March 30, 2024 – Our first official sail of the season. Heeled over on a close hauled sail towards the wind we left Friday Harbor and crossed San Juan Channel. Nearing Shaw Island we could see some bald eagle action at Point George. With the weather looking cold and blustery to the North we decided to let the ebb current carry us South. After passing close to shore to see the coastline of Shaw Island we sailed to Turn Island and saw harbor seals hauled out resting and warming. Headed down the channel and drifted by Deadman Island with more eagles, harbor seals, and black oystercatchers. Out to Whale Rocks where there was a great number of Steller sea lions both in and out of the water with a California sea lion’s unmistakeable barking in the mix. There were at least six bald eagles here today hanging out amongst the sea lions. We sailed on to circle Long Island before coming back to Cattle Point Lighthouse and Goose Island. Surf scoters, harlequin ducks, bufflehead ducks, a great blue heron and loons were all seen on our return home.
Bald eagle on Shaw Island
Bald eagle on Shaw Island engaged in eating
Harbor seal on Shaw Island
Harbor seals hauled out by Pear Pt, San Juan Island
Olympic Mountains
Sailing towards Deadman Island
Cattle Pass and Cattle Pt Lighthouse, San Juan Island
Black oystercatcher
Juvenile bald eagle overlooking Deadman Island
Juvenile bald eagle flying around by Whale Rocks
Juvenile bald eagle on Whale Rocks
Juvenile bald eagle on Whale Rocks
Bald eagles and sea lions at Whale Rocks
Bald eagles and sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions with Olympic Mountain range
Bald eagle and sea lions at Whale Rocks
California and Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Sea lions on Whale Rocks south of San Juan Island
Bald eagles and sea lions at Whale Rocks
Bald eagles on Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
California and Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Juvenile bald eagle on Whale Rocks
Adult bald eagle on Whale Rocks
Adult bald eagle flying by – San Juan Islands
Sleepy Steller sea lion on Whale Rocks with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Sleepy Steller sea lion on Whale Rocks
Vacant double-crested cormorant nests on Goose Island
Double-crested and Pelagic cormorants on Goose Island
Harlequin ducks by Goose Island
Surf scoter by Goose Island
Mt Rainier viewed over 100 miles away from San Juan Island
Harbor seals by Pear Pt, San Juan Island
Sliver of land on Turn Island
Buffleheads by Turn Island
Great blue heron by Turn Island
Mt Baker viewed from San Juan Island
Flowers growing on someone’s roof on Brown Island
Route map 3/30/24