Minke on Salmon Bank, Gray whale in Cattle Pass

June 12, 2021 – We sailed South on the ebb with a report of orcas (T18’s and others) at Hein Bank. Low tide and the pass inside Turn Island was gorgeous with calm waters, sand spits and harbor seals. A fast sail as we came back into the channel though winds dropped to the South. Drifting passed Deadman Island and a sail to Whale Rocks where harbor seals and a Steller sea lion shared a rock – usually they have their own rocks. The Biggs orcas had moved Southwest out of our range so we decided to head for Salmon Bank to look for minke whales. We found one but with single surfacing in an erratic circular pattern. A few good looks and we pressed on to Hein Bank. More minke whales here of which we saw two and several good views as s/he moved in a small area. Light winds were sufficient for a comfortable sail back to Salmon Bank where we had good views of two minke whales. Coming back into Cattle Pass on the flood current and a gray whale was treading water barely making it to the lighthouse against 4-5 knots of current. We held position wing on wing and a beam reach for a while and our photos indicate this as a different whale than the CRC1364 we’ve been seeing here lately. Jibing we picked up speed on the flood to sail the rapids and whirlpools back though the pass. We continued the sail all the way to Friday Harbor with more fun times on the currents and upwellings passing Turn Island. Some great sailing today and fine views of minkes and a gray whale.