July 29, 2025 – We had been monitoring reports of a family of BIggs/Transient orcas known as the T46’s as they were southeast bound from Coal Island, BC. After casting off we moved quickly north up San Juan Channel and took New Channel on the north side of Spieden Island. As we hugged the beautiful coastline of Stuart Island it looked as though the orcas would head our way, but instead turned south down Haro Strait. The family of four siblings were somewhat spread and pushing south rather quickly into choppier water so we did our best to keep up. When we left the orcas we crossed towards Henry Island and made our way back up to the south side of Spieden Island. Returned via the Wasp Islands and a sail across the channel into the sunset.
Biggs/Transient orca T46D southbound Haro Strait
Bald eagle, Spieden Island
Spieden Island
Turn Pt Lighthouse and Lovers Leap, Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orca T46D southbound Haro Strait
Biggs/Transient orca T46D southbound Haro Strait
Biggs/Transient orca T46E southbound Haro Strait
Totem pole, Henry Island
Pair of bald eagles, Battleship Island
Harbor seals, Sentinel Rock
Harbor seal, Spieden Island
Bald eagle, Spieden Island
Mouflon sheep with glacial erratics and Garry Oak tree on Spieden Island
Pair of bald eagles on Spieden Island
Island. reflections in evening light
Black oystercatchers in the sunset
Close hauled sailling
Sunset sail – San Juan Islands
Crescent moon
Route map 7/29/25 pm