August 22, 2025 – Sailed out from Friday Harbor across the channel to Shaw Island debating on which direction to travel today. We tacked to come inside of Turn Island but running out of wind and the flood tide beginning we were pushed back to circle the island. We checked out Turn Rock for the sea otter which was not there today. Pushed south to Pear Pt evading the flood current to Harbor Rock, Goose Island and Cattle Pass. We came out to Salmon Bank and met Biggs/Transient orcas, the T37A’s. Some lovely views as they meandered their way changing directions before choosing south. We tacked and sailed back to meet humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory”. She has been in the area for some time over a week. As we were nearing Iceberg Point we watched as she did a cartwheel followed by multiple tail lobs and inverted tail lobs showing off the white underside of her tail flukes. Returning south of Long Island where a bald eagle was watching everything to Whale Rocks where the Steller sea lions seemed to be increasing in numbers of large males. Passing Deadman Island a large number of black oystercatchers gathered and harbor seals rested as we caught the flood tide north. At Turn Island we resumed a fast close-hauled sail tacking at Shaw Island to return to Friday Harbor. Beautiful summer day sailing.
Biggs/Transient T37A2
Mt Baker
Turn Island State Park
Great blue heron and harbor seals
Bald eagle, Cape San Juan
Harbor seals on Goose Island with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Harbor seals on Goose Island
Double-crested cormorants on Goose Island
Pelagic cormorants on Goose Island
Biggs/Transient T37A4 with Olympic Mountains
Biggs/Transient T37A4
Biggs/Transient T37A
Biggs/Transient T37A with daughter T37A4
Biggs/Transient T37A4
Biggs/Transient T37A
Biggs/Transient T37A2 with Olympic Mountains
Biggs/Transient T37A2
Biggs/Transient T37A4
Biggs/Transient T37A
Humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” with Mt Baker
Humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” near Iceberg Pt, Lopez Island
Tail of Humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” near Iceberg Pt, Lopez Island
Humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” near Iceberg Pt, Lopez Island
Humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” tail lobbing near Iceberg Pt, Lopez Island
Humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” tail lobbing near Iceberg Pt, Lopez Island
Humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” tail lobbing near Iceberg Pt, Lopez Island
Humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” tail lobbing near Iceberg Pt, Lopez Island
Humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” tail lobbing near Iceberg Pt, Lopez Island
Humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” near Iceberg Pt, Lopez Island
Humpback whale BCZ0345 “Victory” near Iceberg Pt, Lopez Island
Bald eagle, Long Island, WA
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Brandts cormorants on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Harbor seals by Deadman Island
Black oystercatchers, Deadman Island
Black oystercatchers, Deadman Island
Harbor seals by Deadman Island
Fabulous day sailing
Route map 8/22/25