The orcas were in a very active mood as they traveled together in a loose group with breaches (Scoter K25, Cali K34, Yoda K36, and Comet K38), tail slaps (Skagit K13, Scoter K25, Tika K33, Comet K38, and others), inverted tail slaps (Lobo K26, Comet K38, Kelp K42, and others), cartwheels (Comet K38 and others), pec slaps, dorsal fin slaps (Comet K38 and others), spy hops (Deadhead K27 and Ripple K44), and aerial scans (Scoter K25). Towards the end of the trip, young males Ripple K44, born in 2011, and Kelp K42, born in 2008, fooled around and Kelp K42 showed off his seasnake. On our way back to the dock, we also saw a humpback in Spieden Channel!
We also visited some of the J16s for a bit and J52 (born in March of 2015) was practicing some moves near his mother, Alki J36, and uncle Mike J26. J52 tail slapped so many times that I lost count and he also spy hopped multiple times. He even did a sort of lunge/back dive. At the end of the encounter we paralleled a rambunctious social group made up of Samish J14, Oreo J22, Polaris J28, Doublestuf J34, Hy'shqa J37, Se-Y'-Chn J45, Star J46, and Ti'lem I'nges J49. Suttles J40 did at least six half breaches, Polaris J28 cartwheeled and pec slapped, and Doublestuf J34 spy hopped so high (and fast!) that his dorsal fin made it out of the water! What an amazing trip!
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