CONTACT
San Juan Orcas
  • HOME
  • ORCA ENCOUNTERS BLOG
  • IDENTIFICATION HELP
  • HELP THE ORCAS
  • LINKS

L122!!! 9/7/15

9/11/2015

0 Comments

 
On the morning of September 7th, reports came in that J, K, and L pod (the L54s may or may not have been present) were inbound at Discovery Island and that there was a new calf in L pod. Soon, the Center for Whale Researcher’s Dave Ellifrit and I were out on the water under permit to confirm the new calf. We arrived on scene off of Deadman's Bay at San Juan Island and immediately spotted the new calf, L122, tucked up next to Muncher L91. Mother and calf were milling about and Kasatka L82 and her young son Finn L116 were also foraging close by.

Muncher L91 and L122 then moved slowly North and were joined by Skagit K13, her daughter Deadhead K27, and grandson Ripple K44. The five of them then briefly porpoised North towards Bellevue Point. Muncher L91's younger brother, Mystic L115, soon joined the group and porpoised along with them while Marina L47, mother to Muncher L91 and Mystic L115 and grandmother to L122, surfaced nearby. Offshore, Scoter K25 foraged by himself. Mother and calf then split off from the group and headed offshore. Mystic L115 and Ripple K44 followed and joined them briefly again a little later. The two young males were a little rambunctious but Muncher L91 and L122 didn't seem to mind. Mystic L115 tail slapped and Ripple K44 spy hopped and then they split off to roll around with each other somewhere else. We left Muncher L91 and L122 about a mile West of Bellevue Point.
Picture
L122 with its mother, Muncher L91, who was born in 1995. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.
We found Skagit K13 and her adult son Scoter K25 next as they foraged off the Center for Whale Research. The two of them then headed South and were joined by Skagit K13's other son, Cali K34. Deadhead K27 was also nearby. Skagit K13 tail slapped a few times and we soon left the four of them still Southbound off of Bellevue Point and headed down island to see who else we could find. We passed Mike J26 off of Hannah Heights and also passed by Doubelstuf J34 and Nigel L95 as they foraged off of Kanaka Bay. We then found Tika K33 and his mother, Sekiu K22, as they slowly headed South off of False Bay.

We then aimed offshore toward Hein Bank and found super spread out orcas headed Southwest. We spotted Cappuccino K21 foraging off by himself first, then young males Notch J47 and Kelp K42 messing around together with Lea K14, Lobo K26, and Yoda K36 nearby. Further offshore, we found Matia L77, and then Samish J14, Suttles J40, Pooka L106, and Joy L119 in a social group. Adult male Solstice L89 soon joined them. Suttles J40 tail slapped and young male Pooka L106 flirted with her. We then found Blackberry J27, Mako J39, Se-Yi'-Chn J45, and Surprise L86 socializing nearby. Mako J39 tail slapped and Blackberry J27 showed off his sea snake.

We then headed over to another small group in the distance, which was made up of Shachi J19, Tsuchi J31, Eclipse J41, and J51. We then found Pooka L106 and Suttles J40 again, and Ti'lem I'nges J49 had joined them. Nearby, Princess Angeline J17, Polaris J28, Moby J44, and Star J46 surfaced together. Lobo K26 also popped up again, and so did Notch J47 and Kelp K42, with Tahlequah J35 nearby.
Picture
J51, born in February of 2015, with his mother, Eclipse J41, who born in 2005. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.
All the orcas were still very spread out and heading slowly Southwest of Hein Bank when we ended our encounter with Sequim K12, Rainshadow K37, and Saturna K43 as they milled about loosely a bit North of the other orcas. Though they had all come in that morning, all the orcas seemed like they were leaving the area again through the Strait of Juan De Fuca. What a special encounter with the new addition L122!! Hopefully we will all get to watch him/her grow up (and old!) over the coming years.

Please do not use these photos without permission first. Just ask.
0 Comments

K Pod On 9/5/15 And J Pod On 9/6/15

9/11/2015

0 Comments

 
September is still proving to be my favorite month for orca encounters. On the 4th, all of J, K and L pod was around San Juan Island but the K13s ended up heading North for the Fraser River by themselves. Aboard the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions the next day, we headed up at Turn Point on Stuart Island to see K pod (minus the K16s and Cappuccino K21). The K13s had come back down Boundary Pass and the K12s and K14s had headed up the pass to meet them. Once all three matrilines were together, they headed back South for San Juan Island and past Turn Point.

The orcas were in a very active mood as they traveled together in a loose group with breaches (Scoter K25, Cali K34, Yoda K36, and Comet K38), tail slaps (Skagit K13, Scoter K25, Tika K33, Comet K38, and others), inverted tail slaps (Lobo K26, Comet K38, Kelp K42, and others), cartwheels (Comet K38 and others), pec slaps, dorsal fin slaps (Comet K38 and others), spy hops (Deadhead K27 and Ripple K44), and aerial scans (Scoter K25). Towards the end of the trip, young males Ripple K44, born in 2011, and Kelp K42, born in 2008, fooled around and Kelp K42 showed off his seasnake. On our way back to the dock, we also saw a humpback in Spieden Channel! 
Picture
Yoda K36 breaches. She was born in 2003.
Picture
Scoter K25 in mid aerial scan. He was born in 1991.
Picture
Ripple K44 spy hops while fooling around with Kelp K42, whose tail fluke is poking out of the water to the left.
Picture
Humpback in Spieden Channel!
The next day, the Odyssey had Southern Residents again, but this time it was J pod headed down Rosario Strait. K and L pod were exiting the area through the Strait of Juan De Fuca while this was happening. When we first got on scene the orcas were all in one group, except for the J16s who were in the lead further South. The orcas were in an active and social mood with breaches (Suttles J40 and others), back dives (Doublestuf J34 and J52), tail slaps (Shachi J19, Oreo J22, Doublestuf J34, Suttles J40, Moby J44, J52, and others), inverted tail slaps (Shachi J19 and others), cartwheels (Polaris J28 and others), pec slaps (Shachi J19, Polaris J28, Suttles J40, and others), dorsal fin slaps, spy hops (Polaris J28, Doublestuf J34, Suttles J40, Moby J44, J52, and others), and aerial scans (Cookie J38). The orcas then started to fan out into different social groups and males Cookie J38, Moby J44, and Onyx L87 got to together for some bro time. Both Cookie J38 and Onyx L87 had their sea snakes parading around at one point.

