September 21, 2024 – With a report of a single male orca south of the island we headed south quickly on the strong ebb. As he came through Cattle Pass we switched to sail power and tacked across the channel meeting Biggs/Transient orca T49C. Sailing parallel as he followed the shoreline of Griffin Bay watching as he appeared to be hunting in a few areas. After hunting at Dinner Island he passed with a harbor seal in his mouth. Two breaches and pec fin slaps as he continued and more breaches after hunting again near Pear Pt. We left him to cut through Turn Island Pass and sail to Shaw Island. Sailing back to San Juan Island we heard that he entered Friday Harbor through the north entrance and we arrived at the south entrance just as he finished hunting yet again inside the harbor. Quite a memorable encounter.
Route map 9/21/24
Biggs/Transient orca T49C in San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orca T49C in San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orca T49C with Mt Baker
Biggs/Transient orca T49C with Mt Baker
Biggs/Transient orca T49C in San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orca T49C in San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orca T49C hunting
Biggs/Transient orca T49C with meat in his mouth
Biggs/Transient orca T49C eating
Biggs/Transient orca T49C breach after successful hunt with Mt Baker backdrop
Biggs/Transient orca T49C with kayakers in distance
Biggs/Transient orca T49C with meat in his mouth
Biggs/Transient orca T49C near Pear Pt
Biggs/Transient orca T49C breaching
Biggs/Transient orca T49C breaching
Biggs/Transient orca T49C repeatedly breaching
Biggs/Transient orca T49C repeatedly breaching
Biggs/Transient orca T49C repeatedly breaching
Biggs/Transient orca T49C repeatedly breaching
Biggs/Transient orca T49C repeatedly breaching
Biggs/Transient orca T49C repeatedly breaching
Biggs/Transient orca T49C
Biggs/Transient orca T49C breaching
Biggs/Transient orca T49C
Harbor seals on the rocks, San Juan Channel
Turn Island State Park
Turn Island State Park
Biggs/Transient orca T49C hunting in Shipyard Cove
Biggs/Transient orca T49C hunting in Shipyard Cove
Biggs/Transient orca T49C in Shipyard Cove
Biggs/Transient orca T49C in Shipyard Cove
Biggs/Transient orca T49C exiting Shipyard Cove
Biggs/Transient orca T49C with WA State Ferry