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A Mix Of J, K, And L Pod On 8/24/15

8/29/2015

On August 24th, the Center for Whale Researcher’s Dave Ellifrit and I headed out on the water under permit to have an encounter with members of J, K, and L pod. We found the K12s, K13s, Opus K16, and Sonata K35 first as they headed North off of North Kellet Bluff in a tight group. Opus K16 and Sonata K35 then dropped back behind the other orcas and we lost track of them. We stayed with the K12s and K13s for a bit until they were about a mile away from Stuart Island before we moved back South and found Cappuccino K21 by himself as he headed North off of Battleship Island.

We then headed down the shoreline of San Juan Island and passed by Doublestuf J34, Crewser L92, Fluke L105, and a few other orcas near Hannah Heights in our search for the L12s and L54s that were reported further South. Soon, we spotted Wave Walker L88 foraging for and chasing salmon off of Pile Point as he made his way South. We found Spirit L22, Solstice L89, Calypso L94, and L121 heading South off of False Bay next and L121 traveled in Spirit L22's slip stream for a short time before heading back to his mother. At one point, as Calypso L94 and L121 dove near the bow, we heard a clear L pod vocalization through the hull of the boat! Joy L119 then appeared and so did Tahlequah J35, Notch J47, Matia L77, Nyssa L84, Wave Walker L88, and Coho L108 soon after.

The water then started to get a bit choppy with 2-3 foot seas but we continued on and found Mystery L85 and Ballena L90 flirting with each other North of Eagle Cove. Mystery L85 belly flopped three times, half breached once, and pectoral fin slapped, while Ballena L90 tailed slapped twice and belly flopped once. We then found Ino L54, Nyssa L84, Crewser L92, and Keta L117 nearby. Ino L54 cartwheeled once and breached three times, while Keta L117 tail slapped and belly flopped a few times.

Ino L54 breaches. She was born in 1977. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.

Further offshore in the sloppy seas we spotted a few small social groups. These groups contained Oreo J22, Doublestuf J34, Tahelquah J35, Notch J47, Spirit L22, Ocean Sun L25, Mega L41, Matia L77, Wave Walker L88, Calypso L94, Fluke L105, Coho L108, Cousteau L113, and Joy L119 and they would frequently split up, change members, and mill about. They were very tactile with lots of pushing and carrying, as well as rolling around, splashing, aerial scans, tail slaps, and there were even some above water vocalizations!

Coho L108, Matia L77, and Spirit L22 being social. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.

After hanging out with the social groups for a bit, we aimed back inshore and found Ino L54, Nyssa L84, Wave Walker L88, and Keta L117 again as they slowly moved back inshore towards False Bay in a tight group. Then, on the way back to the dock, we briefly encountered the J16s off the South end of Kellett Bluff as they headed South. Mike J26 was foraging by himself offshore while the rest of the family (Slick J16, Alki J36, Echo J42, J50, and J52) moved in towards Open Bay.

I am pleasantly surprised that the L54s stuck around another day and happy that they can be spending some time with J, K, and the rest of L pod. What will happen next?

Please do not use these photos without permission. Just ask.

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The L54s return! 8/22/15 And 8/23/15

8/27/2015

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Out on the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions on 8/22/15, we headed up to Boundary Pass to see members of L pod as they headed North for the Fraser River in their search for Chinook/King salmon. All of J and K pod was also around but was already way ahead of the Ls and well into Georgia Strait. We got on scene with the Ls just before Java Rocks off of Saturna Island and left them in Narvaez Bay.

The orcas were slightly spread out along the shoreline and in a very active/playful mood. As we got closer, somebody new caught my eye. I waited for him to surface again to confirm his identity. It was Wave Walker L88, an adult male who travels with the L54s!! Inshore of him, Ino L54 surfaced. They had finally returned!! This was the L54s first known visit further into the inland waters besides the few times they had seen out near Sooke in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The L54 matriline is made up Ino L54 and her two offspring: son Coho L108, and Keta L117, whose sex is still unknown. After becoming the last living members of their own families, adult males Nyssa L84 and Wave Walker L88 seemingly found a mother figure in Ino L54 and both travel with her and her kids.

