I apologize that this post, and the one below it, are out of order. The 6/29/13 encounter should be before this one, and there seems to be no way to re-order them.
After L pod left the area on the morning 6/23/13, I had many great encounters with humpback and minke whales with San Juan Excursions and San Juan Island Whale & Wildlife Tours. On the evening of 6/28/13, L pod made their way back to the West side of San Juan Island and I caught a ride with San Juan Safaris as they headed out to see the orcas. The first orcas we saw were Nugget L55, born in 1977, and her family. A sprouter male from another matriline called Nigel L95 was with them too.
After L pod left the area on the morning 6/23/13, I had many great encounters with humpback and minke whales with San Juan Excursions and San Juan Island Whale & Wildlife Tours. On the evening of 6/28/13, L pod made their way back to the West side of San Juan Island and I caught a ride with San Juan Safaris as they headed out to see the orcas. The first orcas we saw were Nugget L55, born in 1977, and her family. A sprouter male from another matriline called Nigel L95 was with them too.
 Nugget's son Takoda L109, born in 2007, chin slaps. |  Nugget's son Takoda L109, born in 2007, chin slaps. |
Nugget's daughter Lapis L103, born in 2003, tail slaps.
Muncher L91, born around 1995.
Nigel L95, born in 1996.
Nugget's grandson Finn L116, born in 2010, surfacing next to his mother Kasatka L82, born in 1990.
We then headed down the West side of San Juan Island and saw Lulu L53, born in 1977, and two males named Solstice L89, born in 1993, and Mystery L85, born in 1991. We then came across cousins Cousteau L113, born in 2009 and L119, born in 2012 as they played together. L119 got especially excited and breached/backdived/belly flopped around thirty times in a row. L119 also spy hopped with her mouth open! It is very rare to see the teeth of a wild orca but her teeth look great!
 |  L119 does a half breach. |  |
 |  L119 half breaches again. |  |
L119 breaches in front of Cattle Point lighthouse at the South end of San Juan Island. The cascade mountain range can also be seen in the background.
 |  L119 does a backdive. |  |
L119 breaches.
L119 spy hops with her mouth open.
 |  L119 belly flops. |  |
L119 waves her tail flukes.
L119 (left), and Cousteau (right).
 |  L119 backdives. |  |
During this breach L119 does an above water vocalization that sounds like she is saying "weeee"!!
We left these two as they continued to play as the sun went down. I hoped they were finding enough Chinook salmon to still be in the area the next day.