We also visited some of the J16s for a bit and J52 (born in March of 2015) was practicing some moves near his mother, Alki J36, and uncle Mike J26. J52 tail slapped so many times that I lost count and he also spy hopped multiple times. He even did a sort of lunge/back dive. At the end of the encounter we paralleled a rambunctious social group made up of Samish J14, Oreo J22, Polaris J28, Doublestuf J34, Hy'shqa J37, Se-Y'-Chn J45, Star J46, and Ti'lem I'nges J49. Suttles J40 did at least six half breaches, Polaris J28 cartwheeled and pec slapped, and Doublestuf J34 spy hopped so high (and fast!) that his dorsal fin made it out of the water! What an amazing trip!
Picture
Doublestuf J34 back dives. He was born in 1998.
Picture
Suttles J40 in mid half breach. She was born in 2004.
And then, September became even more awesome with the discovery of ANOTHER new little addition to the Southern Resident community. Stay tuned!

Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.
0 Comments

Southern Residents On 8/28/15 And 9/2/15

9/5/2015

0 Comments

 
Out on the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions on August 28th, we left Friday Harbor, headed down San Juan Channel, out Cattle Pass, and up to Pile Point off the West side of the island to see all of L pod (all of J and K pod was around too but they headed North for the Fraser River again). Once we got on scene, almost everybody in L pod promptly decided to come over to the boat and surround us. There was no time to get out of the way so we sat tight and waited for them to move on. Racer L72 cartwheeled right off the stern while Marina L47, Moonlight L83, Ballena L90, Muncher L91, Crewser L92, Fluke L105, Midnight L110, and Mystic L115 passed by on the right side of the boat. On the other side, Ino L54, Nugget L55, Kasatka L82, Surprise L86, Lapis L103, Pooka L106, Keta L117, and a few others surfaced. Many of the orcas did move on and got a little active with breaches and cartwheels inshore of us, but others, like Spirit L22, Mystery L85, and Solstice L89, milled about near the boat. Nigel L95 also hung out near us for a bit as he foraged for Chinook/King salmon.
Picture
Moonlight L83, born in 1990.
Picture
Crewser L92, born in 1995.
The next day, which was incredibly stormy, J and K pod were on their way back down to San Juan Island from the Fraser River and L pod (I'm not sure if everybody in the pod was present or not) surfed the rough seas along the island. On the 30th, all of J, K, and L pod headed for San Juan from the Strait of Juan De Fuca and J and K pod ended up going North for the Fraser again while L pod stayed around the island. On the 31st, L pod was outbound in the Strait of Juan De Fuca for the open ocean.

On September 2nd, L pod (not sure if the L54s were included) returned to the island. That morning, I stood along the cliffs near my house and watched as the L4s, L47s, and Nigel L95 headed North past me, then turned around, and swam back South. It was going to be "West side shuffle" kind of day for them. As the orcas turned to head back South, Kasatka L82 breached twice, Moonlight L83 tail slapped and dorsal fin slapped multiple times, and Surprise L86 rolled over in an inverted tail slap and pectoral fin slap. Once they had all passed by and were off in the distance to the South of me, they got even more active with tons of breaches, even multiple double breaches!
Picture
Kasatka L82 breaches. She was born in 1990.
Later that day, I headed out to the cliffs again to see the L4s, L47s, and Nigel L95 as they swam by the shoreline once more. They were still in a very active/playful mood. Moonlight L83 breached, cartwheeled, pectoral fin slapped, and dorsal fin slapped multiple times. Young males Midnight L110 and Finn L116 were goofing off together and Finn L116 breached, back dived, rolled, pectoral fin slapped, and tail slapped repeatedly. Offshore of them, Jade L118 breached too.
Picture
Finn L116, born in 2010, back dives next to Midnight L110, born in 2007.
Picture
Finn L116 tail slaps.
Picture
Finn L116 breaches.
The next day (September 3rd), J and K pod finally appeared near the Fraser River after their vanishing act on the evening of the 30th when they headed North. L pod, now including the L54s but minus the L12s, who were down near Smith Island, headed North and eventually met up with J and K pod in Boundary Pass. Wow! It's been super amazing with all of the Southern Residents in the area multiple days recently. September is going to be awesome!

Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.
0 Comments

Southern Residents All Day Long On 8/26/15

9/3/2015

0 Comments

 
On August 26th, I headed over to Lime Kiln State Park on the West side of San Juan Island to see all of J and K pod, plus Onyx L87. In the lead and first to pass by the park's shoreline was Skagit K13 and her adult son Scoter K25. Soon after, more members of the K13 matriline went by: Deadhead K27 and her young son Ripple K44. Granny J2, Sequim K12, Spock K20, Rainshadow K37, and Comet K38 were next in the procession past the park and Sequim K12 breached while Granny J2 and Comet K38 tail slapped. Then the huge group came into view and it contained everybody else that made up J and K pod. This group was VERY active with tons of tail slaps, inverted tail slaps, pec slaps, dorsal fin slaps, breaches, and back dives! Some of the orcas also went into the kelp beds and playfully draped kelp over their dorsal fins. As the huge group swam by right off the rocks, I could see some of them underwater, including the J16 matriline (Slick J16, Mike J26, Alki J36, Echo J42, J50, and J52)!
Picture
Somebody back dives right off the rocks at Lime Kiln.
Picture
Here they come!
Picture
Mike J26, born in 1991, surfaces next to the kelp beds that run along the park's shoreline.
Picture
Onyx L87, born in 1992, exhales a rainbow.
Once past Lime Kiln, J and K pod continued on their way North for the Fraser River. More orcas, members of L pod, were behind them in the procession. However, they stopped right before the park at Deadman's Bay, got very active for a bit, mainly with breaches, and then headed back South. To see if it was all of L pod and thus still a superpod (as it had been the day prior) I headed South to the cliffs near my house to see the Ls as they filed past. They were pretty spread out, with some in close to shore and others way far offshore, and some were still in a active mood.

