The morning of the 29th was incredibly confusing orca report wise. Orcas were seen up in Deer Harbor at Orcas Island and others (or the same individuals) were spotted in San Juan Channel later on in the day. The San Juan Channel orcas first headed North, then South towards Friday Harbor, then North again towards Spieden Island. It sounded to me like these were a small group Transient orcas hunting for marine mammals, so some friends and I headed out to try to find them and see who they were.
We left Snug Harbor on San Juan Island and headed for Spieden Channel. As we exited Spieden Channel and entered San Juan Channel the water became very choppy, due to some wind and tidal exchange. However, through the waves I could see the mist from blows up ahead of us towards Jones Island. We aimed the boat in that direction for awhile but did not see the orcas until one of my friends spotted a group behind us. As I watched the group and clicked my camera away, I was surprised to see that it was a pretty large group and that there were lots of males. Then, we saw more orcas, including even more males, trailing behind our group. This was looking less like Transient orcas and more like Residents. Though multiple Transient orca matrilines can come together and form a superpod, it is not too common. I soon identified the males as Mike J26, Blackberry J27, Doublestuf J34, Cappuccino K21, Scoter K25, Lobo K26, Tika K33, Sonata K35, and Onyx L87. It was J and K pod, not a superpod of Transient orcas! And they were traveling in San Juan Channel and just about to enter Spieden Channel, an occasional path of travel for them, but one I have only seen them take about three times!
The big leading group was made up of all of J pod, the K12's, K16's, and Onyx L87. The trailing group was made up of the K13's and K14's. Once they were in Spieden Channel the leaders stalled and seemed indecisive on where they wanted to go, while the K13's and K14's continued toward Battleship Island, but not without a few spy hops first. After a bit of milling, logging, socializing, and direction changes, the large group decided to also continue through the channel, but aimed in a resting line like fashion for Sentinel Island. Soon after, they split into two groups, one made up of J14's, J16's, J19's, and Onyx L87, while the other consisted of the J11's, J17's, J22's, K12's, and K16's. Once they made it to Sentinel Rock, they regrouped, spy hopped a few times, formed a rough line, and aimed for Battleship Island.
We left Snug Harbor on San Juan Island and headed for Spieden Channel. As we exited Spieden Channel and entered San Juan Channel the water became very choppy, due to some wind and tidal exchange. However, through the waves I could see the mist from blows up ahead of us towards Jones Island. We aimed the boat in that direction for awhile but did not see the orcas until one of my friends spotted a group behind us. As I watched the group and clicked my camera away, I was surprised to see that it was a pretty large group and that there were lots of males. Then, we saw more orcas, including even more males, trailing behind our group. This was looking less like Transient orcas and more like Residents. Though multiple Transient orca matrilines can come together and form a superpod, it is not too common. I soon identified the males as Mike J26, Blackberry J27, Doublestuf J34, Cappuccino K21, Scoter K25, Lobo K26, Tika K33, Sonata K35, and Onyx L87. It was J and K pod, not a superpod of Transient orcas! And they were traveling in San Juan Channel and just about to enter Spieden Channel, an occasional path of travel for them, but one I have only seen them take about three times!
The big leading group was made up of all of J pod, the K12's, K16's, and Onyx L87. The trailing group was made up of the K13's and K14's. Once they were in Spieden Channel the leaders stalled and seemed indecisive on where they wanted to go, while the K13's and K14's continued toward Battleship Island, but not without a few spy hops first. After a bit of milling, logging, socializing, and direction changes, the large group decided to also continue through the channel, but aimed in a resting line like fashion for Sentinel Island. Soon after, they split into two groups, one made up of J14's, J16's, J19's, and Onyx L87, while the other consisted of the J11's, J17's, J22's, K12's, and K16's. Once they made it to Sentinel Rock, they regrouped, spy hopped a few times, formed a rough line, and aimed for Battleship Island.
Doublestuf J34, born in 1998.
Adult male Blackberry J27 with his sister Tsuchi J31 (left), and two K pod females named Opus K16, and Sekiu K22.
Tika K33, Moby J44, Princess Angeline J17, Cappuccino K21, Sonata K35, Opus K16 and others.
We left the big group and relocated the K13's and K14's, who were now off near Stuart Island. However, they soon turned back around and joined back up with the larger group, who had also turned around and was now at Danger Shoal.
Cali K34, born in 2001, and his brother Scoter K25, born in 1991.
Suddenly there was a explosion of activity! All the orcas lunged out of the water together, constantly changed direction, and made big splashes. It was like an orca version of a mosh pit. It almost looked like they were all chasing a school of salmon, but I don't think this was the case. When the orcas have been separated from each other for a bit, they will sometimes do what is called a greeting ceremony. It is a complex ritual, during which the pods reunite with each other and celebrate. I think that they also take part in a departing ceremony occasionally, though it seems less organized at times. The mosh pit could have been one of their departing ceremonies because as soon as it was over, J pod literally vanished. K pod slowly turned towards Henry Island and swam down the West side of San Juan Island as the sun set. They were in Puget Sound the next day.
Lobo K26, Cappuccino K21, and the rest of K pod swims past Henry Island.
By the end of the day we had seen all the members of J and K pod, as well as Onyx L87, which means that we saw a total of forty five orcas. This was an extraordinary encounter, but a confusing and odd one at times too, from thinking we were looking at Transient orcas, and the location, to their social behavior, and the disappearance of J pod. My guess is that J pod headed over to Stuart Island and continued North, but I could be wrong. What a great way to end Thanksgiving break!
Please don't use my photos without my permission. Just ask :)
Note: This was the last time I saw Rhapsody J32. Her body was found a few days later on December 4th, 2014, near Comox, BC.
Please don't use my photos without my permission. Just ask :)
Note: This was the last time I saw Rhapsody J32. Her body was found a few days later on December 4th, 2014, near Comox, BC.
