March 18, 2023 – Leaving Friday Harbor we spotted two bald eagles along the forested coastline. We headed north with a relaxing sail up to the Wasp Islands and dropped anchor to go explore Yellow Island Nature Preserve. To our surprise there were few flowers in bloom. This seemed unusual per our previous visits in March probably due to colder temperatures.
As we continued on we made our way up to Green Point on Spieden Island where we found several Steller sea lions on shore and large rafts of sea lions in the water. On the hillside there was a pair of bald eagles amidst a herd of Mouflon sheep with newborn lambs.
With news of an orca sighting at Cattle Pass we moved south quickly. Just south of Friday Harbor we encountered a family of Biggs/Transient orcas known as the T100’s. We paralleled them as they traveled quickly against the ebb along the Shaw Island coastline. Leaving them at Point George we had a fast, fun sail back to Friday Harbor.
Bald eagle outside of Friday Harbor
Family sailing adventure in the San Juan Islands
Harlequin ducks
Our sailboat Peniel at anchor at Yellow Island
Our sailboat Peniel at anchor at Yellow Island
Broadleaf stonecrop on Yellow Island
Broadleaf stonecrop on Yellow Island
Fawn lilies on Yellow Island
Yellow Island
Western sand spit on Yellow Island
Our daughter Skye having fun on the beach of Yellow Island
Our daughter Skye finding rocks that look like planets
Skye and the lady bug
Lady buy on Yellow Island
Crocus flowers on Yellow Island
David and Skye on Yellow Island. Our Bullfrog Tender
Using our Bullfrog Tender to go to Yellow Island and Peniel at anchor
Using our Bullfrog Tender to go to Yellow Island and Peniel at anchor
Common Mergansers
Buffleheads
Black oystercatcher
Steller sea lions at Green Point, Spieden Island
Pair of bald eagles on Spieden Island
Mouflon rams on Spieden Island
Mouflon sheep with lamb on Spieden Island
Mouflon sheep with lamb on Spieden Island
Pair of bald eagles in the grass on Spieden Island
Harbor seals
Raft of Steller sea lions
Steller sea lions
Biggs/Transient Orcas T100’s northbound San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient Orcas T100’s northbound San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient Orcas T100’s northbound San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient Orcas T100’s northbound San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient Orcas T100’s northbound San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient Orcas T100’s northbound San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient Orcas T100’s northbound San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient Orcas T100’s northbound San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient Orcas T100’s northbound San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orca T100C with a squiggly fin tip
Sailing back to Friday Harbor
Route map 3/18/23