The orcas, seemingly celebrating the L54s arrival, erupted from the water with tons of breaches (Marina L47?, Keta L117, and others), back dives (Nyssa L84 and others), belly flops (Muncher L91), pec slaps (Keta L117 and many others), tail slaps (Ino L54, Nugget L55, Nyssa L84, Wave Walker L88, Coho L108, Finn L116, Keta L117, and others), inverted tail slaps (Moonlight L83, Nyssa L84, Wave Walker L88, and others), dorsal fin slaps, cartwheels (Kasatka L82, Nyssa L84, Coho L108, and others), spy hops, and kelpings (Nugget L55, Wave Walker L88, and others). Of course, my camera decided it was the perfect time to start malfunctioning while this was all happening so I missed much of the action.

Towards the end of the encounter, both Nyssa L84 and Wave Walker L88 chose to come over towards the Odyssey and gave us some great looks. It was so nice to see almost all of L pod together (we were just missing the L12s) and in such an active mood. I miss seeing the pods traveling as a whole, not splitting up and fragmenting like they do now. Maybe in time, and with more Chinook/King salmon to eat, their society can be repaired.

Adult male Wave Walker L88 tail slaps next to Nyssa L84, Keta L117, and Ino L54.

Wave Walker L88, born in 1993.

Aboard the Odyssey the next day, we were able to see Nyssa L84 and Wave Walker L88 again. All of J, K, and L pod (minus the L12s) were spread out and headed quickly down Haro Strait from Stuart Island towards Henry Island. We caught up with a group that was made up of the J14s, Lobo K26, Tika K33, the L47s, Kasatka L82, Nyssa L84, Wave Wallker L88, Crewser L92, and Finn L116. Midnight L110 breached along the way. Once the group got to Kellet Bluff at Henry Island, they slowed down and foraged for salmon for a bit. The orcas then moved on to Open Bay and Nyssa L84 and Wave Walker L88 both got flirtatious with the ladies there! We left the J, K, and L pod members in Open Bay as they continued South for San Juan Island.

Midnight L110 breaches, his old mouth injury visible. He was born in 2007.

I am so happy that L54s finally returned to the area! I hope they can stick around for a while and socialize with the rest of the Southern Residents.

Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.

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Js, Ks, And Ls On 8/10/15 And 8/12/15

8/21/2015

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Out on the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions on 8/10/15, we headed over to Rosario Strait to see J, K, and some of L pod as they were coming down the strait. J pod and the K14s ended up turning around and heading back North while the K13s, L4s, L26s, L43s, and L47s continued toward us. The K12s, K16s, and Cappuccino K21 were also North near J pod and the K14s but they eventually turned around and made their way down Rosario later on.

The orcas were very spread out across the strait as they trickled down and we saw the K13s first. While we were watching them, some Ls passed us so we soon caught up with them and they were Crewser L92, Racer L72, and Fluke L105. These three then slowed down a little and Racer L72 milled about momentarily. She then spy hopped and Spock K20 followed with a slow spy hop of her own nearby as the K13s passed us again. Back behind us a little and further across the strait were the L4s, L47s, and Nigel L95. Racer L72 then spy hopped again and all the orcas began angling for Thatcher Pass instead of down the middle of Rosario.

Racer L72 with her awesome saddle patch. She was born in 1986.

Spock K20 spy hops. She was also born in 1986.

The orcas got pretty active as they made their way over to the pass, from tail slaps, inverted tail slaps, and dorsal fin slaps to breaches and backdives. They seemed to be very excited and the closer they got to the pass, the faster they swam. Once at the entrance though, it seemed like they were a little unsure if they wanted to go in. They slowed up and there was some direction changes. I thought they were going to change their minds and keep going down Rosario but suddenly there were already orcas out the other side of Thatcher and headed towards Lopez Island! The rest of the orcas followed close behind, many of them porpoising. At one point, Deadhead K27, Surprise L86, and maybe Muncher L91 did a triple spy hop while still in the pass!

