10/2/16 – Out through Cattle Pass and took a right. Never seen so many surf scoters. All in a line milling off South Beach. We continued north to meet transient orcas, T36A’s and T65B’s. They entered our favorite channel, New Channel, north of Spieden Island. Deep still waters, forest reflections, and backlit blows. Steller sea lions at Green Pt were on red alert as the transients passed right next to them. We departed and heard on the radio that the orcas circumnavigated Spieden Island twice.
Harbor seals
Cattle Point Lighthouse and Goose Island in the foreground
Great blue heron
Steller sea lion and pelagic cormorant
Surf scoters milling off South Beach, San Juan Island
A family of Transient Orcas known as the T36A’s
Sailing with killer whales
Spieden Island
Half breach
Orcas in New Channel
Tail lob
Orcas lunging/chasing after each other
Playful behavior
Transient killer whales, T36A’s and T65B’s, New Channel
Transient killer whales, T36A’s and T65B’s, New Channel
Orca backlit blows
Steller sea lions on red alert as the orcas pass beside them
Orca Spy hop
Orca back breach
Orcas heading west in Spieden Channel towards Battleship Island
Returning to the Port of Friday Harbor