Biggs/Transient Orcas T60's plus T2B circle Stuart Island

September 5, 2022 – After leaving Friday Harbor we headed north with news of Biggs/Transient orcas in the area. We caught up with the orca family known as the T60’s plus T2B (she usually travels with them) just south of Johns Pass where the orcas were milling. The orcas headed west up the coastline of Stuart Island. At one point T60 and T60G backtracked and stopped for hunting. We continued with the others as they worked their way along the shoreline. Eventually in the distance we saw the two orcas porpoising at speed to catch up with the others, and it was so exciting watching them zoom by us. As the orcas rounded Turn Pt Lighthouse they made a right and hugged the north side of Stuart. We were headed that way also so we stuck with the orcas a little longer. It was gorgeous watching the back lit blows against the dark forested background. We heard a bunch of splashing and spotted a harbor seal repeatedly breaching nearby. The orcas who were quite a distance away changed course towards the seal. We think the seal realized it was in trouble and ventured deep into the cove behind Satellite Island. We decided to keep going on our adventure and went to explore New Channel by cutting in through Ripple Pass and through the Cactus Islands. The orcas followed our trail into New Channel and continued west back towards Stuart again. We watched as they swam by once more before continuing our journey again back towards Friday Harbor.