April 17, 2026 – As we left Friday Harbor there was a report of orcas southbound at Lawrence Pt on the east side of Orcas Island. Our passenger took the helm for a fast sail on the ebb down San Juan Channel and a fast run up Upright Channel. The orcas, known as the T100’s, turned towards us to come through Thatcher Pass taking a route inter-island. Near Blakely Shoal the orcas took part in a hunt which lasted about 30 minutes or so. A seal lion happened to be perched on the Blakely Shoal marker. After a presumable successful predation they continued towards East Sound, but changed course at the Orcas coastline to take Cayou Channel. There was beautiful common loon at the channel entrance as well as common mergansers. Lots of good views and we sailed through Wasp Pass on a fast flowing flood. Many rhinoceros auklets around. A fast sail again to Pt Caution before returning to Friday Harbor.
Tags: Biggs / Transient orcas T100’s, Common loon, Rhinoceros Auklet, Common Merganser, Bonaparte’s Gull, Harbor seal, Steller sea lion
