Granny, Spieden And Skana On 6/2/13

J pod along with the L12s/L22s swam up and down the the West side of San Juan Island all morning on 6/2/13, but around noon, they all decided to head North for the Fraser River in Canada. The San Juan Excursions boat I work on called the "Odyssey", met up with the orcas at Henry Island as they aimed for Canada.

In the lead was Shachi J19, born in 1979 and her daughter Eclipse, born in 2005, as well as Samish J14, born in 1974, with her children and grandchild. Behind them were Granny J2, estimated to have been born in 1911, and Spieden J8, estimated to have been born in 1933. Further back was the rest of J pod and the further behind them were the L12s/L22s.

Granny J2.

Spieden J8.

We spent most of the trip with these two elder females of J pod. At one point, Spieden tail slapped. Off in the distance the rest of J pod socialized and occasionally porpoised along.

Polaris J28, born in 1993, porpoises North.

Polaris J28, born in 1993, porpoises North.

The orcas took us from Henry Island to Stuart Island and as we were leaving to head back to the dock, Skana L79, the only L12/ L22 member we saw during the trip, popped up next to us!

Skana L79, born in 1989.

Skana's mother is Spirit L22, estimated to have been born in 1971. His has one living sibling, a younger brother named Solstice L89, who was born in 1993. Skana also has one living grand cousin named Mystery L85, who was born in 1991 and Onyx L87, born in 1992 (who travels with Granny and Spieden after he lost his mother in 2005) is his uncle.

It was great to see this big guy again, as well as spending time with Granny and Spieden. Just another awesome day out on the water!

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