On the 12th, we headed to limits of our range on the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions to see a Southern Resident orca matriline known as the J16's. The family of four (Slick J16, and her three offspring; Mike J26, Alki J36, and Echo J42) were over near the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station for some reason, possibly foraging for salmon. I thought they would be scared away by all of the aircraft that were flying low above them, but the orcas stayed in the area for a few hours before swimming over to San Juan Island
The next day, the J16's joined up with Group A of J pod (and the K14's?) to the North up in Canada and together they headed down Boundary Pass for San Juan. Aboard the Odyssey, we saw some occasional porpoising from Hy'shqa J37 and her son Ti'lem I'nges J49, while Onyx L87 did a cartwheel, dorsal fin slap, and tail slap. Towards the end of our encounter, we joined the J16's as they brought up the rear of Group A. As they slowly passed a fog covered Stuart Island, I was reminded of the stronger and healthier Northern Resident orcas up at the North end of Vancouver Island and my encounters with them last summer. I hope to see the Northern Residents again one of these days. I was then reminded that they have had a few new babies over these last few years, as well as the Transient orcas, while our Southern Residents haven't had a surviving calf since August of 2012. . .and with less than eighty Southern Residents left as they continue to loose individuals and gain zero babies, we need seriously some new calves.
The next day, the J16's joined up with Group A of J pod (and the K14's?) to the North up in Canada and together they headed down Boundary Pass for San Juan. Aboard the Odyssey, we saw some occasional porpoising from Hy'shqa J37 and her son Ti'lem I'nges J49, while Onyx L87 did a cartwheel, dorsal fin slap, and tail slap. Towards the end of our encounter, we joined the J16's as they brought up the rear of Group A. As they slowly passed a fog covered Stuart Island, I was reminded of the stronger and healthier Northern Resident orcas up at the North end of Vancouver Island and my encounters with them last summer. I hope to see the Northern Residents again one of these days. I was then reminded that they have had a few new babies over these last few years, as well as the Transient orcas, while our Southern Residents haven't had a surviving calf since August of 2012. . .and with less than eighty Southern Residents left as they continue to loose individuals and gain zero babies, we need seriously some new calves.
Hy'shqa J37, born in 2001, porpoises along.
Granny J2, born around 1911. She is presumed to be great grandmother to Hy'shqa.
Onyx L87, born in 1992. Looking for a mother figure, he travels closely with Granny.
Mike J26, born in 1991, travels past a foggy Stuart Island.
Slick J16, born around 1972, passes the Turn Point light house on Stuart Island.
On the 14th, fog engulfed San Juan Island, concealing Group A of J pod. It wasn't until later that evening that the orcas were sighted as they headed North for the Fraser River, and apparently the J16's and K14's were no where to be seen. They could have exited the area or were just off somewhere else around the islands. They are both pretty independent matrilines. On the 15th, the Group A was headed back down to San Juan Island from the Fraser River. Where will they pop up next?
Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask.
Please don't use my photos without permission. Just ask.
