We journeyed north around San Juan Island today, first passing Spieden Island en route to Haro Strait. Several mouflon sheep and sitka deer were feeding and resting on the hillside of Spieden Island. Somehow they can carefully traverse the cliffs just above the chilly waters. We circled exposed rocks to the southwest of the island where six harbor seals were resting. We spotted at least one pup. After we were south of Henry Island (48°35.33N, 123°12.53W) we began to see spray…the spray of four transient orcas! They were moving towards the northeast, hugging the shoreline. We believe this group included T19B. Just to the west, closer to Sydney Island (48°37.30N, 123°15.69W), we observed another group of four transients, possibly T60s, milling and then moving to the northeast. Upon our return to Friday Harbor, we encountered two bald eagles sitting together at the very top of a tree on the north side of Spieden Island. The appeared to be watching the surface waters for their next meal. Calm day on the water with so many things to see!
SJS Naturalist Jenny