Sail with orcas T35A's and T38A's plus humpback MMX0007 by Green Pt

September 28, 2019 – Winds were moderate to Strong North Easterlies favorable for sailing. With some blue skies to aim for we headed North on a close hauled sail from Point Caution to follow on the coastline of San Juan Island on first tack. Outside Friday Harbor we’d seen a fox sitting in the sun before tactfully dodge into the forest. Then a family of rivers scurrying a coastal forest edge trail. We tacked across towards the Wasp islands. On receiving a report of Biggs Orcas West side of White Rock we Pointed North from Yellow Island taking the West side of Jones Island state park and on towards Flattop. Winds were kicking up sea spray with white caps and the current was ebbing on a new moon current from Presidents Channel. Two bald eagles on Flattop, one roosting on the NWR sign. Harbor seals were resting high on the rocks with the low tide.

We moved quickly aware that the Orcas at White Rock were milling after a hunt and may not be headed our way. After Gull Rock we adjusted our bearing on hearing the whales had begun traveling. We met the Biggs Orcas, the T35As and T38As North of Johns Pass and sailed alongside as they swam at speed to Swanson Channel.

We broke off on a beam reach to Moresby Island sailing the coastline to Pelorus Point and to Turn Point. Later we heard the Orcas made it to Cowichan Bay by 6pm, another 16 miles away. Tidal chop with rapids of white capped waves, quite beautiful as we looked toward Turn Point Lighthouse under wing on wing sailing. The sudden flood slowed us until we reached Lovers Leap and found the back eddy that provides a counter current. A Loon watched as we checked out the Stuart Island coastline down to to Sentinel Island then choosing to take New Channel with news of a Humpback Whale.

A Peregrine Falcon flew over. We met Humpback whale MMX0007 “Bond” at Green Point. We pointed into wind to change to second reef on the mainsail. Bond circled towards Limestone Point, Jones then Flattop Islands and we continued with a great fast sail. Peniel sails comfortably and fast in moderate 15-23 knot winds with a 2nd reefed main. Supper along a protected area of Shaw Island Coastline. From Hicks Bay we has a beautiful wing on wing sail to Friday Harbor through the sunset. Mount Baker was pink with reflecting the last of the sun on slopes of recent snow.