Sept 7, 2025 – Sailed north through the Wasp Islands seeing a bald eagle perched above the harbor seals at Nob Island/Shirt Tail Reef. We continued north to New Channel and hugged the north coast of Spieden Island. Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s had wrapped around Stuart Island and looked to be coming into Johns Pass, but instead turned and continued towards Skipjack Island. We drifted back through Ripple Island pass and pushed north quickly as the orcas were traveling at about 7 knots on the flood current. As we caught up we sailed alongside nicely getting some beautiful views all the way to Skipjack Island. They stopped to hunt briefly north of Waldron Island as indicated by milling, a spy hop, and gulls circling. They continued north and we enjoyed drifting near Bare Island and dozens of harbor seals before hugging the Waldron Island south coast. An osprey was on Waldron Island. Crossed to Lovers Cove and followed the Orcas Island shoreline down and returned back through the Wasp Islands to Friday Harbor.
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B with newest calf T75B5
Harbor seals hauled out on Low Island with bald eagle
Spieden Island
Harbor seals on Spieden Island
Bald eagle on Spieden Island
Bald eagle on Spieden Island Pacific Madrone tree
Harbor seals hauled out
Great blue heron with harbor seals
Biggs/Transient orca with loon flying overhead
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s
Common Murres
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B with newest calf T75B5
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B with newest calf T75B5
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B with newest calf T75B5
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B with newest calf T75B5
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B with newest calf T75B5
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s passing seals on Skipjack Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s passing Skipjack Island
Harbor seals on Skipjack Island
Orca passing Bare Island
Harbor seals on Bare Island
Harbor seals on Bare Island
Gulls and cormorants on Bare Island
Osprey on Waldron Island
Osprey on Waldron Island
Waldron Island
Close-hauled sail
Orcas Island
Bald eagle nest on Orcas Island
Great blue heron flying by
Great blue heron flying by
Pacific Madrone trees
Route map 9/7/25