While I am at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, I often do not get to see any transient orcas that are reported in the area, due to class or them being just out of reach. However, on the evening of May 7th some friends and I were able to head out to the tip of Cooper Point to watch the T065A matriline exit Eld Inlet from shore. Thanks to reports on Orca Network's Facebook page we knew they were there. They had actually been in the same inlet that morning, as well as the day prior, searching for marine mammals to eat.
The T065A matriline is made up of T065A (the matriarch, born in 1986), and her four offspring, T065A2 (sprouter male, born in 2004), T065A3 (born in 2007), T065A4 (born in 2011), and T065A5 (born in 2014). The five of them were making their way out of the inlet at a medium pace, with a few surfacings followed by a deep dive that would last a few minutes. At one point, one of the kids did a funky tail slap that created a good splash, but other than that the orcas were in travel mode. They were aiming for Squaxin Island as they slowly disappeared from view, their loud exhales still audible. It was so great to hear that sound again, I have missed it.
I had not seen the T065As for quite some time so it was awesome to see them again, even if it was from a distance. It is obvious now that T065A2 is sprouting and growing fast! We could not have asked for better weather and water conditions to watch these guys in either. Blue skies, a warm, gentle breeze, and the water was flat and quiet, great for listening to their blows.
The T065A matriline is made up of T065A (the matriarch, born in 1986), and her four offspring, T065A2 (sprouter male, born in 2004), T065A3 (born in 2007), T065A4 (born in 2011), and T065A5 (born in 2014). The five of them were making their way out of the inlet at a medium pace, with a few surfacings followed by a deep dive that would last a few minutes. At one point, one of the kids did a funky tail slap that created a good splash, but other than that the orcas were in travel mode. They were aiming for Squaxin Island as they slowly disappeared from view, their loud exhales still audible. It was so great to hear that sound again, I have missed it.
I had not seen the T065As for quite some time so it was awesome to see them again, even if it was from a distance. It is obvious now that T065A2 is sprouting and growing fast! We could not have asked for better weather and water conditions to watch these guys in either. Blue skies, a warm, gentle breeze, and the water was flat and quiet, great for listening to their blows.
T065A (left) surfaces with one of her offspring in Eld Inlet.
It won't be long now before I am back home on San Juan Island for the summer so stay tuned for many more orca encounters to come.
Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask :)
Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask :)
