June 6, 2024 – We headed south on the ebb tide monitoring reports of a humpback whale heading NW from MacArthur Bank towards Iceberg Pt, Lopez Island. Sailing inside the pass by Turn Island State Park we spotted raccoons on the beach at low tide and harbor seals hauled out warming in the sunshine. Just before King’s Point we found multiple bald eagles engaged in competition over food on the beach. Passed by purple ochre sea stars and more harbor seals by Deadman Island before checking out the Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks. It was fun to watch as a couple of them jumped off the rock into the water with a big splash. We encountered the small humpback whale near Swirl Rocks swimming close to shore. We didn’t observe any fluking, and couldn’t figure out who it was using the dorsal fin. Photos have been sent to Happywhale.com to see if they can help.
We left the whale to circle Castle Rock and explore the coastline and bays. Cutting from Iceberg Point to Salmon Bank we found 3 different minke whales spread out milling on the southwest tip of the bank. No feeding behaviors were observed. With the fast flood tide we came in quickly through Cattle Pass and up San Juan Channel back to Friday Harbor.
Ferry with Mt Baker
Reefed sails – sailing around Turn Island State Park
Sailing around Turn Island State Park during low tide
Harbor seals by Turn Island
Harbor seals by Pear Pt, San Juan Island
Harbor seals by Danger Rock, San Juan Island
Downwind sailing wing on wing
Pair of eagles engaged in eating something on Lopez coastline
Purple ochre sea star by Deadman Island
Harbor seals by Deadman Island
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands with Mt Baker
Steller sea lion making a splash
Bald eagle nest on Long Island, Washington
Juvenile bald eagle flying overhead
Harbor seals near Hall Island
Distant view of Swirl Rock and Colville Island
Juvenile humpback whale near south Lopez Island
Sailing whale watching
Juvenile humpback whale near south Lopez Island
Juvenile humpback whale near south Lopez Island
Juvenile humpback whale near south Lopez Island
Juvenile humpback whale near south Lopez Island
Mt Baker
Castle Rock
South Lopez Island coastline
Bald eagle nest on South Lopez Island
South Lopez Island coastline
South Lopez Island coastline
South Lopez Island coastline
South Lopez Island coastline toothpick rocks
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Minke whale on Salmon Bank, San Juan Islands
Cormorants nesting on Goose Island
Route map 6/6/24