August 4, 2026 – On our earlier sail we had left Biggs/Transient orca siblings T77C (born 2006) and T77E (born 2016) northbound from Rock Pt, Lopez Island. The orcas were now in Upright Channel as we cast off and we headed that direction with the hopes to catch up to them. We kept up our good speed and the orcas slowed as they passed Upright Head and worked their way south to Frost Island where they began milling. We were excited to arrive on scene. Beautiful views of the pair of orcas. The orcas spun around and headed back in the direction they came. At one point they went very close to shore under a dock where a river otter had jumped off and into the water. Not sure what went on beneath the surface if there was some play or if they attempted to catch it. The orcas came inside of Canoe Island – not something we often see as it is quite shallow. Near Hicks Bay we observed some hunting behaviour where they appeared to catch a harbor seal. T77C did several big breaches. They continued up the Shaw Island coastline as we changed course for home under a hot pink sun.
Biggs/Transient Orcas T77C and T77E sunset sail
- Biggs/Transient Orcas T77C and T77E by Cattle Pass
- Two Minke Whales on Hein Bank (Trotsky II and Razor)