July 4, 2023 – With little to no wind we moved quickly north motor sailing towards Spieden Channel. Biggs/Transient orcas known as the T49A’s had been northbound on the west side of San Juan Island. The orcas chose to cut through Mosquito Pass and through Roche Harbor on the busiest boating day of the year. Additionally, Southern Resident J pod orcas were southbound in Haro Strait nearing Battleship Island after their trip up to Campbell River. We met the T49A’s (minus T49A2) just north of Roche Harbor and watched as they spent some time milling and socializing into the sunset. It was tough to pull away from orcas in the sunset but we had to hurry back to catch the fireworks.
The ebb tide had us going 9 knots, and as we reached Pt Caution we could hear the first booms as the fireworks show began. Rounding the corner into Friday Harbor we enjoyed the beautiful show. After the finale we headed back out taking the pass around Turn Island to see the Lopez Island fireworks, too. Upon our final return to Friday Harbor the full moon rose over the harbor. Another epic July 4th sail in the books!
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s after exiting Mosquito Pass
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s after exiting Mosquito Pass
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s near Battleship Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s near Battleship Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling while harbor seal swims by
Sailing whale watching
Bald eagle on tree top of Battleship Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling near Battleship Island in the sunset
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling near Battleship Island in the sunset
Biggs/Transient orca T49A1
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling near Battleship Island in the sunset
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling near Battleship Island in the sunset
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling near Battleship Island in the sunset
Biggs/Transient orca tossing sea weed into the air
Biggs/Transient orca tossing sea weed into the air
Biggs/Transient orca with sea weed on head
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling near Battleship Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling near Battleship Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling near Battleship Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling near Battleship Island
Biggs/Transient orca T49A1
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling near Battleship Island in the sunset
Biggs/Transient orca T49A1 in the sunset
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s milling near Battleship Island in the sunset
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s surfacing with the sunset
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s surfacing with the sunset
Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s surfacing with the sunset
Sunset sail in the San Juan Islands
Harbor seals with the sunset
Canada Geese with the sunset
Heading back to Friday Harbor after the sun has set
Friday Harbor July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Lopez Island July 4th fireworks
Full moon rising over Friday Harbor
Route map 7/4/23 pm