Over the last few days, two unrelated Transient orca called the T137's and T185's have been traveling around the area together. Today, aboard the "Odyssey" of San Juan Excursions, we departed Friday Harbor and headed for an island super close by called Lopez Island. The orcas were heading right in our direction too, so it was not long at all before we were with them. Transient orcas eat only marine mammals, unlike the Chinook salmon eating Southern Resident orcas. These two different orcas ecotypes to not mate or socailize with each other at all, and besides having contrasting diets, they have different languages, genetics, cultures, body shapes and sizes too.
For our area, these three marine mammals are the most common prey for the Transient orcas.
For our area, these three marine mammals are the most common prey for the Transient orcas.
Harbor seal. Seaweed can be seen draped over this ones head.
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Steller sea lions.
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Harbor porpoise.
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These two Transient orca matrilines traveling together consisted of these members:
| T137 family matriarch T137, born in 1983 son T137A, 2002 T137B, 2006 T137D, 2012 *T137C passed away shortly after being born in 2010. | T185 family matriarch T185, 1983 probable son T186, 1995 T187, 1999 T185A, 2007 |
The orcas were mostly in travel mode during the trip, but towards the end, they did seem to find some prey, probably a harbor seal, and they most likely caught it by the way they were acting. During the time when the two families were chasing their lunch, who I presume to be T185A, shot off at top speed to the North! We all watched as he/she porpoised (sped swam) far into the distance before turning around and slowly zigzagging its way back to the others, who were all still hunting. There was another family of Transient orcas called the T030's just to the North, and I had wondered if T185A had heard them and wanted to meet up! One thing is for sure though, I have never seen a behavior like that from a Transient, or even a Resident orca.
Six of the eight orcas come to surface at the same time!
Sprouter male T137A. Look at those two nicks in his dorsal fin!
T185 with her probable son T186. He's gonna get a lot bigger before he becomes an adult!
The newest edition to the T137 family, T137D!
Just another prefect day on the water! Next time we see orcas, will they be Transients or could the Southern Residents make an appearance? We shall see!
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
