The K And L Pod Shuffle On 6/24/15

All day long on June 24th, the K12s, K13s, and the fifteen L pod members from the L4 and L47 matrilines (plus Nigel L95) did the "West side shuffle" off of San Juan Island while Group A of J pod (usually made up of Granny J2, the J14s, J16s, J19s, and Onyx L87) and the K14s headed North for the Fraser River in their search for Chinook/King salmon. I watched the orcas from some cliffs near my house for most of the day and the K12s passed by me six times in total as they headed South, then North, then back South, then North, South, and back North again. The K13s passed me three times in total (North, South, and back North), and the Ls headed South towards me from the North once but turned around just as they passed me and headed back North.

Sekiu K22 breached and tail slapped beside her son Tika K33 when I first arrived at the cliffs and further offshore Saturna K43, who was with her mother Sequim K12 and older brother Rainshadow K37, joined in with some tail slaps. The orcas were headed South but then stopped and milled about/foraged for a bit before heading North together. Tika K33 logged at the surface for a short time before he rolled over, slapped his pectoral fin, righted himself, tail slapped, cartwheeled, and tail slapped again. However, the orcas did not get too far away before they turned back around and came slowly back South towards me in resting mode. Sequim K12, Rainshadow K37, and Saturna K43 pulled ahead of Sekiu K22 and Tika K33 and the three of them formed a little resting line. All five eventually came in close to shore for their passes, allowing me to get some great shots, especially of Rainshadow K37, who I rarely see for some reason.

Rainshadow K37, born in 2003. He is just about ready to sprout!

Sprouter male Tika K33, born in 2001.

Once they passed, Sequim K12, Rainshadow K37, and Saturna K43 woke up and got active. Rainshadow K37 breached, while Sequim K12 turned around, came back over extremely close to shore, and played in the kelp. Saturna K43 started cartwheeling, tail slapping, pec slapping, and backdiving. Once Sequim K12 was out of the kelp and heading South again, she breached high out of the water, tail slapped many times, and ended with another big breach.

Rainshadow K37 breaches!

Sequim K12 coming in extremely close to shore to play in the kelp! She was born around 1972.

Seqium K12 swims around while supporting a tiny strand of kelp on her rostrum.

Sequim K12 breaches!

Of course, it was not long before the five orcas had turned around and were headed back North past me. This time however, the K13s were right behind them in the short trip North. Skagit K13 came closest to shore, while her offspring (Spock K20, Scoter K25, Deadhead K27, and Cali K34) and grandsons (Comet K38 and Ripple K44) were further offshore. Then, the K13s and K12s were swimming back past me again, headed South, with the K13s in the lead and the K12s trailing.

Skagit K13, born around 1972.

I went back home for a little bit and then returned to the cliffs to find Kasatka L82 and her son Finn L116 close to shore headed South. Muncher L91 and other members of the L4s and L47s were offshore of them. Kasatka L82 then cartwheeled and tail slapped and all the Ls turned around and went back North. Back up from the South, the K12s and K13s appeared and passed by me again slightly offshore (and for the last time) as they followed the Ls North. Saturna K43 was tail and pec slapping again and Tika K33 was full of inverted tail slaps and pec slaps. Then, Saturna K43 poked her head out the water with her mouth wide open and continued to swim around like that for about half a minute! Sekiu K22 came closest to shore and did a lazy cartwheel as she passed by me.

Saturna K43 pokes her head out the water with her mouth open! She was born in 2010.

The next day, the K12s, K13s, and the fifteen Ls were seen exiting the area through the Strait of Juan De Fuca by whale watching boats, while Group A of J pod and the K14s were back down at San Juan Island after their quick trip to the Fraser River. I was out on the water with some friends for a little bit that morning to see who all was around and got some good looks then as the orcas made their way North from the South end of island, as well as later in the day from the cliffs near my house as they headed back South.

Mike J26, born in 1991, does an inverted tail slap on the morning of 6/25/15. He is part of the J16 matriline.

On the 26th, Group A split up and Granny J2, Onyx L87, the J14s, and the K14s headed for the Fraser again while the J16s and J19s stayed at San Juan Island and hung out in front (but slightly offshore) of Lime Kiln State Park that evening. More to come!

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