Kelly | M/V Osprey| Monday, May 26th 2025 | 2pm
We took a left outside Friday harbor and were instantaneously treated to a look at a bald eagle sitting in the trees by Friday Harbor Labs. This area always seems to be a hotspot for these impressive raptors. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a nest close by, tucked away in the evergreens. We stopped for some quick looks at harbor seals lounging on the rocks next to Jones Island, always delighting us with there ever so elegant sausage bodies.
Moving up San Juan Channel and into Presidents Channel we made our way closer and closer to a reported location of 7 killer whales. This group was made up of two different families including:
T100's & T124D's
- T100 Hutchins 1970 F
- T100C Laurel 2002 M
- T100F Estrella 2014
- T124D Field 1996 F
- T124D1 Salish II 2014 ?
- T124D3 ---2021 ?
- T124D4---2024 ?
The group was spit into two distinct groups moving parallel with to each other. The only large male in the group T100C "Laurel" traveling right next to his mother T100 "Hutchins", a true mammas boy! The rest of the group was about 400 yards from Laurel and his mom. T124D's newest addition, T124D4, born just last year, was a clear standout! Their adorable tiny dorsal fin surfacing right next to mom's side. As the group gracefully made their way over the top of Patos island and into the Rosario straight, we enjoyed not only the whales but the gorgeous scenery they swam past. Pato's iconic lighthouse, sandstone honeycombing and swimming Steller sea lions all made the perfect backdrop to this memorable encounter.