On the morning June 18th, almost all of L pod was reported inbound in Juan De Fuca Strait and headed for San Juan Island. J, K, and L pod had all been absent in the inland waters since June 11th when they would normally be around for quite a bit of June. With the Fraser River unable to support them with an adequate amount of Chinook salmon at this time, their visit would be a quick one. While I miss the southern resident orcas very much while they are away during times like this, I know that them not being here is the best thing for them. They are likely to find some food off the outer coast that can help sustain them while the Fraser River hopefully improves.
By late afternoon, Ls had made it to the west side of San Juan Island. They headed up island a little before they turned around north of Lime Kiln State Park and slowly headed down island, pushing against the incoming tide. From the park’s shoreline, I could see members of the L4, L26, L43, and L47 matrilines, and knew that the L54s were also around somewhere, likely doing their own thing. Some of the orcas were inshore, while others were offshore. Interestingly, many of them were in a breachy mood, with Kasatka L82 breaching the most out of everyone. Marina L47, Racer L72, and Finn L116 were also breaching.
By late afternoon, Ls had made it to the west side of San Juan Island. They headed up island a little before they turned around north of Lime Kiln State Park and slowly headed down island, pushing against the incoming tide. From the park’s shoreline, I could see members of the L4, L26, L43, and L47 matrilines, and knew that the L54s were also around somewhere, likely doing their own thing. Some of the orcas were inshore, while others were offshore. Interestingly, many of them were in a breachy mood, with Kasatka L82 breaching the most out of everyone. Marina L47, Racer L72, and Finn L116 were also breaching.
Kasatka L82 breaches close to shore off Lime Kiln State Park.
A little later in the afternoon, I caught back up with the Ls from a beach near my house as they slowly continued down island with some occasional milling. Kasatka L82, Finn L116, and others were still breaching and doing other above water behaviors. Many of the orcas were far offshore now, but most of the L47s, Kasatka L82, and Finn L116 were closer to shore. I watched as they disappeared into the distance and listened as their blows became inaudible. The next day, the Ls were all outbound for the open ocean in Juan De Fuca Strait. They had poked their heads in, checked out the salmon situation, and then headed back out.
L122 with his mother Muncher L91.
While the southern residents have been away, marine mammal eating transient orcas have been roaming the inland waters quite a bit, as well as an amazing amount of humpback whales. Though the inland waters have been graced by the southern residents less than usual this summer so far, these waters are not empty.
Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.
Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.
