April 17, 2025 – We tacked our way up San Juan Channel and came around Flattop Island over to Ripple Island and down to the Cactus Islands. Followed the Spieden Island shoreline and the Stuart Island shoreline to Turn Pt Lighthouse. Circumnavigating Stuart Island and coming in through John’s Pass while watching an otter with a fish a report came in of Biggs orcas near Patos Island. With the strong flood tide we decided to go for it and set a course for Skipjack and then Alden Pt Lighthouse. Rounding Patos Island we found the orcas, T36A’s, T65B’s and T99B, who appeared to be sharing a meal while socializing with Mt Baker in the background. We dropped the hydrophone to hear great orca vocals. It was fun watching them having fun in the late afternoon light in mirror calm waters. We returned via Sucia Island and Little Sucia Island to President Channel hugging the north shore of Orcas Island as the sun set. Starlit night sailing back to Friday Harbor.
Bald eagle, San Juan Islands
Wildflowers on Yellow Island
Juvenile bald eagle, San Juan Islands
Line of migratory birds
Harbor seals, San Juan Islands
Flattop Island
Stuart Island
Turn Pt Lighthouse, Stuart Island
Mt Baker behind Stuart Island
Bald eagle, Stuart Island
Totem Pole, Stuart Island
Bald eagle nest, Stuart Island
Bald eagle, San Juan Islands
River otter
Alden Pt Lighthouse, Patos Island
Biggs orcas T36A’s, T65B’s and T99B eating and socializing
Biggs orcas T36A’s, T65B’s and T99B eating and socializing
Biggs orcas T36A’s, T65B’s and T99B eating and socializing
Biggs orca T36A1
Orca tail lob with Mt Baker
Biggs orcas T36A’s, T65B’s and T99B eating and socializing
Orca tail lob
Orca tail lob
Biggs orcas T36A’s, T65B’s and T99B eating and socializing
Biggs orcas T36A’s, T65B’s and T99B eating and socializing
Biggs orca T99B
Biggs orcas T99B with T36A2
Biggs orca T65B1
Biggs orca T65B1 tail lob
Biggs orcas T36A’s, T65B’s and T99B eating and socializing
Biggs orcas T36A’s, T65B’s and T99B eating and socializing
Biggs orcas T36A’s, T65B’s and T99B eating and socializing
Biggs orcas T65B
Orca breach
Biggs orcas T36A’s, T65B’s and T99B eating and socializing
Biggs orca with Mt Baker
Orca spy hop
Biggs orcas with Mt Baker
Biggs orca T65B1 with Mt Baker
Flock of gulls
Biggs orca T99B
Mt Baker in sunset light
Honeycombed sandstone
Historic Lime Kiln on Orcas Island in the sunset light
Sunset, San Juan Islands
Sunset, San Juan Islands
Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
Route map 4/17/25