Solstice L89 arrived at the cliffs first with his mother Spirit L22 and the two of them milled back in forth for a hit and they foraged for Chinook/King salmon. Mega L41 appeared far offshore as he headed South. Calypso L94, Cousteau L113, Joy L119, and L121 came by next, with Ocean Sun L25 and Matia L77 offshore of them. Way far offshore, Crewser L92 cartwheeled. Then came Racer L72 and her son Fluke L105, with some of the L4s, L47s, and Nigel L95 (who breached and back dived a few times) offshore of them. Bringing up the rear was Mystery L85 and Ballena L90, traveling closely together like they had been on August 24th while I was out with the Center for Whale Research. The L pod members I didn't see go by the cliffs were the L54s, as well as Wave Walker L88 and Nyssa L84, who closely associate with the L54s. Had they left?
Picture
Calypso L94 with her son L121, who was born in February of 2015.
That evening I was invited out on the water with some friends and we found Nugget L55, Kasatka L82 (breached mutliple times), Lapis L103, and Finn L116 back near Lime Kiln with Nigel L95 as they slowly headed back South. We continued South and then offshore, spotting some Steller sea lions and harbor porpoises along the way, and eventually spotted the Racer L72 and Fluke L105 out near Discovery Island in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. Off closer to Discovery, Mystery L85 and Ballena L90 traveled side by side like they had been doing earlier in the day.

Another male surfaced far off in the distance ahead of us and he turned out to be Nyssa L84, which probably meant Wave Walker L88 and the L54s were still around! Way off to our left, Matia L77 surfaced and Solstice L89 popped up way ahead of us. These Ls were very spread out. We then headed over to some active individuals and they turned out to be Ocean Sun L25, Calypso L94, and L121. Mega L41 was also nearby. At one point Ocean Sun L25 swam by the boat and L121 surfaced in her slip stream a few times. After a few minutes of being babysat by Ocean Sun L15, Calypso L94 surfaced close by and L121 returned to his mother's side.
Picture
Ocean Sun L25, born around 1928, with L121 in her slip stream.
All the orcas were pointed West like they were planning on leaving the area for the open ocean. As we started to make our way towards home, we also spotted a humpback whale near Constance Bank! We watched the whale for a few surfacing before heading back to the dock. At some point that night or maybe early the next morning, the orcas decided to turn around because all of L pod was back off of San Juan Island the next day, while J and K pod was up North near the Fraser River. What an awesome cetacean filled day!

Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.
0 Comments

A Mix Of J, K, And L Pod On 8/24/15

8/29/2015

1 Comment

 
On August 24th, the Center for Whale Researcher’s Dave Ellifrit and I headed out on the water under permit to have an encounter with members of J, K, and L pod. We found the K12s, K13s, Opus K16, and Sonata K35 first as they headed North off of North Kellet Bluff in a tight group. Opus K16 and Sonata K35 then dropped back behind the other orcas and we lost track of them. We stayed with the K12s and K13s for a bit until they were about a mile away from Stuart Island before we moved back South and found Cappuccino K21 by himself as he headed North off of Battleship Island.

We then headed down the shoreline of San Juan Island and passed by Doublestuf J34, Crewser L92, Fluke L105, and a few other orcas near Hannah Heights in our search for the L12s and L54s that were reported further South. Soon, we spotted Wave Walker L88 foraging for and chasing salmon off of Pile Point as he made his way South. We found Spirit L22, Solstice L89, Calypso L94, and L121 heading South off of False Bay next and L121 traveled in Spirit L22's slip stream for a short time before heading back to his mother. At one point, as Calypso L94 and L121 dove near the bow, we heard a clear L pod vocalization through the hull of the boat! Joy L119 then appeared and so did Tahlequah J35, Notch J47, Matia L77, Nyssa L84, Wave Walker L88, and Coho L108 soon after.
The water then started to get a bit choppy with 2-3 foot seas but we continued on and found Mystery L85 and Ballena L90 flirting with each other North of Eagle Cove. Mystery L85 belly flopped three times, half breached once, and pectoral fin slapped, while Ballena L90 tailed slapped twice and belly flopped once. We then found Ino L54, Nyssa L84, Crewser L92, and Keta L117 nearby. Ino L54 cartwheeled once and breached three times, while Keta L117 tail slapped and belly flopped a few times.
Picture
Ino L54 breaches. She was born in 1977. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.
Further offshore in the sloppy seas we spotted a few small social groups. These groups contained Oreo J22, Doublestuf J34, Tahelquah J35, Notch J47, Spirit L22, Ocean Sun L25, Mega L41, Matia L77, Wave Walker L88, Calypso L94, Fluke L105, Coho L108, Cousteau L113, and Joy L119 and they would frequently split up, change members, and mill about. They were very tactile with lots of pushing and carrying, as well as rolling around, splashing, aerial scans, tail slaps, and there were even some above water vocalizations!
Picture
Coho L108, Matia L77, and Spirit L22 being social. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.
After hanging out with the social groups for a bit, we aimed back inshore and found Ino L54, Nyssa L84, Wave Walker L88, and Keta L117 again as they slowly moved back inshore towards False Bay in a tight group. Then, on the way back to the dock, we briefly encountered the J16s off the South end of Kellett Bluff as they headed South. Mike J26 was foraging by himself offshore while the rest of the family (Slick J16, Alki J36, Echo J42, J50, and J52) moved in towards Open Bay.

