After leaving for a few days the L12s/L22s returned with company on the night of 6/4/13. J pod was spotted off the South end of San Juan Island the next morning, as well as almost all the members of L pod. Ino L54 and Grace L2's matriline and Nyssa L84 were the only members not seen, but these whales often travel on their own, so it is not unusual to have them absent while the rest of L pod is seen.
After finally spotting the orcas swim past my house in the evening, headed North, I drove to Lime Kiln State Park to have a close encounter of the orca kind. Soon the orcas were just a few feet away from shore as they passed by the park. In front was Granny J2 and the rest of Group A of J pod. Group B and all the L pod members were further behind them.
After finally spotting the orcas swim past my house in the evening, headed North, I drove to Lime Kiln State Park to have a close encounter of the orca kind. Soon the orcas were just a few feet away from shore as they passed by the park. In front was Granny J2 and the rest of Group A of J pod. Group B and all the L pod members were further behind them.
Granny J2, estimated to have been born in 1911, surfaces close to shore.
Spieden J8, estimated to have been born in 1933.
Onyx L87, Spieden J8, Eclipse J41 and Shachi J19.
Hy'shqa J37, born in 2001, one of the youngest Southern Residents to ever have a calf.
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J49, born August 6th, 2012, surfaces next to his mother Hy'shqa.
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Samish J14, born in 1974, surfaces next to her grandmother Granny J2.
After Group A of J pod passed, Spirit L22 and her son Skana L79 made a close pass shore, followed by Mystery L85. Further offshore the L12s were grouped together and slowly headed North.
Skana L79 (left), born in 1989, with his mother Spirit L22, estimated to have been born in 1971.
Mystery L85, born in 1991. He is a cousin to Spirit.
Mega L41, born in 1977 and part of the L12 matriline, tails slaps offshore.
Suddenly everyone turned around and started to head back South at a quick pace. I waited until Group A passed by me again and then ran up to my car to see if I could view them from another beach South of Lime Kiln.
Ocean Sun L25, estimated to have been born in 1928 and associated with the L12s, turns to head back South again.
Spieden J8 passes me again, just feet away from the shoreline.
Shachi J19, born in 1979 and her daughter Eclipse J41, born in 2005.
Onyx L87, born in 1992. Onyx travels with Spieden J8 and Granny J2 after loosing his mother.
As I drove away from Lime Kiln, I should have looked back to make sure the orcas were still heading South, but I did not. Right after I left, all of the orcas turned around and headed North again. By time I found out, I had missed seeing all of the L pod members who had just come in, make a close pass by Lime Kiln State Park's shoreline. Lesson learned!
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
