Aboard the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions on June 17th, we left Friday Harbor, motored down San Juan Channel, out Cattle Pass, and into Haro Strait. Shortly after, we met up with two marine mammal eating transient orca matrilines known as the T46s and T73As. They were off of Pile Point and headed up island. T46, T122, T46D, T46F, T73A, T73A2, and T73A3 made up one group, while T46E and T73A1 trailed behind or paralleled the others for some male bonding time. T73A1's dorsal fin has grown taller so he is definitely a sprouter male now! Is sixteen year old T46D a male though? We might need to wait just a few more years to answer that question. Everyone was in travel mode and did not make any obvious kills while we were with them.
Matriarchs T46 and T73A.
Sprouter males T46E and T73A1.
Matriarch T46.
We left the nine transient orcas as they passed Andrews Bay. It’s interesting that the T46s were around this time last year too, but a little earlier, on June 9th. The T73As were also around this time last year, but a little later, on June 22nd. Good timing guys!
Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.
Please do not use my photos without my permission. Just ask.
