July 16, 2025 – After casting off we took the narrow pass around Turn Island seeing a black tailed deer, harbor seals and a bald eagle. Sailed down San Juan Channel seeing black oystercatchers, harbor seals with pups, and a juvenile bald eagle roosting on Deadman Island. Steller sea lions along with gulls and newly hatched chicks were at Whale Rocks. We sailed over Salmon Bank seeing some bait balls but no minke whales. After hearing a report of a minke whale on Hein Bank we continued south. There were two or three distant views and a couple blows heard of the minke whale and despite active birds feeding on bait balls the minke whale disappeared. We returned as the current switched to flood. Good views at Goose Island of more gull chicks and cormorants, harbor seals and black oystercatchers. Fast close-hauled sail into Friday Harbor.
Harbor seals, Shark Reef
Black tailed deer on Turn Island
Harbor seals near Turn Island
Steller sea lion swimming in San Juan Channel near Lopez Island
Black oystercatchers, Lopez Island
Black oystercatcher, Lopez Island
Harbor seal with newborn pup, Deadman Island
Juvenile bald eagle on Deadman Island
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Gulls with chicks on Whale Rocks
Cormorants on Whale Rocks
Gulls with chick on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Green can at Salmon Bank
Sailboat with Mt Baker
Gulls with chicks on Goose Island
Double-crested cormorants on Goose Island
Gulls with chicks on Goose Island
Gulls with chicks on Goose Island
Black oystercatcher, Goose Island
Route map 7/16/25