Reports came in of a large amount of orcas heading for San Juan Island from the Strait of Juan De Fuca on the morning of 7/8/13. Soon after, it was confirmed that all three pods that make up the entire Southern Resident orca population were coming home!!! Soon, all 82 orcas would be back in the area for the first superpod event of the year, which is their version of a big family reunion. During superpods, the orcas socialize, mate, celebrate, and interact with friends from the other pods they have not seen for awhile. J pod had been gone for the last month, K pod had not been back to San Juan Island since December, and L pod had been in and out of the area for the last few weeks.
The "Odyssey" (the San Juan Excursions boat I work on) met up with J and L pod as they headed for the West side of San Juan Island, but we did not see any K pod members as they were farther North of us. The first orcas we saw were Blackberry J27, his younger brother Mako J39, and Spirit L22.
The "Odyssey" (the San Juan Excursions boat I work on) met up with J and L pod as they headed for the West side of San Juan Island, but we did not see any K pod members as they were farther North of us. The first orcas we saw were Blackberry J27, his younger brother Mako J39, and Spirit L22.
Blackberry J27 (1991), Spirit L22 (est.1971), and Mako J39 (2003) travel tightly towards the island.
 Marina L47, born in 1974. |  Marina's son, Mystic L115, born in 2010. |
In the distance, I could see other J and L pod members. All three pods were spread out for miles and everywhere I looked I could see orcas!
Mega L41, born in 1977.
Moonlight L83, born in 1990.
Moonlight's son, Midnight L110, born in 2007.
 Takoda L109, born in 2003, breaches. . . |  . . . followed by sibling Jade L118, who was born in 2011. |
 Takoda L109 breaches again. . . |  . . .followed by sibling Jade L118 again!! |
Racer L72, born in 1986. Her son Fluke L105, born in 2004, was not far behind.
Ophelia L27, estimated to have been born in 1961.
Pooka L106, born in 2005.
Lapis L103, born in 2003, waves goodbye.
The next day (7/9/13), all three pods had split up. The L12's and L22's were still on the West Side of San Juan Island, J and K pod traveled from Point Roberts to Lummi Island, and the rest of L pod went from San Juan Island to East point on Saturna Island in Canada. Where will they all be tomorrow??