One of the L4s or L47s porpoises through Thatcher Pass.

Once everyone was out the other side of Thatcher, there was some more excited porpoising, splashing, and a few belly flops. Scoter K25 may have also chased a salmon. We left the orcas aiming towards the Lopez Island ferry dock. After we were gone, they turned and went up towards Peavine Pass and Olga at Orcas Island. They then turned back around and went down Upright and San Juan Channel and exited through Cattle Pass between Lopez Island and San Juan Island into Haro Strait. The next day, J pod and the K14s came down Boundary Pass and made it to San Juan Island that evening while the K12s, K13s, K16s, Cappuccino K21, and the Ls were exited the area through the Strait of Juan De Fuca.

On 8/12/15, all of the Southern Resident orcas, except for the L12s and L54s, were back around San Juan Island and I headed out with some friends to see them. We found a tail slapping Granny J2 in the lead as the orcas headed North past Andrews Bay along San Juan Island. Behind Granny was the rest of her family: her granddaughter Samish J14, great grandchildren Hy’shqa J37, Suttles J40, and Se-Yi’-Chn J45, and great great grandson Ti’lem I’nges J49. We let them pass us and then started heading slowly South to find more Northbound orcas. We then spotted Onyx L87 offshore of us. He was pointed North at first like the others had been but he soon turned around and headed slowly South with a tail slap. Inshore, Granny and her family had also turned around and were headed South quickly.

We moved further South and saw Blackberry J27 and Mako J39, with the K14s offshore of them near Hannah Heights. These orcas were also headed South at a good speed but Granny J2, her family, and Onyx L87 soon caught up with them and they all joined sleepy social groups spread out and milling off of Pile Point and False Bay. As we neared the first social group, Scoter K25 spy hopped offshore of us and gave a few tail slaps as he headed inshore. Crewser L92 was right behind him and also joined the social groups. Membership of these social groups often changed as some orcas would split off and new orcas would join.

Scoter K25, born in 1991, tail slaps.

The first social group was made up of Sequim K12, Skagit K13, Deadhead K27, Cali K34, Saturna K43, Ripple K44, Kasatka L82, Surprise L86, Nigel L95, and Lapis L103. They would all log at the surface together on and off and between the logging sessions they would roll around and socialize. Kasatka L82 also spy hopped and there were some above water vocalizations at times. Inshore of the group was Marina L47 and her son Mystic L115 and they logged together at the surface. Sonata K35 and Finn L116 were also nearby, showing off their sea snakes to each other. Granny J2 then swam straight through the social group, aiming South. Many of the orcas turned and followed right after her, like Moby J44, Sonata K35, Kasatka L82, Onyx L87, Finn L116, while others turned and paralleled her path of travel inshore, which were members of the big social group, some of the J17s, Tsuchi J31, Samish J14, Se-Yi'-Chn J45, and Crewser L92. These inshore orcas kept on socializing with each other as they traveled and were very tactile and splashy.

Granny J2 in evening light. She was born around 1911.

Sprouter male Nigel L95, born in 1996.

The last orcas to pass us as they brought up the rear were Shachi J19, Hy'shqa J37, Suttles J40, Eclipse J41, Ti'lem I'nges J49, J51, Cappuccino K21, and Scoter K25. Way inshore, Spock K20 and Lobo K26 were swimming side by side together, and there were a few more individuals way off to the South that we did not get to. We left the orcas as they continued South. There were multiples cartwheels, breaches, spy hops, and other above water behaviors as they traveled.

Since the 12th, and as of this posting on the 21st, at least some of the Resident orcas, if not almost everyone (minus the L12s and of course, the L54s) has been in the area each day. I wonder if and when the L54s will visit San Juan Island? Time will tell.

Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.

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J And K Pod On 8/6/15

8/14/2015

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On August 6th, the Center for Whale Researcher’s Dave Ellifrit and I headed out on the water under permit to have an encounter with J and K pod and to see if we could find Mako J39. He had been photographed with fishing gear in his mouth a few days prior and we wanted to see if he still had the gear in his mouth. We found our first orcas, Skagit K13, Lobo K26, and Sonata K35, a few miles Southwest of Eagle Point. Lobo K26 then split off and headed inshore to socialize with other orcas while Sonata K35 and Skagit K13 stayed together, with Sonata K35 being very flirtatious and showing off his sea snake to her.

