Aboard the "Odyssey" (the San Juan Excursions boat I work on), we met up with all of J pod as they headed North past Lime Kiln State Park on the West side of San Juan Island on 6/8/13. In the lead was Granny J2 and Spieden J8, followed by and in order of Oreo J22 with her family, Shachi J19 and her daughter Eclipse J41,Samish J14 with her matriline, Onyx L87, Slick J16 and her family, Princess Angeline J17 plus her children and grandchildren, and lastly Blackberry J27 with his siblings. The entire time we were with the orcas they seemed in a playful mood, with a few breaches, cartwheels, spy hops and a lot of kelping from the boys.
 Mike J26, born in 1991, throws kelp into the air with his tail flukes. |  Mike J26, born in 1991, throws kelp into the air with his tail flukes. |
Onyx L87, born in 1992, spy hops. He was adopted by Granny J2, estimated to have been born in 1911 and Spieden J8, estimated to have been born in 1933, after his mother passed away in L pod.
 Eclipse J41, born in 2005, tail slaps. |  Eclipse J41, born in 2005, tail slaps. |
Moby J44, born in 2009, cartwheels.
 Mike J26 drapes kelp again over his tail flukes. |  Mike J26 drapes kelp again over his tail flukes. |
Onyx L87 drapes kelp over his dorsal fin.
Blackberry J27, born in 1991, drapes kelp over his dorsal fin.
It was great to see the orcas acting so playful while we were with them. This hopefully means they are finding enough salmon around to eat!
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
