Sept 5, 2025 – Ribbons of sea mist hung over the landscape to the south. But with a report of Biggs/Transient orcas southwest side of the San Juan Island we headed south. Drifting through Turn Island Pass was quite magical with harbor seals scattered on the low tide rocks. We saw a common loon near Pear Pt. The flood current was running so we kept to Griffin Bay spotting common murres, rhinoceros auklets and harbor porpoise. As we neared Cattle Pt our passenger spotted an orca in the fog on the other side of the channel. We met the orcas, the T75B’s, hunting just north of Shark Reef. After finishing their meal they continued north quickly and we sailed wing on wing some distance behind up the Lopez coastline. At Upright Channel they veered to the west at speed where we saw them again near Reid Rock. We left them at Pt Caution continuing north to sail across to Parks Bay where we found a bald eagle. Enjoyed some of the Shaw coastline before crossing back to Friday Harbor on the flood current.
Biggs/Transient orca T75B with newest calf T75B5
Sea mist surrounding the islands
Sea mist San Juan Channel
Harbor seals with a foggy backdrop
Harbor seals
Common loon
Harbor porpoise
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s hunting in the fog
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s hunting in the fog
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s hunting in the fog
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s spy hop in the fog
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s near Shark Reef San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s near Shark Reef San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s near Shark Reef San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s near Big Rock, San Juan Channel
Sailing wing on wing
Common murres
Rhinoceros auklet
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s outside Friday Harbor, San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s outside Friday Harbor, San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s outside Friday Harbor, San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s outside Friday Harbor, San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s outside Friday Harbor, San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s outside Friday Harbor, San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s outside Friday Harbor, San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s outside Friday Harbor, San Juan Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s northbound Pt Caution
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s northbound Pt Caution
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s northbound Pt Caution
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s northbound Pt Caution
Route map 9/5/25