We then headed inshore were there were two large social groups and a few smaller ones scattered around. The first large group was made up of at least Mike J26, Polaris J28, Star J46, Lea K14, Spock K20, Lobo K26 (who then left for another group again), Deadhead K27, Yoda K36, Rainshadow K37, Comet K38, and Onyx L87. We scanned the other large group for Mako J39 but did not see him. Some orcas in this other large group were Alki J36, Hy’shqa J37, Eclipse J41, J51, J52, and Opus K16.

We checked another nearby group and found Granny J2, Oreo J22, Sequim K12, and Saturna K43 (who was full of tail slaps), with Doublestuf J34 and Lobo K26 having bro time a little further offshore of them. No Mako J39 so off we went to check out other groups. Instead of milling about, pretty much everybody was Northbound in their groups now. We found members from both of the previous large groups we had seen already again, as well as a few orcas we had not seen yet. At one point, Hy’shqa J37 lifted her head out of the water and balanced a small strand of kelp on top of her rostrum. Tsuchi J31, Mako J39’s sister, was nearby with Shachi J19, Skagit K13, Spock K20, and Comet K38. Tsuchi J31 and Comet K38 tail slapped multiple times and Spock K20 breached once.

After checking a few more social groups, one being made up of Mike J26, Lobo K26, and Rainshadow K37 having bro time, we headed far offshore to look for Mako J39 and finally found him with Cappuccino K21 traveling North. Blackberry J27, Mako’s older brother, was paralleling them further offshore. Mako J39 breached once, which let us get a good look at his mouth and see that there was no fishing gear hanging from it. He then left Cappuccino K21 and began to forage/zigzag around a couple of miles off of False Bay.

While still trying to get shots of Mako J39, we found Slick J16, Echo J42, and J50 as they traveled slowly North. We then saw Mike J26 and Rainshadow K37 rolling around together. While waiting for them to come back up from a deep dive, I could hear whistles that sounded like they were very close and was confused on whether it was coming from a nearby whale watching boat's hydrophone. I then looked to my left and Rainshadow K37’s face was just below the water next to the boat and I understood then that he was the one whistling! He and Mike J26 then surfaced right off the now and continued goofing off. We then went back to Mako J39 and tried to get a few more shots of him while he foraged.

J50, born in December of 2014, with her mother, Slick J16, who was born around 1972. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.

We then went inshore to a large social group that was milling right off of Pile Point. This group was made up the J14s and J19s, Polaris J28, Tahlequah J35, Alki J36, Moby J44, Star J46, Notch J47, J52, Sekiu K22, Tika K33, Moby J44, and Opus K16, with Scoter K25 and Sonata K35 milling offshore of them. Suttles J40 was tossing J51 around and most of the other orcas were in a playful mood as well with tail slaps, rolling, breaching, pectoral fin slaps, etc. Young males Moby J44, Notch J47, and Ti’lem I’nges J49 then broke off from the group to join Tika K33 and Sonata K35 and all five of them had bro time together. Most of the large group continued to mill and socialize in close to shore between Pile Point and Hannah Heights.

Moby J44 breaches. He was born in 2009. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.

We then saw Shachi J19, Tsuchi J31, Cappuccino K21, and a few others coming back towards us from the North and they joined the large milling group. There was more rolling, socializing, spy peeps, tail slaps, and logging at the surface. Some of the orcas were even making above water vocalizations! We then headed back offshore and found Sequim K12 and Saturna K43 again, heading slowly north. Not far away from them was Mike J26, Mako J39, Skagit K13, and Rainshadow K37. Mike J26 was flirting with Skagit K13, who tail slapped many times and pectoral fin slapped. Mako J39 and Rainshadow K37 then soon ditched the other two and swam off to wrestle around. The two young males were active with splashes, tail slaps, rolling, and breaches. They eventually split up and we motored North to find more orcas.

