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A Blast From The Past On 9/8/13

9/9/2013

3 Comments

 
Since 9/3/13, most, if not all of the members of the Southern Resident orca pods, J,K and L pod, have been around San Juan Island. To have the Southern Residents, especially a superpod gathering, here for more than one day is amazing for this season. This is what it used to be like when there was more Chinook salmon around for these orcas. Historically, they would all be in the area every day through out the summer as they dined on the once plentiful Chinook. When you saw one pod, for instance J pod, you would see all the matrilines that make up that pod traveling together. Now when we see J, K or L pod, it's usually just a one or two families hanging out together.

On this day, I got to see a blast from the past aboard the "Odyssey" of San Juan Excursions. All of L pod was together, every single matriline, every single member (36 individuals), moving as one, tightly together, in resting mode. I can't remember the last time I saw this happen because L pod has been so split up in recent years. It's not that they don't get along, they just have spread out and look for their dwindling prey.

All Orcas In L Pod
Spirit L22, F, est.1971
Ocean Sun L25, F, est.1928
Ophelia L27, F, est.1965
Mega L41, M, 1977
Marina L47, F, 1974
Lulu L53, F, 1977
Ino L54, F, 1977
Nugget L55, F, 1977
Racer L72, F, 1986
Matia L77, F, 1987

Kasatka L82, F, 1990
Moonlight L83, F, 1990
Nyssa L84, M, 1990
Mystery L85, M, 1991
Surprise L86, F, 1991

*Onyx L87, M, 1992, travels with J pod.
Wave Walker L88, M, 1993
Solstice L89, M, 1993
Ballena L90, F, 1993
Muncher L91, F, 1995
Crewser L92, M, 1995
Calypso L94, F, 1995
Nigel L95, M, 1996
Indigo L100, M, 2001
Lapis L103, F, 2003
Fluke L105, M, 2004
Pooka L106, M, 2005
Coho L108, M, 2006
Takoda L109, M, 2007
Midnight L110, M, 2007
Cousteau L113, F, 2009
Mystic L115, M, 2010
Finn L116, M, 2010
Keta L117, Unknown, 2010
Jade L118, F, 2011
L119, F, 2012
Picture
Twelve of the thirty six L pod members, the rest of them are right beneath these twelve as they surface to breathe.
Picture
From left to right: Ophelia L27, Racer L72, Crewser L92, Ballena L90, Fluke L105 and Indigo L100.
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From left to right: Lulu L53, Racer L72, Nugget L55, Crewser L92, Ballena L90, Fluke L105, Takoda L109, Moonlight L83, Midnight L110 and Wave Walker L88.
Picture
L119, L pod's youngest member, can be seen between her Mother Matia L77 and her uncle Mega L41.
During the night of 9/8/13, I believe most, if not all of L pod left for the open ocean but J and K pod were still around on 9/9/13, sticking very close to the Fraser River, as they have been for the last few days, which historically had a lot of Chinook salmon in it. I wonder if they will still be around tomorrow?

Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
3 Comments
Esther Shaffer
9/29/2013 09:11:33 am

Did I understand right that we can get a copy of pictures you took of us (as couples) on the Odyssey Sept 9?

Reply
Melisa Pinnow
9/29/2013 10:47:52 am

Yes, these photos will be sent to you by San Juan Excursions.

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10/2/2013 12:15:19 pm

To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life's path.

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    Author

    Melisa Pinnow grew up on San Juan Island in Washington State. She attended The Evergreen State College from 2013 to 2017, receiving a Bachelor of Science in marine biology and ornithology. She has been a certified marine naturalist at San Juan Excursions since 2010. It is her hope that sharing her orca encounters will inspire others to love and protect these magnificent creatures for generations to come.

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