May 14. 2026 – Sailed North with a push from the flood tide and a fairly strong Southerly wind. After passing by Yellow Island we changed tack for a fast beam reach to Spieden Channel. Came close to shore looking for back eddies to the strong flood and met humpback whale BCX1795 “Scuttle”. Reducing sail and reefing the main sail we sailed parallel as he made his way to Battleship Island and turned South. Scuttle is an eight year old male we’ve seen in the Salish Sea many times and winters South of Baja Mexico. As we came into Haro Strait winds were strong from the South so we headed towards Spieden island and enjoyed the calm waters of New Channel to drift through the Cactus Islands where we found a bald eagle sitting in its nest. With news of a second humpback the infamous ‘Big Mama’ BCY0324 heading from Center Reef towards us we doubled back. However she doubled back, too, heading into the strong winds of Haro. We rounded Spieden Island seeing the Steller sea lions, Mouflon sheep, harbor seals, a kestrel, and bald eagles. Returned via Wasp Islands on route to Friday Harbor.
