September 21, 2022 – Today is the equinox with the sun overhead at the equator before heading South for 6 months. Summer still here and we left the harbor and sailed across to Shaw before tacking and coming through Turn Island Pass. Wing on wing gave us a serene sail passing the resting harbor seals before crossing to Lopez. Harlequin ducks were with the seals at the narrow pass of Deadman Island and then on to Whale Rocks steller sea lions boisterous bravado. We came over Salmon Bank and out to Middle Bank with a brief view of a minke whale amongst the ending gulls before we shot North with news of orcas Northbound in Haro Strait. We passed another Minke at Beaumont Shoals and met T60D anT60E approaching Kelp Reef. They made a point of draping kelp over their head and in their mouth while spy hopping above the surface. They seemed to be hunting a harbor seal but their antics were playful with pectoral fins slaps while floating upside down. Tail slaps and then on to the next kelp forest patch and another seal. Homeward bound passing Roche Harbor and into sunset at Friday Harbor.
Sailing wing on wing
Sailing around Turn Island
Harbor seals hauled out
Harbor seals hauled out by Deadman Island
Harlequin ducks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Cormorants on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Gulls near a bait ball where minke was feeding (no minke photos though)
Orca spy hop
Biggs orcas, brothers T60D and T60E
Biggs orca T60E
Biggs orca T60D
Orca breach
Orca breach
Orca breach
Orca brothers playing around
Male orca swimming on his back
Orca tail slap near the kelp bed
Orca spy hop while draped in bull kelp
Orca spy hop while draped in bull kelp
Orca spy hop while draped in bull kelp
Orca inverted tail slap
Orca tail slap near the kelp bed
Orca tail slap near the kelp bed
Harbor seal in a cave on Henry Island
Bald eagle nest on Henry Island
Totem Pole on Henry Island
Bald eagle on Battleship Island
Church in Roche Harbor
Harbor seals on Low Island
WA State Ferry in Wasp Passage with Mt Baker
Sunset over Friday Harbor
Totem Pole on Brown Island
Route map 9-21-22