Before the sunrise on the morning of 8/16/13, J, K and L pod left San Juan Island through the Strait of Juan De Fuca for the open ocean. One matriline, the L54's, turned around mid-way and made their way ever so slowly back. By the morning of the 17th, they had returned to the West side of the island. Aboard the "Odyssey" of San Juan Excursions, we watched the L54's as they foraged for Chinook salmon throughout the day, with males Wave Walker L88 and Coho L108 hanging out and fishing together off on their own.
Coho, born in 2006, surfaces next to Wave Walker, born in 1993.
That night, J, K, and the rest of L pod sneaked back into the area, so when I looked out my window in the morning (the 18th), I was confused when I saw orcas everywhere! At that point, I had not idea what pods or matrilines were around, so I walked over to the coastline nearby to try to see who was around and ended up having a close encounter with a matriline from K pod known as the K12's! I could see J and L pod members off in the distance too. Definitely another superpod!
Sekiu K22, born in 1987, tail slaps close to shore.
Sekiu with her sprouting son Tika K33, born in 2001.
Soon after, I was aboard the "Odyssey" and we headed for Eagle Point on the West side of San Juan Island where we saw orcas spread out for miles in socializing groups. The orcas we saw first were adult female Lulu L53 and sprouter male Crewser L92 traveling together. Not to far away was Surprise L86, Pooka L106 and Suttles J40, who were all doing some serious spy hopping.
Suttles, born in 2004, spy hops.
Pooka, born in 2005, spy hops above Surprise.
Then along came Ocean Sun L25, trailed by Mega L41. Ocean Sun seemed to want to catch up to a large group of J's, K's and L's off in the distance, and seemed to be telling Mega, who was swimming pretty slowly behind her, to hurry it up!
Ocean Sun, estimated to have been born in 1928, surfaces to take a breath. This elder female is thought to Lolita's mother or close relative. Lolita is a captive orca who was captured from L pod in 1970 and is that last Southern Resident orca alive in captivity. To learn more about Lolita, click this photo.
Mega, born in 1977, slowly chugs along.
Ocean Sun slaps her pectoral fin on the surface of the water to get Mega to hurry up. She then spy hopped to see if he sped up.
All three pods mingled with each other into the night and by morning all had left for the open ocean. I wonder when they will be back?
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