I am pleasantly surprised that the L54s stuck around another day and happy that they can be spending some time with J, K, and the rest of L pod. What will happen next?

Please do not use these photos without permission. Just ask.
1 Comment

The L54s return! 8/22/15 And 8/23/15

8/27/2015

0 Comments

 
Out on the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions on 8/22/15, we headed up to Boundary Pass to see members of L pod as they headed North for the Fraser River in their search for Chinook/King salmon. All of J and K pod was also around but was already way ahead of the Ls and well into Georgia Strait. We got on scene with the Ls just before Java Rocks off of Saturna Island and left them in Narvaez Bay.

The orcas were slightly spread out along the shoreline and in a very active/playful mood. As we got closer, somebody new caught my eye. I waited for him to surface again to confirm his identity. It was Wave Walker L88, an adult male who travels with the L54s!! Inshore of him, Ino L54 surfaced. They had finally returned!! This was the L54s first known visit further into the inland waters besides the few times they had seen out near Sooke in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The L54 matriline is made up Ino L54 and her two offspring: son Coho L108, and Keta L117, whose sex is still unknown. After becoming the last living members of their own families, adult males Nyssa L84 and Wave Walker L88 seemingly found a mother figure in Ino L54 and both travel with her and her kids.

The orcas, seemingly celebrating the L54s arrival, erupted from the water with tons of breaches (Marina L47?, Keta L117, and others), back dives (Nyssa L84 and others), belly flops (Muncher L91), pec slaps (Keta L117 and many others), tail slaps (Ino L54, Nugget L55, Nyssa L84, Wave Walker L88, Coho L108, Finn L116, Keta L117, and others), inverted tail slaps (Moonlight L83, Nyssa L84, Wave Walker L88, and others), dorsal fin slaps, cartwheels (Kasatka L82, Nyssa L84, Coho L108, and others), spy hops, and kelpings (Nugget L55, Wave Walker L88, and others). Of course, my camera decided it was the perfect time to start malfunctioning while this was all happening so I missed much of the action.

Towards the end of the encounter, both Nyssa L84 and Wave Walker L88 chose to come over towards the Odyssey and gave us some great looks. It was so nice to see almost all of L pod together (we were just missing the L12s) and in such an active mood. I miss seeing the pods traveling as a whole, not splitting up and fragmenting like they do now. Maybe in time, and with more Chinook/King salmon to eat, their society can be repaired.
Picture
Adult male Wave Walker L88 tail slaps next to Nyssa L84, Keta L117, and Ino L54.
Picture
Wave Walker L88, born in 1993.
Aboard the Odyssey the next day, we were able to see Nyssa L84 and Wave Walker L88 again. All of J, K, and L pod (minus the L12s) were spread out and headed quickly down Haro Strait from Stuart Island towards Henry Island. We caught up with a group that was made up of the J14s, Lobo K26, Tika K33, the L47s, Kasatka L82, Nyssa L84, Wave Wallker L88, Crewser L92, and Finn L116. Midnight L110 breached along the way. Once the group got to Kellet Bluff at Henry Island, they slowed down and foraged for salmon for a bit. The orcas then moved on to Open Bay and Nyssa L84 and Wave Walker L88 both got flirtatious with the ladies there! We left the J, K, and L pod members in Open Bay as they continued South for San Juan Island.
Picture
Midnight L110 breaches, his old mouth injury visible. He was born in 2007.
I am so happy that L54s finally returned to the area! I hope they can stick around for a while and socialize with the rest of the Southern Residents.

Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.
0 Comments

Js, Ks, And Ls On 8/10/15 And 8/12/15

8/21/2015

0 Comments

 
Out on the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions on 8/10/15, we headed over to Rosario Strait to see J, K, and some of L pod as they were coming down the strait. J pod and the K14s ended up turning around and heading back North while the K13s, L4s, L26s, L43s, and L47s continued toward us. The K12s, K16s, and Cappuccino K21 were also North near J pod and the K14s but they eventually turned around and made their way down Rosario later on.

The orcas were very spread out across the strait as they trickled down and we saw the K13s first. While we were watching them, some Ls passed us so we soon caught up with them and they were Crewser L92, Racer L72, and Fluke L105. These three then slowed down a little and Racer L72 milled about momentarily. She then spy hopped and Spock K20 followed with a slow spy hop of her own nearby as the K13s passed us again. Back behind us a little and further across the strait were the L4s, L47s, and Nigel L95. Racer L72 then spy hopped again and all the orcas began angling for Thatcher Pass instead of down the middle of Rosario.
Picture
Racer L72 with her awesome saddle patch. She was born in 1986.
Picture
Spock K20 spy hops. She was also born in 1986.
The orcas got pretty active as they made their way over to the pass, from tail slaps, inverted tail slaps, and dorsal fin slaps to breaches and backdives. They seemed to be very excited and the closer they got to the pass, the faster they swam. Once at the entrance though, it seemed like they were a little unsure if they wanted to go in. They slowed up and there was some direction changes. I thought they were going to change their minds and keep going down Rosario but suddenly there were already orcas out the other side of Thatcher and headed towards Lopez Island! The rest of the orcas followed close behind, many of them porpoising. At one point, Deadhead K27, Surprise L86, and maybe Muncher L91 did a triple spy hop while still in the pass!
Picture
One of the L4s or L47s porpoises through Thatcher Pass.
Once everyone was out the other side of Thatcher, there was some more excited porpoising, splashing, and a few belly flops. Scoter K25 may have also chased a salmon. We left the orcas aiming towards the Lopez Island ferry dock. After we were gone, they turned and went up towards Peavine Pass and Olga at Orcas Island. They then turned back around and went down Upright and San Juan Channel and exited through Cattle Pass between Lopez Island and San Juan Island into Haro Strait. The next day, J pod and the K14s came down Boundary Pass and made it to San Juan Island that evening while the K12s, K13s, K16s, Cappuccino K21, and the Ls were exited the area through the Strait of Juan De Fuca.

