pt Disney, Waldron Island
Osprey near Stuart Island
Bald eagle nest, Stuart Island
Totem pole on Stuart Island
Turn Pt, Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orca T35A
Biggs/Transient orca T35A4
Biggs/Transient orca T35A
Biggs/Transient orca T35A4
Biggs/Transient orca T35A2
Biggs/Transient orca T35A2
Biggs/Transient orcas T35A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T35A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T35A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T35A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T35A’s
Turn Pt, Stuart Island
Pt Disney lit up by the sun
Glacial erratic and harbor seals on the rocks
Clouds and Tip Top Hill
Exhales of Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s
Exhales of Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s
Exhales of Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s
Exhales of Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s
Exhales of Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s heading down San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s heading down San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s heading down San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orca T49A3
Biggs/Transient orca T49A
Biggs/Transient orca T49A with T49A6
Bird on a rock
Harbor seals on the rocks by O’Neal Island
O’Neal Island
Totem pole on O’Neal Island
Biggs/Transient orca T49A3 swimming backwards after predation
Orca tail in the air
Biggs/Transient orca
Totem pole on San Juan Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s with San Juan Island backdrop
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s with San Juan Island backdrop
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s with San Juan Island backdrop
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s
Orca hunting near seal on a rock
Biggs/Transient orca T49A3 hunting near Yellow Island
Sailing whale watching during sunset
Biggs/Transient orca T49A3 near Yellow Island
Half moon
Sunset sail from Friday Harbor