Biggs/Transient orca family T123's pass Friday Harbor

May 11, 2020 – This morning a friend of ours reported seeing orcas coming down Spring Passage from Jones Island heading our way – off we went to check out who it was. After our first pass we realized it was the T123’s (who were seen recently in San Juan Channel on May 4th hunting a sea lion for 1 1/2 hours – but he eventually made it to a shallow bay and the orcas gave up chase).

This a a family we’ve seen many times before and for what its worth they usually seem hungry! Today we witnessed a hunt near Reid Rock outside of Friday Harbor and again further down the channel they chased down a harbor porpoise. Lots of socializing and playful behavior amongst the family including youngest member T123D (born 2018) and her sister T123C (born 2012).

With the strong ebb tide in our favor and increasing winds we were sailing close to 9 knots heeled over nicely! We left the whales as they continued south abeam of Big Rock and changed course for home.

Note: We later heard that the orcas flipped northbound after milling near Whale Rocks (the sea lion and harbor seal haul out location) and made their way up to the top of San Juan Channel. Additionally, another group of orcas known as the T18’s were coming down the channel 7pm.