On 8/12/15, all of the Southern Resident orcas, except for the L12s and L54s, were back around San Juan Island and I headed out with some friends to see them. We found a tail slapping Granny J2 in the lead as the orcas headed North past Andrews Bay along San Juan Island. Behind Granny was the rest of her family: her granddaughter Samish J14, great grandchildren Hy’shqa J37, Suttles J40, and Se-Yi’-Chn J45, and great great grandson Ti’lem I’nges J49. We let them pass us and then started heading slowly South to find more Northbound orcas.  We then spotted Onyx L87 offshore of us. He was pointed North at first like the others had been but he soon turned around and headed slowly South with a tail slap. Inshore, Granny and her family had also turned around and were headed South quickly.

We moved further South and saw Blackberry J27 and Mako J39, with the K14s offshore of them near Hannah Heights. These orcas were also headed South at a good speed but Granny J2, her family, and Onyx L87 soon caught up with them and they all joined sleepy social groups spread out and milling off of Pile Point and False Bay. As we neared the first social group, Scoter K25 spy hopped offshore of us and gave a few tail slaps as he headed inshore. Crewser L92 was right behind him and also joined the social groups. Membership of these social groups often changed as some orcas would split off and new orcas would join.
Picture
Scoter K25, born in 1991, tail slaps.
The first social group was made up of Sequim K12, Skagit K13, Deadhead K27, Cali K34, Saturna K43, Ripple K44, Kasatka L82, Surprise L86, Nigel L95, and Lapis L103. They would all log at the surface together on and off and between the logging sessions they would roll around and socialize. Kasatka L82 also spy hopped and there were some above water vocalizations at times. Inshore of the group was Marina L47 and her son Mystic L115 and they logged together at the surface. Sonata K35 and Finn L116 were also nearby, showing off their sea snakes to each other. Granny J2 then swam straight through the social group, aiming South. Many of the orcas turned and followed right after her, like Moby J44, Sonata K35, Kasatka L82, Onyx L87, Finn L116, while others turned and paralleled her path of travel inshore, which were members of the big social group, some of the J17s, Tsuchi J31, Samish J14, Se-Yi'-Chn J45, and Crewser L92. These inshore orcas kept on socializing with each other as they traveled and were very tactile and splashy.
Picture
Granny J2 in evening light. She was born around 1911.
Picture
Sprouter male Nigel L95, born in 1996.
The last orcas to pass us as they brought up the rear were Shachi J19, Hy'shqa J37, Suttles J40, Eclipse J41, Ti'lem I'nges J49, J51, Cappuccino K21, and Scoter K25. Way inshore, Spock K20 and Lobo K26 were swimming side by side together, and there were a few more individuals way off to the South that we did not get to. We left the orcas as they continued South. There were multiples cartwheels, breaches, spy hops, and other above water behaviors as they traveled.

Since the 12th, and as of this posting on the 21st, at least some of the Resident orcas, if not almost everyone (minus the L12s and of course, the L54s) has been in the area each day. I wonder if and when the L54s will visit San Juan Island? Time will tell.

Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.
0 Comments

J And K Pod On 8/6/15

8/14/2015

0 Comments

 
On August 6th, the Center for Whale Researcher’s Dave Ellifrit and I headed out on the water under permit to have an encounter with J and K pod and to see if we could find Mako J39. He had been photographed with fishing gear in his mouth a few days prior and we wanted to see if he still had the gear in his mouth. We found our first orcas, Skagit K13, Lobo K26, and Sonata K35, a few miles Southwest of Eagle Point. Lobo K26 then split off and headed inshore to socialize with other orcas while Sonata K35 and Skagit K13 stayed together, with Sonata K35 being very flirtatious and showing off his sea snake to her.

We then headed inshore were there were two large social groups and a few smaller ones scattered around. The first large group was made up of at least Mike J26, Polaris J28, Star J46, Lea K14, Spock K20, Lobo K26 (who then left for another group again), Deadhead K27, Yoda K36, Rainshadow K37, Comet K38, and Onyx L87. We scanned the other large group for Mako J39 but did not see him. Some orcas in this other large group were Alki J36, Hy’shqa J37, Eclipse J41, J51, J52, and Opus K16.

We checked another nearby group and found Granny J2, Oreo J22, Sequim K12, and Saturna K43 (who was full of tail slaps), with Doublestuf J34 and Lobo K26 having bro time a little further offshore of them. No Mako J39 so off we went to check out other groups. Instead of milling about, pretty much everybody was Northbound in their groups now. We found members from both of the previous large groups we had seen already again, as well as a few orcas we had not seen yet. At one point, Hy’shqa J37 lifted her head out of the water and balanced a small strand of kelp on top of her rostrum. Tsuchi J31, Mako J39’s sister, was nearby with Shachi J19, Skagit K13, Spock K20, and Comet K38. Tsuchi J31 and Comet K38 tail slapped multiple times and Spock K20 breached once.

After checking a few more social groups, one being made up of Mike J26, Lobo K26, and Rainshadow K37 having bro time, we headed far offshore to look for Mako J39 and finally found him with Cappuccino K21 traveling North. Blackberry J27, Mako’s older brother, was paralleling them further offshore. Mako J39 breached once, which let us get a good look at his mouth and see that there was no fishing gear hanging from it. He then left Cappuccino K21 and began to forage/zigzag around a couple of miles off of False Bay.

