Today we picked up our passengers from Deer Harbor and caught a fair wind to explore the islands. As we tacked around Low Island we spotted a bald eagle on the rocks and after a few calls was joined by a second Eagle. Black oystercatchers were on red alert making their own calls in protest to the eagles presence.
After circling Low sland we cruised the shoreline of Yellow Island seeing the blue camas still in bloom. A beam reach across San Juan Channel to O’Neil Island where we found an eagles nest with 2 fairly large chicks and the parent above.
Wing on wing downwind sailing brought us across Spieden Channel to scan to the west before a beam reach fast sail to Flattop Island. Pigeon guillemots were giving their shrill whistles and flying to and from rocky ledges and grassy slopes which we presume are their nesting areas. Sailed on to Presidents Channel and followed the Orcas shoreline at sunset to return.
Route Map 6-4-19
Black oystercatcher hiding from eagle in the flowers of Low Island
Bald eagle on Low Island
Bald eagle on Low Island
Black oystercatcher calling
Black oystercatcher on Low Island
Bald eagle rock hopping on Low Island
Pair of bald eagles on Low Island
Wildflowers on Yellow Island
Two bald eagle chicks in nest
Two bald eagle chicks in nest with parent above
Sailing wing on wing
Wildflowers on Flattop Island
Pigeon guillemot nesting on Flattop Island
Pigeon guillemot flying to Flattop Island
Sunset view to the west
Madrone trees on Orcas Island shoreline
Sunset