Skagit K13, born around 1972, tail slaps as Mike J26 (dorsal tip) and Mako J39 dive. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.

Just south of Bellevue Point, we found the K13s and Yoda K36 heading slowly North. A little behind them were all of the K12s, who were also moving North but faster than the K13s. There was another large group further North of them in Andrews Bay so we headed up to that group. It was the J22s, Hy’shqa J37, Ti’lem I’nges J49, and the rest of the K14s besides Yoda K36. The K12s had also caught up to them and were now close by. We ended our encounter as the orcas headed North off the South end of Mitchell Bay.

The next day, some Js and Ks left the area through the Strait of Juan De Fuca while the K12s and K13s were up near the Fraser River. On the 8th, the K12s and K13s were back at San Juan Island while J, the rest of K, and almost all of L pod was inbound in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The next day, everyone except for the L54s was back in the area. The L12s remained at the island while J, K and the rest of L pod (minus the L12s and L54s) headed North.

Please do not use these photos without permission. Just ask.

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Js, Ks, And Ls On 8/2/15

8/6/2015

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On the evening of July 27th, J and K pod (minus the K16s and Cappuccino K21) returned to San Juan Island. The next day, both pods were still at the island and spent most of their day foraging for Chinook/King salmon. On the 29th, Group A of J pod (minus the J16s), the K13s, and the K14s headed North for the Fraser River while Group B of J pod (including the J16s) and the K12s stayed at the island. On the 30th, Group B and the K12s were still at the island while Group A, the K13s, and the K12s came down Rosario Strait. While the K13s headed over to San Juan Island, Group A and the K12s turned around and went back up Rosario. The next day, the K13s headed North and met up with Group A and the K12s who were coming down Boundary Pass. Group B and the K12s were out near Trial Island in the Strait of Juan De Fuca that morning but were back at San Juan Island by the afternoon. On the morning of August 1st, J and K pod (still minus the K16s and Cappuccino K21) were out at Constance Bank in the Strait Juan De Fuca but it was't long before they were back at the island. Group A of J pod (minus the J16s), the K13s, and the K14s then headed North for the Fraser River, while Group B of J pod (including the J16s) and the K12s remained at the island.

The next day (August 2nd) brought surprises. That morning, I went out to cliffs near my house and was happy to see that the L12s had returned to the island. They were moving South with Hy'shqa J37, Ti'lem I'nges J49, Spock K20, Rainshadow K37, and Comet K38 towards many more orcas that were spread out to the South of me in a very active and celebratory mood. I waited patiently until they all headed back North later in the day and went back out to the cliffs again once they were swimming past.

The orcas were spread out in lots of social groups and it soon became clear that other L pod members besides the L12s had returned to the island. When I arrived at the cliffs, Moonlight L83, Muncher L91, and Midnight L110 (from the L47s) were milling around close to shore, while Surprise L86 and Pooka L106 (from the L4s) were offshore. Pooka L106 tailed slapped multiple times and Surprise L86 did an inverted tail slap. Both of them spent a lot of time logging at the surface too, seemingly waiting for the other orcas to catch up with them. To the South of me, I could see Marina L47 and Mystic L115 milling about and many more orcas headed towards me.

The L47s, Surprise L86, and Pooka L106 then started to all merge offshore and milled about. Sprouter males Tika K33 and Nigel L95 (from the L43s) joined them and there was lots of rolling, spy hopping, pectoral fin slapping, and socializing from the group. Another group made it's way past that group and came in close to shore as they headed North. This group was made up of Granny J2, Princess Angeline J17, Oreo J22, Doublestuf J34, Cookie J38, and Moby J44. Sprouter male Doublestuf J34 was full of tail slaps and also played with some kelp multiple times. The group passed by me once and then they came back! This is when everyone, except for Doublestuf J34, started spy hopping, Princess Angeline doing so three times. Moby J44 also cartwheeled.

Granny J2, born around 1911, spy hops right off the cliffs.

Princess Angeline J17, born in 1977, spy hops.

Moby J44 cartwheels. He was born in 2009.

