On the morning of the 11th, I woke up to see orcas heading North outside my window. Curious to see who they were and to get some ID shots for the Center for Whale Research, I headed to some cliffs overlooking the water near my house for a close orca encounter from shore. First to pass by me was matriarch Granny J2, the oldest known orca in the world. She was in lead per usual. Next was Hy'shqa J37, Muncher L91, Shachi J19, and Eclipse J41. Further offshore I could see a few others, including Rainshadow K37. Then came Ophelia L27, which meant that the new baby was nearby. Soon, Surprise L86, newborn L120, Pooka L106, and Suttles J40 swam past. It was just about time for me to head out on the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions so I quickly collected a few more ID's. Last to pass me was Marina L47, Mystic L115, Moonlight L83, Midnight L110, Samish J14, Se-Yi'-Chn J45, and Tika K33, but I could see a lot more orcas South and offshore of me. After I left, all the orcas turned around and headed back South.
Granny J2, born around 1911.
Sprouter male Tika K33, born in 2001.
Aboard the Odyssey, we met up with all of J and K pod, and almost all of L pod offshore of the South end of San Juan Island. We were absolutely surrounded by at least sixty five if not all seventy nine of the Southern Resident orcas. I did not see the L12's or L54's but they could have been there. Some of the orcas were in resting mode, lining up in individual matrilines to "snooze", while others socialized together.
Adult male Mike J26, born in 1991.
Adult male Scoter K25 in mid tail wave.
Newborn L120!
Ophelia L27 in mid inverted tail slap.
Ophelia L27 tail slaps.
Newborn L120!
The K14 matriline surfaces together.
During the night all three pods began to exit the area. The next day, they made it far out into the lengthy Strait of Juan De Fuca before they decided to turn around and head back for San Juan Island. They reached the island by nightfall. On the 13th, Group A of J pod (including Onyx L87) headed North for the Fraser River while K, L, and the rest of J pod hung out offshore of San Juan Island. The L12's may have been present. The next day, Group A made their way back down from the Fraser River, while everyone else exited the area through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. What will happen next??
Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
