Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask.
L pod decided to travel up and down the West side of San Juan Island all day on the 22nd, giving me multiple opportunities have close encounters with them from shore. In the morning, they quickly headed North past Lime Kiln State Park. After a little while, they turned around and swam right past again but this time they were in resting lines. Later on, I caught up with them one more time as they foraged and played together just a little South of the park. Nearly all of L pod has been around since the morning of the 19th, when everyone but the L54's (which includes Wave Walker L88 and Nyssa L84) came in. By the next day, the L12's and L22's had left, but the remaining matrilines (the L4's, L26's, L43's, and L47's) have continued to stick around. I'm so happy that J and L pod have been around so much this summer! It has been the complete opposite of last year, which is when the presence of the Southern Resident orcas in the inland waters hit an all time low. They had literally never been so scarce in the area. At the moment, the orcas do seem to be finding salmon and they look pretty plump too! Hopefully their presence will continue through the rest of the season and K pod will come in soon to join the party!
Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask.
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AuthorMelisa Pinnow grew up on San Juan Island in Washington State. She attended The Evergreen State College from 2013 to 2017, receiving a Bachelor of Science in marine biology and ornithology. She has been a certified marine naturalist at San Juan Excursions since 2010. It is her hope that sharing her orca encounters will inspire others to love and protect these magnificent creatures for generations to come. Archives
October 2018
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