May 11, 2018 – Caught the northerly flood and sailed San Juan Channel to circumnavigate Yellow Island. Passing Jones Island we picked up a report of transient orcas known as the T123’s at Matia Island and shortly after a humpback near Tilly Pt. We continued on the flood to pass close to Flattop Island and crossed Boundary Pass into Canada to meet the humpback whale BCX1210 aka “Slate”. He/she appeared to be circling, possibly feeding, moving slowly west. We sailed on to Java Rocks and the Saturna shoreline where black oystercatchers and eagles and harbor seals were watching the day go by. We set a course for Skipjack Island to meet the orcas but changed to the west of Waldron to Point Disney where we met them clearing close to the steep cliffs. They stopped for a meal and were joined by lots of gulls. Homeward bound on the ebb by way of Spring Pass and Nob Island to end a perfect day.
All Aboard Sailing San Juan Channel North
Harbor Seals hauled out and Spieden Channel
Canada Geese and Blue Camas
Great Blue Heron
Eagle nest
Pigeon Guillemots near nesting site
Pigeon Guillemot with red feet
Humpback whale surfaces near deep sea ship
Humpback Whale exhale BCX1210 ‘Slate”
Humpback Whale fluke and Olympic mountain range BCX1210 ‘Slate”
Humpback Whale fluke and Olympic mountain range BCX1210 ‘Slate”
Black Oyster Catchers, Java Rocks, Saturna Island Canada
Harbor Seals, Java Rocks, Saturna Island Canada
Wildflowers on Java Rocks
Skipjack Island
Point Disney, Waldron Island
Bald Eagle, Point Disney, Waldron Island
Bald Eagle, Point Disney, Waldron Island
T123A, ‘Stanley’, Point Disney Waldron Island
Harbor Seals on high alert after Orcas pass
T123A, ‘Stanley
T123A, ‘Stanley
Transient Orca Spyhop, 18 year old T123A, ‘Stanley’ – born 2000
Mum and son of the T123s
T123C, 6 years old juvenile
Family Portrait T123s
Harbor Seals White Rock
Sailing between the islands
Sailing home to Friday Harbor