It was the afternoon of February 9th when I got a report of orcas along the West side of San Juan Island near my house. I ran out the door with my camera to see who it was. Were they Transient orcas or the Southern Residents, and if they were the Southern Residents, was it J, K or L pod? I soon started hearing the orcas' breaths as I neared the shoreline. I scanned the water and began seeing dorsal fins, quickly identifying a male named Blackberry J27, and a female named Rhapsody, as well as other J pod members. The sight of Blackberry and Rhapsody also indicated that I was looking at Group B of J pod.
A few years ago J pod began to split into two groups, Group A and Group B.
A few years ago J pod began to split into two groups, Group A and Group B.
| Group A contains:
Onyx was born into L pod but travels with Granny and Spieden after loosing his mother, Olympia L32. To learn more about Onyx's journey to find a mother figure, read Olympia's biography here. | Group B contains:
|
These orcas are known to switch between Group A and B. |
As I sat at the beach, Rhapsody began breaching and continued to launch herself out of the water 4 or 5 more times. I then got word that Princess Angeline and her family were further up island near Lime Kiln State Park. I jumped in my car and headed to the park, but just missed them making a close pass by shore only by a few minutes. Then I got a call from a friend inviting me out on his boat to see if Group A was around, too.
 |  Rhapsody J32 breaches offshore of San Juan Island on 2/9/13. |  |
It was only a few minutes before we were on scene with the orcas. It was Princess Angeline with her children Polaris, Tahlequah, and Moby and her grandchildren Star, and Notch. Tsuchi and Oreo were there too while Doublestuf, Rhapsody, Cookie, Blackberry and Mako were off in the distance. With no sign of any Group A members it was safe to say only Group B had come to visit the island.
Polaris could be heard vocalizing as she rested at the surface with her family and a few minutes later the orcas began to head slowly north. The kids, Notch, Moby and Star then broke off from the rest of the orcas and began playing together. They tail slapped, spy hopped, wrestled and even found a jelly fish to play with. Once they found the jelly fish, they gathered around it, pushed it, and carried it around atop their heads. Moby then threw his body into the air in a beautiful breach.
Polaris could be heard vocalizing as she rested at the surface with her family and a few minutes later the orcas began to head slowly north. The kids, Notch, Moby and Star then broke off from the rest of the orcas and began playing together. They tail slapped, spy hopped, wrestled and even found a jelly fish to play with. Once they found the jelly fish, they gathered around it, pushed it, and carried it around atop their heads. Moby then threw his body into the air in a beautiful breach.
 Notch J47 tail slaps. |  Notch J47 tail slaps. |
Moby J44 and Notch J47 play together.
One of the kids carrying the jelly fish on top of his/her head.
 Moby J44 breaches off of San Juan Island. |  Moby J44 breaches off of San Juan Island. |
After the play session, the kids returned to their mothers and the orcas went into a pattern of traveling quickly for a few minutes and then pausing to socialize and play with each other.
 |  Polaris J28 and Oreo J22 traveling quickly north. |  |
Princess Angeline J17 traveling north.
After traveling from Lime Kiln State Park to Henry Island the orcas stalled out and began interacting and resting again. Tahlequah began vocalizing constantly above water and Moby found a piece of kelp which he took underwater with him before letting it shoot to the surface. One of the kids did a spy hop and a head stand, followed by another spy hop by Notch.
One of the kids spy hops while playing with family members.
 |  Notch J47 spy hops while interacting with his family. |  |
It was time to head back to the dock after an amazing encounter with Group B of J pod. As we were leaving, the orcas all began to turn around to head back down island and by morning had left the area.
Please do not use my photos without permission.
Please do not use my photos without permission.
