October 12, 2023 – Sailed north tacking our way through the Wasp Islands and up through Spring Pass. While on our way to Flattop Island a humpback whale was found by Skipjack Island. After checking out the harbor seals on Flattop Island and White Rock and bald eagles and an eagles’ nest, we moved north to see the whale. The male humpback was identified as BCY0771 “Bump” and he goes to Mexico during breeding season according to happywhale.com. We had some beautiful views of the whale in mirror calm waters as he traveled southwest towards Turn Pt, Stuart Island. Breaking away we cut through the narrow pass by Ripple Island and weaved our way through New Channel also cutting through the Cactus Islands. There were several Steller sea lions at Green Pt, Spieden Island, hauled out and also in the water. We returned to Friday Harbor as the sun was setting.
Mt Baker viewed from Friday Harbor, Washington
Bald eagle, San Juan Islands
Distant fog by Spieden Island
Cliff Island and Nob Island
Haida cabin on Reef Island
Layers of islands while sailing through the Wasp Islands
Harbor porpoise
Harbor seals at Flattop Island with honeycombed sandstone geology
Harbor seals at Flattop Island with honeycombed sandstone geology
Harbor seals at Flattop Island with honeycombed sandstone geology
Harbor seals at Flattop Island with honeycombed sandstone geology
Bald eagle nest on Flattop Island
Harbor seals at Flattop Island, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals at White Rock, San Juan Islands
Bald eagle on White Rock, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals at White Rock, San Juan Islands
Bald eagle flying by
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” westbound Boundary Passage
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” westbound Boundary Passage
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” dorsal fin left side
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” raising tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” westbound Boundary Passage
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” raising tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” with backlit exhale
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” with backlit exhale
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump”
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” in beautiful glassy waters
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” with a high arch before deep dive
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” raising tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” raising tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” with Olympic Mountains
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” raising tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” raising tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” tail flukes
Artsy photo of humpback exhale
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” in glassy conditions in Boundary Pass
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” in glassy conditions in Boundary Pass
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump”
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump”
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” westbound Boundary Passage
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCY0771 “Bump” tail flukes
Cormorants on a rock in New Channel
Oak tree with fall colors on Cactus Island
Steller sea lions at Green Pt, Spieden Island, during sunset
Steller sea lions at Green Pt, Spieden Island
Steller sea lion at Green Pt, Spieden Island
Steller sea lions on Spieden Island
Mouflon ram on Spieden Island
Layers of islands looking west through Spieden Channel
Mt Baker in sunset light
Sunset over San Juan Island
Sunset colors over San Juan Island
Friday Harbor, Washington, at sunset
Route map 10/12/23