July 10, 2020 – With news of J pod returning to False Bay possibly heading toward South Beach we set sails and made haste to the South. To make time against the flood we followed close to the shoreline through Turn Island Pass and to Pear Point keeping to the inside of Griffin Bay to Harbor Rock and to Goose Island cormorant rookery. Harbor seals watched from the sheltered waters of the kelp forest.
J pod had moved North which left us committed to a longer sail. Two whales passed us quickly southbound towards Pile Point. The parade of J31, J41 and J19 passed us at Edwards Point and 5 year old J51 was goofing around with J56 – the youngest J pod member born May 2019. J31 came back to get the kids and they all headed South.
With the strong flood tide it made sense for us to continue North passed Lime Kiln Lighthouse. We had a fantastic sail watching the sunset over the Canadian Gulf Islands. Our passenger spotted a Peregrine Falcon on Henry Island and we spotted an eagle chick above its nest as we drift sailed the calm reflective waters. Returning via Spieden Channel as dusk began and into Friday Harbor by starlight.
Harbor seals in the bull kelp
Cattle Pt Lighthouse and Olympic Mountains
J31 heading down island
J41 heading down island
J51
J56 with J51
J19
J51
J56
J51 and J56 spy hopping together
J31 coming back island to retrieve the youngsters
Orca spy peep
J31 with calf J56
J31 with J56 and J51
J31 with J56 and J51
Lime Kiln Point State Park
Beginning of an incredible sunset
Sunset sail
Sunset over Canadian Gulf Islands
Sunset over Canadian Gulf Islands
Peregrine Falcon on Henry Island
Sunset over Canadian Gulf Islands
Henry Island reflections
Bald eagle chick perched above nest on Henry Island
Bald eagle chick perched above nest
Bald eagle chick perched above nest
Sunset Sail
Sunset Sail
Sunset Sail
Route Map 7-10-20