Humpback Whale BCY0324 "Big Mama" with her 2025 Calf in President Channel

June 7, 2025 – After casting off we had a great sail up the channel to Neck Pt. There were many harbor seals hauled out on Shirt Tail Reef with the low tide. A few bald eagles were scattered around the tree tops as another bald eagle was eating a deer carcass on McConnell Island on the shoreline. Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” and her new calf who had been near Flattop Island since yesterday began traveling up President Channel. We had to pick up the pace in order to catch up to them so we motor sailed to Spring Pass and hugged the north shore of Orcas Island. When we arrived we saw the calf surface multiple times and wondered where Big Mama was. Suddenly Big Mama flipped out of the water with a huge cartwheel surprising us all. What a sight to see! After some nice views we span around as they continued northeast towards Patos Island. With moderate winds for sailing we sailed downwind wing on wing enjoying the the gorgeous coastline of Orcas Island. Cut through the Wasp Islands again before sailing across to Friday Harbor.