While still trying to get shots of Mako J39, we found Slick J16, Echo J42, and J50 as they traveled slowly North. We then saw Mike J26 and Rainshadow K37 rolling around together. While waiting for them to come back up from a deep dive, I could hear whistles that sounded like they were very close and was confused on whether it was coming from a nearby whale watching boat's hydrophone. I then looked to my left and Rainshadow K37’s face was just below the water next to the boat and I understood then that he was the one whistling! He and Mike J26 then surfaced right off the now and continued goofing off. We then went back to Mako J39 and tried to get a few more shots of him while he foraged.
Picture
J50, born in December of 2014, with her mother, Slick J16, who was born around 1972. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.
We then went inshore to a large social group that was milling right off of Pile Point. This group was made up the J14s and J19s, Polaris J28, Tahlequah J35, Alki J36, Moby J44, Star J46, Notch J47, J52, Sekiu K22, Tika K33, Moby J44, and Opus K16, with Scoter K25 and Sonata K35 milling offshore of them. Suttles J40 was tossing J51 around and most of the other orcas were in a playful mood as well with tail slaps, rolling, breaching, pectoral fin slaps, etc. Young males Moby J44, Notch J47, and Ti’lem I’nges J49 then broke off from the group to join Tika K33 and Sonata K35 and all five of them had bro time together. Most of the large group continued to mill and socialize in close to shore between Pile Point and Hannah Heights.
Picture
Moby J44 breaches. He was born in 2009. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.
We then saw Shachi J19, Tsuchi J31, Cappuccino K21, and a few others coming back towards us from the North and they joined the large milling group. There was more rolling, socializing, spy peeps, tail slaps, and logging at the surface. Some of the orcas were even making above water vocalizations! We then headed back offshore and found Sequim K12 and Saturna K43 again, heading slowly north. Not far away from them was Mike J26, Mako J39, Skagit K13, and Rainshadow K37. Mike J26 was flirting with Skagit K13, who tail slapped many times and pectoral fin slapped. Mako J39 and Rainshadow K37 then soon ditched the other two and swam off to wrestle around. The two young males were active with splashes, tail slaps, rolling, and breaches. They eventually split up and we motored North to find more orcas.
Picture
Skagit K13, born around 1972, tail slaps as Mike J26 (dorsal tip) and Mako J39 dive. Photo taken under NMFS Permit 15569/ DFO SARA 272. Do not use without permission.
Just south of Bellevue Point, we found the K13s and Yoda K36 heading slowly North. A little behind them were all of the K12s, who were also moving North but faster than the K13s. There was another large group further North of them in Andrews Bay so we headed up to that group. It was the J22s, Hy’shqa J37, Ti’lem I’nges J49, and the rest of the K14s besides Yoda K36. The K12s had also caught up to them and were now close by. We ended our encounter as the orcas headed North off the South end of Mitchell Bay.

The next day, some Js and Ks left the area through the Strait of Juan De Fuca while the K12s and K13s were up near the Fraser River. On the 8th, the K12s and K13s were back at San Juan Island while J, the rest of K, and almost all of L pod was inbound in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The next day, everyone except for the L54s was back in the area. The L12s remained at the island while J, K and the rest of L pod (minus the L12s and L54s) headed North.

Please do not use these photos without permission. Just ask.
0 Comments

Js, Ks, And Ls On 8/2/15

8/6/2015

0 Comments

 
On the evening of July 27th, J and K pod (minus the K16s and Cappuccino K21) returned to San Juan Island. The next day, both pods were still at the island and spent most of their day foraging for Chinook/King salmon. On the 29th, Group A of J pod (minus the J16s), the K13s, and the K14s headed North for the Fraser River while Group B of J pod (including the J16s) and the K12s stayed at the island. On the 30th, Group B and the K12s were still at the island while Group A, the K13s, and the K12s came down Rosario Strait. While the K13s headed over to San Juan Island, Group A and the K12s turned around and went back up Rosario. The next day, the K13s headed North and met up with Group A and the K12s who were coming down Boundary Pass. Group B and the K12s were out near Trial Island in the Strait of Juan De Fuca that morning but were back at San Juan Island by the afternoon. On the morning of August 1st, J and K pod (still minus the K16s and Cappuccino K21) were out at Constance Bank in the Strait Juan De Fuca but it was't long before they were back at the island. Group A of J pod (minus the J16s), the K13s, and the K14s then headed North for the Fraser River, while Group B of J pod (including the J16s) and the K12s remained at the island. 

The next day (August 2nd) brought surprises. That morning, I went out to cliffs near my house and was happy to see that the L12s had returned to the island. They were moving South with Hy'shqa J37, Ti'lem I'nges J49, Spock K20, Rainshadow K37, and Comet K38 towards many more orcas that were spread out to the South of me in a very active and celebratory mood. I waited patiently until they all headed back North later in the day and went back out to the cliffs again once they were swimming past.

The orcas were spread out in lots of social groups and it soon became clear that other L pod members besides the L12s had returned to the island. When I arrived at the cliffs, Moonlight L83, Muncher L91, and Midnight L110 (from the L47s) were milling around close to shore, while Surprise L86 and Pooka L106 (from the L4s) were offshore. Pooka L106 tailed slapped multiple times and Surprise L86 did an inverted tail slap. Both of them spent a lot of time logging at the surface too, seemingly waiting for the other orcas to catch up with them. To the South of me, I could see Marina L47 and Mystic L115 milling about and many more orcas headed towards me.

