Humpback whales BCY0946 “Slits" and BCY1022 “Scratchy” plus a Minke Whale

August 8, 2023 – Today we decided to go south despite the flood current and tucked inside of Griffin Bay to find a back eddy. There were many harbor seals hauled out south of Turn Island and at Goose Island near the cormorants and gulls. With news of a pair of humpbacks headed east from Middle Bank we moved quickly north to see them. The pair were identified as BCY0946 “Slits” and BCY1022 “Scratchy”. When they reached Eagle Point the humpbacks turned south in our direction which was fantastic. We sailed alongside getting some nice views before breaking away to scan for minke whales on Salmon Bank. As we were scanning, the humpbacks popped up again nearby also cruising Salmon Bank. Hearing their exhales and watching them surface with a backdrop of the Olympic Mountains wasn’t too shabby. As we were headed back towards Cattle Pass we did get lucky with a minke whale sighting. It was one we recognize and see all the time with the nick on the leading edge of the dorsal fin. Next we stopped by the Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks and checked out the wildlife by Deadman Island. A bald eagle was perched in a tree with something in its talons which looked to a bird. Our day ended with a nice relaxing cruise up the channel back to Friday Harbor.

Side note: In October 2022 humpback whale BCY0946 “Slits” was successfully rescued after being entangled in prawn fishing gear near Texada Island, BC. Additionally, this humpback whale has been seen solo bubble net feeding off the west side of San Juan Island.