All Aboard Sailing

Biggs/Transient Orcas T60D and T60E with T97

September 16, 2022 – It was an epic sail with some intense winds/seas while watching three big male Transient(Biggs) orcas including 42 yr old T97 and siblings T60D (18 yrs) and T60E (14 yrs). Our adventure started before casting off as we watched the orcas from the dock passing the harbor. They were busy hunting a harbor seal outside the harbor and had some socializing before heading south down San Juan Channel. The three big boys headed into Griffin Bay and we had a fantastic sail with some big seas watching as the boys’ chins came blasting through the waves. They gave a close pass by the sea lions on Whale Rocks and stopped to socialize or hunt in the bay south of Long Island. There were many tail slaps and about 4-5 breaches. Impressive to see such a big animal leaping out of the water and such a big splash. The orcas continued out into the 4 footers towards Salmon Bank and we kept to the inside of Long Island to get out of the chunky seas. We passed by some resting harbor seals near Deadman Island and Shark Reef and had a fun, wet sail with much salt spray up the channel back to Friday Harbor. An adventure we won’t soon forget!

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 southbound in San Juan Channel

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 southbound in San Juan Channel

Harbor seals hauled out

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 in choppy seas

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 in choppy seas

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 in choppy seas

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 in choppy seas

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 in choppy seas

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 in choppy seas

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 in choppy seas

Cattle Pt Lighthouse, San Juan Island

Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks

Cormorants on Whale Rocks

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 exiting Cattle Pass

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 socializing near Long Island

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 socializing near Long Island

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 socializing near Long Island

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 socializing near Long Island

Orca tail slap

Orca leaping

Orca leaping

Splash

Orca tail in the air

Orca tail slap

Orca head stand

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 socializing near Long Island

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 socializing near Long Island

Orca tails in the air

Inverted tail lobs

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 headed out to Salmon Bank

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 headed out to Salmon Bank

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 headed out to Salmon Bank

Splash after breach

Male orca breach

Male orca breach

Male orca breach – notice the brownish marking on his belly? hmm

Male orca breach

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 headed out to Salmon Bank

Orca inverted tail lob

Biggs orcas T60D and T60E with T97 headed out to Salmon Bank

Harbor seals on Whale Rocks with Cattle Pt Lighthouse

Harbor seals by Deadman Island

Harbor seals by Deadman Island

Harbor seals by Shark Reef

Close hauled sail back to Friday Harbor with reefed sails

Route map 9-16-22-am