The L47s, Surprise L86, and Pooka L106 then started to all merge offshore and milled about. Sprouter males Tika K33 and Nigel L95 (from the L43s) joined them and there was lots of rolling, spy hopping, pectoral fin slapping, and socializing from the group. Another group made it's way past that group and came in close to shore as they headed North. This group was made up of Granny J2, Princess Angeline J17, Oreo J22, Doublestuf J34, Cookie J38, and Moby J44. Sprouter male Doublestuf J34 was full of tail slaps and also played with some kelp multiple times. The group passed by me once and then they came back! This is when everyone, except for Doublestuf J34, started spy hopping, Princess Angeline doing so three times. Moby J44 also cartwheeled.
Picture
Granny J2, born around 1911, spy hops right off the cliffs.
Picture
Princess Angeline J17, born in 1977, spy hops.
Picture
Moby J44 cartwheels. He was born in 2009.
Picture
Oreo J22, born in 1985, spy hops. See the freckles on her eye patch?
It seemed that these orcas were also waiting for the other orcas to catch up and were curious on their whereabouts. Soon, Polaris J28 and Star J46 joined the group and they all continued North. The next group to arrive and mill about for a little bit before continuing North was made up of Shachi J19, Mike J26, Blackberry J27, Tsuchi J31, Doublestuf J34 (who had left the group he had just been with),Tahlequah J35, Alki J36, Mako J39, Eclipse J41, J51, J52, Scoter K25, Lobo K26, Ocean Sun L25, Mega L41, Onyx L87, Calypso L94, L121, and a few others. Offshore, Solstice L89, Cali K34, and many others surfaced, headed North.
Picture
From left to right: males Doublestuf J34, Blackberry J27, Mega L41, and Scoter K25.
I then headed North to Lime Kiln State Park to have another close encounter with the orcas from shore. The K14s and L4s were in the lead when I arrived and Kelp K42 did a really big belly flop! Lapis L103 and Jade L118 both tail slapped on their way past and Lapis L103 also did a dorsal fin slap and inverted tail slap. Granny J2, Slick J16, Shachi J19, Oreo J22, Mike J26, Blackberry J27, Tsuchi J31, Doublestuf J34, Alki J36, Cookie J38, Eclipse J41, J50, J51, J52, and a few others were close behind. Oreo J22 spy hopped again and little J50 breached.
Picture
Kelp K42 is mid belly flop. He was born in 2008.
There were lots of other orcas offshore. Onyx L87, and then Mako J39, were next to pass by. They were followed by some of the L12s, who had Deadhead K27 and Ripple K44 with them. L121 was very active with tons of tail slaps, a few aerial scans, and general splashing around. Spirit L22 and Solstice L89 were a little behind but eventually made their way past after milling a little outside of Deadman's Bay. Spirit L22 came by very close to shore and tail slapped, while Solstice L89 swam by slightly offshore. Skagit K13 and Cali K34 also passed by close to shore and the rest of the K13s were offshore. The J14s, Matia L77, Mystery L85, Nigel L95, Joy L119, and a few others were last to pass by.
Picture
L121, born in February of 2015, does an aerial scan next to mom.
Picture
Spirit L22 surfaces close to shore. She was born around 1971.
Though all the orcas had passed the park, I stayed put because it was likely that the L12s would turn around and head back South, which they did, but very, very slowly with lots of miling. Ocean Sun L25 and Mega L41 were in the lead and Ocean Sun L25 backdived and breached as she approached the park's shoreline. She also cartwheeled later on and tail slapped a few times. Calypso L94 and L121 were next, and Calypso L94 had a tail slap in her too. Matia L77, Mystery L85, Cousteau L113, and Joy L119 brought up the rear. Matia L77 tail slapped a few times as they went by and Mystery L85 belly flopped twice. A few miles North, Spirit L22 and Solstice L89 were still pointed North but eventually met back up with the L12s that evening.
Picture
Adult male Mystery L85 in mid belly flop. He was born in 1991.
On the 3rd, I was surprised to find the L12s off of the cliffs near my house again. They had actually spent the night and hadn't left the island as soon as they had come in like all of their other previous visits this season so far! That afternoon, J pod and the K14s came back down from their trip up North and met back up with the L12s a little South of Eagle Point. A party ensued with many tail slaps (especially from Granny J2), spy hops (two of them being from Granny J2), breaches (one from Spirit L22), belly flops, backdives, dorsal fin slaps (Cousteau L113), cartwheels, aerial scans, and more. While this was happening, other residents, who I assume were at least the K12s and K13s, if not the L4s, L47s, and L95, were coming down Boundary Pass and they made it to the island that evening.  The next day, the residents were exiting the area through the Strait of Juan De Fuca. What will happen next??

Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.
0 Comments

Resident Orcas From 7/18/15 To 7/25/15

7/27/2015

0 Comments

 
The Southern Resident orcas have been around quite a bit since my last blog post but I attended the fourth annual Superpod event (which was awesome!) that took place here on San Juan Island last week so that put me a little behind in posting my encounters here. Thus, this post will summarize all of my recent encounters and will pretty long with lots of photos!

On July 16th, the J14s, J19s, K13s, and K14s were up North near the Fraser River in their search for Chinook/King salmon. The next day, those four matrilines were back down at San Juan Island. The J14s, J19s, and K14s then headed back North while the K13s and Onyx L87 remained at the island. On the 18th, the J14s, J19s, and K14s were back at San Juan and were joined by the J11s, J16s, J17s, and the J22s who returned to the island with Onyx L87 and the K13s in tow that evening. To find out who returned, some friends and I headed out on the water. When we departed Snug Harbor, we immediately spotted the J16s and J22s, who were headed North for Kellet Bluff on Henry Island. The orcas were in no hurry as they foraged along the bluff.

We then headed down the South end of San Juan to find the other orcas. We found them spread out offshore of South Beach, starting with Polaris J28 and Star J46, then Yoda K36 with the K13s, followed by Blackberry J27, then Lobo K26, Lea K14, and Tsuchi J31. During our encounter we also saw a minke whale (who was near Blackberry J27) and on our way home, a humpback whale popped up near Eagle Point headed South. As we passed Lime Kiln State Park we bumped into the J16s and J22s again, who had turned around since we had first seen them and were now headed South. J50, born in December of 2014 and part of the J16s, was full of breaches as she went by the park.
Picture
Sprouter male Doublestuf J34 forages off of Kellet Bluff. He was born in 1998 and is part of the J22 matriline.
Picture
Star J46 tail slaps offshore of South Beach. She was born in 2009.
Picture
Adult female Spock K20, born in 1986. She is part of the K13 matriline.
Picture
Adult male Blackberry J27 surfaces offshore of South beach. He was born in 1991.
The next day (the 19th), the J11s, J17s, J19s, and J22s spent their morning foraging off the cliffs near my house. J51, born in February of 2015 and part of the J19s, was very active with multiple spy hops/peeps, tail slaps, rolls, and many loud above water vocalizations. Just one of J51's above water vocals was close to a J pod call, while the rest sounded like baby talk. While I was watching J51 and company, the J14s, K14s, and Onyx L87 were headed North, and later in the day the K13s headed North too. That evening, the K12s, L4s, and maybe the L47s returned to the island with the J16s in tow. Even more orcas were reported but were still out West in the Strait of Juan De Fuca so my friends and I headed out on the water again to try to find them and see who they were. What if they were the L54s? Unfortunately, rough water prevented us from finding them out there so we headed back to San Juan Island and had a very cool encounter with the other orcas.

