July 3, 2023 – After leaving Friday Harbor we headed south today with a mission to head to Hein Bank. There had been sightings of about 5 minke whales there. A humpback whale was not too far from there, but he/she was moving southwest in the wrong direction and difficult to catch up with. Around Turn Island we spotted one of the resident raccoons foraging, many harbor seals hauled out warming up in the sunshine and bald eagles. On Whale Rocks there were many harbor seals on the rocks with the Steller sea lions. The cutest little sea otter was drifting near Hein Bank, and we were very excited to see him. While on Hein Bank we found one minke whale who was just milling at first but soon began lunge feeding. As we drifted we could hear her exhales each surfacing as she gave us some amazing views. From Hein Bank we moved north to see what we could see on Middle Bank before sweeping back around to San Juan Island. The Southern Resident L12 sub-group had been present heading southwest. As we sailed back towards Cattle Point we got some distant views as the groups traveled and socialized.
Sailing wing on wing after leaving Friday Harbor
Turn Island State Park at low tide
Raccoon on Turn Island
Harbor seals on the rocks by Turn Island
Bald eagle coming in for a landing
Harbor seals on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Harbor seals and Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Mt Baker
Sea otter floating near Hein Bank
Minke whale on Hein Bank
Minke whale on Hein Bank with Olympic Mountains back drop
Minke whale lunge feeding on Hein Bank
Minke whale lunge feeding on Hein Bank
Minke whale lunge feeding on Hein Bank
Minke whale on Hein Bank
Minke whale on Hein Bank
Minke whale on Hein Bank
Minke whale on Hein Bank
Minke whale on Hein Bank
Minke whale on Hein Bank
Southern Resident orcas from the L12 subgroup
One of the newest calves in the Southern Resident orcas from the L12 subgroup
Southern Resident orca with Mt Rainier
Southern Resident orca with Mt Rainier
Southern Resident orca tail in the air
Southern Resident orca L85 in the distance
Mt Baker
Rhinoceros auklet with fish
Rhinoceros auklets
Cormorants on Goose island
Route map 7/3/23