September 14, 2026 – After casting off we headed south on the ebb current spotting a bald eagle, a great blue heron and harbor seals who were hauled out by Shark Reef. After a few good tacks we made it to Cattle Pass in good time and headed offshore up the west side of San Juan Island. Southern Resident orcas from J pod were scattered about milling. While drift sailing we observed J26 and J27 foraging in the distance. We departed to the southeast towards Salmon Bank where we had some great views of a minke whale (nicknamed “Dent” for the notch on the leading edge of her dorsal fin). She lunged through several bait balls and we could see the bait fish leaping above the water while common murres and gulls got out of the way. Such fun. We returned via Whale Rocks to see the Steller sea lions hauled out surrounded by Brandts cormorants. At Deadman Island there were many harbor seals hauled out and a bald eagle perched in a nearby tree. A direct run back to Friday Harbor taking the narrow channel around Turn Island.