We found the J11s, J16s, J17s, J19s, J22s, and L4s in a mosh pit offshore of Andrews Bay, with the K12s inshore of them. During the moshing, Tahlequah J35, Oreo J22, and Star J46 spy hopped, a few of the juveniles (one of them maybe being Finn L116) breached multiple times, Oreo J22 played with some kelp, a few individuals tail slapped. Young males Cookie J38 and Pooka L106, who were a short distance away from the mosh pit, wrestled around together and showed off their sea snakes. Once the moshing was over, all the orcas headed South together.
Picture
J51, born in February of 2015, spy peeps off of the cliffs near my house.
Picture
Oreo J22 surfaces off the cliffs near my house. She was born in 1985.
Picture
From left to right: Kasatka L82, Surprise L86, Tsuchi J31, J51, and Shachi J19 after the mosh pit.
On the 20th, the J14s, K13s, K14s, and Onyx L87 came back down to San Juan Island from the North and the L4s, J16s, and others left the area through the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The K13s then went back North. The next day, the K13s came back down to the island again while the J14s, K14s, and Onyx L7 headed back to the island from Partridge Bank and they headed North.

On the 22nd, the J11s, J16s, J17s, J19s, J22s, shuffled up and down the West side of the island. Later that day, the K12s, K16s, L4s, L26s, L43s, and L47s returned to the island and they formed a big, tight group with the J11s, J16s, J17s, J19s, and J22s right off the cliffs and slowly made their way North. Their slow travel speed also gave me enough time to catch them at two other spots to up the shoreline, including Lank Bank. Many of the orcas were in an active mood as they passed the cliffs. Slick J16, Blackberry J27, Polaris J28, Doublestuf J34, and Cookie J38 played with kelp, Tika K33, Sekiu K22, Jade L118, J50, and few others tail slapped, Tika K33 did an inverted tail slap and a pectoral fin slap, Kasatka L82 lunged past someone who was in the middle of an inverted tail slap, Opus K16 cartwheeled, others did dorsal fin and pectoral fin slaps, and some, including Shachi J19 swam by the cliffs upside down.

When I headed quickly North and caught the group again, Princess Angeline J17, Moby J44, Kasatka L82, and Finn L116 were tactile and rolled around together. J52 practiced some spy peeps and aerial scans, Tahlequah J35 spy hopped, Moonlight L83 dorsal fin slapped, and Cookie J38 tail slapped. I then headed North to Land Bank and caught them again. Most of the orcas were no longer close to shore. Tahlequah J35, Kasatka L82, Sequim K12, and a few others got into a breaching mood and there were many cartwheels from some excited individuals too. Tika K33 did an inverted tail slap again, someone was being tactile with Mystic L115, Mike J26 played with kelp, and somebody tail slapped. That evening, the J14s, K14s, and Onyx L87 came back down from the North and probably had a big party with the rest of the orcas.
Picture
Polaris J28 in the big group off the cliffs. She was born in 1993.
Picture
Big male Crewser L92, born in 1995.
Picture
Sprouter male Tika K33 tail slaps. He was born in 2001.
Picture
Jade L118 tail slaps. She was born in 2011.
Picture
Tahlequah J35 spy hops. She was born in 1998.
Picture
Tahlequah J35 breaches off of Land Bank.
On the 23rd, the J11s, J17s, and J22s stayed at San Juan, while the J14s, J16s, J19s, K12s, K13s, K16s, L4s, L26s, L43s, and L47s went North. The K14s went north independently later in the day. The next day, everyone who went North the previous day joined the J11s, J17s, and J22s at San Juan and then everyone headed back North. On the 25th, J, K, and L pod (minus the L12s and L54s) came back down from the North. Out on the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions, we caught up with the orcas as they headed towards San Juan Island from Stuart Island. They were all very spread out. We saw the K13s first and Skagit K13 caught a salmon right off our bow! She could have called to her adult son, Scoter K25, who was nearby because he then rushed over to her and they both dove. I am inclined to think that they shared the salmon underwater. I think Comet K38 (Skagit K13's grandson) also caught a salmon a few minutes later. He then played with some kelp afterwords. Next, we saw the J19s and the K14s (and may more orcas in the distance) who were inshore of us, and then the K16s, including Cappuccino K21, passed by. We saw the K12s, L4s and L47s last.
Picture
Adult female Skagit K13 surfaces with a salmon in her mouth! She was born around 1972.
Picture
Adult male Cappuccino K21, born in 1986.
The next day (the 26th), J, K, and almost all of L pod exited the area through the Strait of Juan De Fuca. Wow! It's been crazy, but super amazing!!

Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask :)
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Author

    Melisa Pinnow grew up on San Juan Island in Washington State. She attended The Evergreen State College from 2013 to 2017, receiving a Bachelor of Science in marine biology and ornithology. She has been a certified marine naturalist at San Juan Excursions since 2010. It is her hope that sharing her orca encounters will inspire others to love and protect these magnificent creatures for generations to come.

    Picture

    Archives

    October 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

Proudly powered by Weebly