On the morning of the 18th, reports of the Resident orcas came in from everywhere. Some where at False Bay at San Juan Island, others were coming down from Saturna Island, and more were coming down Rosario Strait. By the afternoon, everyone was at San Juan Island except the Rosario Strait group. Aboard the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions, we caught up with the Rosario group, which was the J17's, J22's, Opus K16, Cappuccino K21, and Sonata K35, who had made it to Iceberg Point, off of Lopez Island. A J17 member named Star J46 (born in 2009) was incredibly active during our encounter as she back dived, tails slapped, and spy hopped multiple times while traveling with her mother Polaris J28 (born in 1993), and a J22 member named Rhapsody J32 (born in 1996). It wasn't long before our orcas met up with the other J's, K's, and L's at San Juan Island. We watched the L4's and L47's for a bit as they rested and foraged before we made our way back to the dock.
Star J46 back dives!
Star peeks above the surface in an aerial scan!
Star tail slaps!
Polaris J28 peeks above the surface next to Rhapsody J32.
Cappuccino K21, born in 1986.
Sonata K35, born in 2002. He has already started sprouting!
The water and weather conditions were perfect during our time with the orcas and it has been so great to see J, K, and L pod nearly every day recently! Hopefully there is enough Chinook salmon around for them to keep doing what they're doing!
Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
