September 16, 2024 – A fantastic sail north to some of our favourite National Wildlife Refuges: Flattop, Skipjack and Bare Islands. Spotted lots of harbor seals, harbor porpoise, bald eagles, black oystercatchers, various types of diving birds, and best of all… a minke whale. This was our first minke whale encounter of the season by “Minke Lake” near Sandy Pt, Waldron Island. Spectacular views of the minke whale with a backdrop of Mt Baker.
Route map 9/16/24
Madrone tree on Shaw Island
Mt Baker viewed in Wasp Passage
Great blue heron
Harbor seals on Flattop Island
Bald eagle on Flattop Island
Harbor seal on Flattop Island
Minke whale near “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island
Minke whale near “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island
Minke whale near “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island
Harbor seal swimming by
Minke whale near “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island
Minke whale near “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island
Minke whale near “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island
Minke whale near “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island
Minke whale near “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island
Gorgeous day
Minke whale near “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island
Minke whale near “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island
Minke whale near “Minke Lake” west of Waldron Island
Harbor porpoise
Minke whale with Mt Baker
Sailing towards Skipjack Island
Harbor seals on Skipjack Island
Harbor seals on Skipjack Island
Harbor seals on Skipjack Island
Harbor seals on Skipjack Island
Skipjack Island
Bare Island and Mt Baker
Bare Island and Mt Baker
Harbor seals on Bare Island
Black oystercatchers
Bald eagle on Orcas Island
Orcas Island Turtleback Mountain
Sailing wing on wing downwind