Reports started early in the morning on the 11th. Resident orcas were at the South end of San Juan Island, more Resident orcas were coming down Boundary Pass aiming for the island, and even more Residents were coming down Rosario Strait. Three humpback whales were also in the mix, right off the West side of San Juan Island. Aboard the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions, we headed for the North end of the island to where all of the Resident orcas had made it to, except for the Rosario Strait bunch. As we were just about on scene with the orcas, we stumbled upon the humpbacks, who had now also made it to the North end. A mom and calf were off in the distance while another was closer to us. We watched the lone humpback for a little bit as the whale breathed, gracefully arched its back, raised its tail flukes into the air and dove, re-surfacing a few minutes later each time. We then headed off to see the orcas.
We first came upon Granny J2 (born around 1911) and her right hand man, Onyx L87 (born in 1992). The two were in the lead, followed by the J16's. Continuing on, we could see a big group of orcas just off of Sung Harbor. It the L12's, L22's, J4's J14's, J22's, and the rest of the J16's (maybe even more?) in a big cuddle puddle. Spy hops, breaches, aerial scans, pectoral fin slaps, and tail slaps occurred throughout our encounter as the orcas socialized and played together. For some reason, maybe because he was really happy about the gathering, sprouter male Doublestuf J34 (born in 1998) kept darting and circling in/around the group at high speed. He even did a half breach!
We first came upon Granny J2 (born around 1911) and her right hand man, Onyx L87 (born in 1992). The two were in the lead, followed by the J16's. Continuing on, we could see a big group of orcas just off of Sung Harbor. It the L12's, L22's, J4's J14's, J22's, and the rest of the J16's (maybe even more?) in a big cuddle puddle. Spy hops, breaches, aerial scans, pectoral fin slaps, and tail slaps occurred throughout our encounter as the orcas socialized and played together. For some reason, maybe because he was really happy about the gathering, sprouter male Doublestuf J34 (born in 1998) kept darting and circling in/around the group at high speed. He even did a half breach!
Doublestuf does his half breach while quickly darting and circling around the group.
Calypso L94, born in 1995, spy hops.
Cookie J38, born in 2003, spy hops beside Eclipse J41, born in 2005.
Cuddle puddle!
Joy L119 (the orca I named!) spy hops next to her mom, Matia L77. Joy was born in 2012.
Shachi J19 does a big aerial scan! She was born in 1979.
As we headed back for the dock, we got a call from Goldwing, another whale watching boat. They told us that there was a Pacific white sided dolphin with them. What!!? These dolphins aren't very common in our waters and we only see them a few times a season. Goldwing approached us with the dolphin riding their bow, and paralleled our boat to let the dolphin choose which bow to ride on. Soon, the dolphin was riding our bow! He/she then switched back and forth a few times between us, occasionally jumping clear out of the water and gazing up at us from underwater. What a surprise and great ending to our trip!
Pacific white sided dolphin!
What a cutie!
A few hours before sunset, I headed for Lime Kiln State Park so see which Resident orcas had left the big group and headed South. In the lead was Ocean Sun L25, an elder female born around 1928. Close behind was Matia and Joy. Then came the rest of the L12's, as well as the J22's. For awhile there, they were all porpoising clear out of the water, seemingly trying to fight the currents and flooding tide. Rhapsody J32 breached multiple times and Matia did a big belly flop. Joy has learned a few new behaviors, including some big Transient orca style full body lunges, which she practiced many times while I sat on shore. Last to swim past were the L22's.
Rhapsody breaches close to shore. She was born in 1996.
Mega L42, born in 1977, porpoises South.
Rhapsody breaches again!
Spirit L22, born around 1971, and her son Solstice L89, born in 1993.
What an extraordinary day!!
Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
