Biggs/Transient Orcas T36’s and T137A on Middle Bank

September 23, 2026 – We sailed north today with a following wind and the beginning of the flood current. However, as we arrived at Pt Caution we received a report of Biggs/Transient orcas milling on Middle Bank. So we turned and headed south cutting through Turn Island Pass where we saw 3 bald eagles (2 adults, 1 juvenile), harbor seals and a great blue heron. Keeping to the counter current on down to Cattle Pass where the cormorants nest on Goose Island and more harbor seals hauled out. Against the flood current across Salmon Bank and out to Middle Bank with wind picking up for a good sail. We met the orcas, T36’s (T36 with T36B’s) and T137A, who were finishing up foraging. They had been there more than 3 hours and looking to be eating something large – possibly a minke whale. Lots of vocals picked up on our hydrophone and lots of socializing with calves breaching and tail lobbing. They then began travelling as a tight group to the north. We left to sail close-hauled back to Cattle Pass with a pass by Whale Rocks to see the Steller sea lions. Passed Deaman Island and sailed home through Turn Island Pass.