Oreo J22, born in 1985, spy hops. See the freckles on her eye patch?

It seemed that these orcas were also waiting for the other orcas to catch up and were curious on their whereabouts. Soon, Polaris J28 and Star J46 joined the group and they all continued North. The next group to arrive and mill about for a little bit before continuing North was made up of Shachi J19, Mike J26, Blackberry J27, Tsuchi J31, Doublestuf J34 (who had left the group he had just been with),Tahlequah J35, Alki J36, Mako J39, Eclipse J41, J51, J52, Scoter K25, Lobo K26, Ocean Sun L25, Mega L41, Onyx L87, Calypso L94, L121, and a few others. Offshore, Solstice L89, Cali K34, and many others surfaced, headed North.

From left to right: males Doublestuf J34, Blackberry J27, Mega L41, and Scoter K25.

I then headed North to Lime Kiln State Park to have another close encounter with the orcas from shore. The K14s and L4s were in the lead when I arrived and Kelp K42 did a really big belly flop! Lapis L103 and Jade L118 both tail slapped on their way past and Lapis L103 also did a dorsal fin slap and inverted tail slap. Granny J2, Slick J16, Shachi J19, Oreo J22, Mike J26, Blackberry J27, Tsuchi J31, Doublestuf J34, Alki J36, Cookie J38, Eclipse J41, J50, J51, J52, and a few others were close behind. Oreo J22 spy hopped again and little J50 breached.

Kelp K42 is mid belly flop. He was born in 2008.

There were lots of other orcas offshore. Onyx L87, and then Mako J39, were next to pass by. They were followed by some of the L12s, who had Deadhead K27 and Ripple K44 with them. L121 was very active with tons of tail slaps, a few aerial scans, and general splashing around. Spirit L22 and Solstice L89 were a little behind but eventually made their way past after milling a little outside of Deadman's Bay. Spirit L22 came by very close to shore and tail slapped, while Solstice L89 swam by slightly offshore. Skagit K13 and Cali K34 also passed by close to shore and the rest of the K13s were offshore. The J14s, Matia L77, Mystery L85, Nigel L95, Joy L119, and a few others were last to pass by.

L121, born in February of 2015, does an aerial scan next to mom.

Spirit L22 surfaces close to shore. She was born around 1971.

Though all the orcas had passed the park, I stayed put because it was likely that the L12s would turn around and head back South, which they did, but very, very slowly with lots of miling. Ocean Sun L25 and Mega L41 were in the lead and Ocean Sun L25 backdived and breached as she approached the park's shoreline. She also cartwheeled later on and tail slapped a few times. Calypso L94 and L121 were next, and Calypso L94 had a tail slap in her too. Matia L77, Mystery L85, Cousteau L113, and Joy L119 brought up the rear. Matia L77 tail slapped a few times as they went by and Mystery L85 belly flopped twice. A few miles North, Spirit L22 and Solstice L89 were still pointed North but eventually met back up with the L12s that evening.

Adult male Mystery L85 in mid belly flop. He was born in 1991.

On the 3rd, I was surprised to find the L12s off of the cliffs near my house again. They had actually spent the night and hadn't left the island as soon as they had come in like all of their other previous visits this season so far! That afternoon, J pod and the K14s came back down from their trip up North and met back up with the L12s a little South of Eagle Point. A party ensued with many tail slaps (especially from Granny J2), spy hops (two of them being from Granny J2), breaches (one from Spirit L22), belly flops, backdives, dorsal fin slaps (Cousteau L113), cartwheels, aerial scans, and more. While this was happening, other residents, who I assume were at least the K12s and K13s, if not the L4s, L47s, and L95, were coming down Boundary Pass and they made it to the island that evening. The next day, the residents were exiting the area through the Strait of Juan De Fuca. What will happen next??

Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.

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A Mix Of J, K, And L Pod On 8/24/15

The L54s return! 8/22/15 And 8/23/15

Js, Ks, And Ls On 8/10/15 And 8/12/15

J And K Pod On 8/6/15

Js, Ks, And Ls On 8/2/15

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