On the morning of September 2nd, I could see a lone male orca outside my window from my house on San Juan Island. Upon peering through my binoculars, I could that the male was Onyx L87, a salmon eating Southern Resident orca. The day before, the entire Southern Resident community, J,K, and L pod (just 78 individuals), were headed slowly for San Juan Island and did not arrive until later that night. I wondered if all of them had made it to the island or if some had decided to turn back for the open ocean again. I knew Onyx wasn't alone, there had to be others. Soon, reports came in that many orcas were scattered along the West side of the island and it wasn't long before the identities of the orcas were known. From what I heard, it sounded like all of J and K pod's matrilines were in, the possible exception being K16, K21, and K35, who are pretty independent and will travel away from the rest of K pod. For L pod, it seemed like just the L12 and L54 matrilines were in.
In the afternoon, aboard the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions, we met up with the L12's (which includes the L22's), who had made it to the South end of San Juan Island. I could see all nine of the orcas spread out in our vicinity as they traveled towards Salmon Bank. Joy L119, the young female I was lucky enough to name last summer, approached the boat with her mother Matia L77 and the two wouldn't leave us alone! Joy was being her usual active self and for our entire encounter with the two, she pectoral fin slapped, tail slapped, tail waved and even did one big spy hop.
In the afternoon, aboard the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions, we met up with the L12's (which includes the L22's), who had made it to the South end of San Juan Island. I could see all nine of the orcas spread out in our vicinity as they traveled towards Salmon Bank. Joy L119, the young female I was lucky enough to name last summer, approached the boat with her mother Matia L77 and the two wouldn't leave us alone! Joy was being her usual active self and for our entire encounter with the two, she pectoral fin slapped, tail slapped, tail waved and even did one big spy hop.
Mega L41, born in 1977. He is the oldest male in the Southern Resident community.
Joy L119 in mid tail wave. She was born in 2012.
One of the many tail slaps from Joy.
One of the many pectoral fin slaps from Joy.
As low, dark clouds gathered over us, thick rain began to pour and the booms of thunder began. Then, reports of more orcas reached us. Not to far away, marine mammal eating Transient orcas had been found. Surprise! We said goodbye to Joy and Matia and saw Mega chasing a salmon off in the distance as we departed. After we left, the L12's began to head offshore for Hein Bank. We came upon the Transient orcas near Whale Rocks as they headed for Salmon Bank. It was the T060 matriline with one or two extra orcas, one possibly being a female known as T002B. Once we started watching them, the rain stopped, the sky began to clear up and a double rainbow formed. The orcas zig zagged on over to Salmon Bank, occasionally resting at the surface. We left them once they arrived at the bank and started making our way back to the dock, amazed that we had seen both Resident and Transient orcas during the same trip! This rarely ever happens!
The T060's head for Salmon Bank, passing the Cattle Point light house on the South end of San Juan Island.
That night, J, K, the L12's and the L54's left for the open ocean through the Strait of Juan De Fuca. I wonder when they will be back?
Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
