June 26
Whales all over today on the west side of San Juan Island, very spread out. We were a mile or two off shore with L78, K16 and possibly J35, who played in a kelp bed, then pushed the kelp over towards us. What a thrill. Attached are 2 photos of the kelp princess.
Jill Hein, Coupeville
June 26
A special day as we were privileged to have 4 year old Colin, his family, supporters, and the Make a Wish Foundation aboard. Colin had become fascinated with Orcas that he saw in the ocean scenes at the hospital he has spent many days at in the last 2 & 1/2 years. Hopes were high as we headed west of Salmon Bank. We were all delighted to watch K-11, K- 13, K-25, K-27, K-34, K-20, and K-38, from 2:10pm until 3pm, in close family groups foraging as they headed northwest toward Eagle Cove, and two groups of other whales along the shoreline. It was that wonderful time of slack ebb tide, calm water, great visibility, sunshine, and hearing the powerful blows of the whales carry across the water as they swam past. We were all so happy Colin got his wish, when we came across two Minke whales foraging at Salmon Bank! (see report continued below).
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions
vrijdag 26 juni 2009
donderdag 25 juni 2009
June 25
Cool orcas off SJI today most of the day. First, J pod went down island on the ebb, then up island on the flood to Lime Kiln, with most of the pod making close passes to shore with lots of surface active behavior. As J1 and J2, among others, went north, most of the pod seemed to stall out around Lime Kiln, still with lots of surface activity. At the same time there were reports that K pod had passed Discovery Island and other reports further north had J1 and J2 disappearing. Minutes after J1 and J2 "disappeared," the orcas at Lime Kiln started heading at a fast pace off shore and towards Discovery. Within minutes J pod, including J1 and J2, were together making great time and distance against a strong flood tide. Several juveniles breached nearly continuously, until J pod met up with K pod and perhaps more than a few L's about a mile off Hannah Heights at around 5 p.m. There were whales all over, with much active socializing. There appeared to be at least three groups of ten or more whales in close proximity, rolling all over each other, with much switching of whales (at least sprouters) between the groups. About half of K pod headed in close to the shore at Hannah Heights within 10 minutes of meeting up. At Hannah there was a good chop going on. The K pod whales appeared to be surfing, foraging and playing at the same time. A young calf (K42?) tried to copy the older whales and dove aggressively into a large wave before getting bashed sideways by the pretty good sized wave. The calf kind of wriggled like a fish, righted himself and continued on unabashed after his older brethren. As the flood tide began carrying the main group of orcas up island, the K pod whales that had been close in to the beach headed out and joined up with the main group. I left them just after 6 pm still heading up island as a group. On another good note I think I have seen more socializing already this year, than all of last year which seemed to be a continual quest for food. On a bad note, as the whales met up today, they were completely surrounded by boats. (On a good note, DFW and Soundwatch had been out earlier in the day.)
Sharon Grace, SJI
June 25
Late Thursday afternoon as the whales went north past Lime Kiln I was able to get a picture of Gaia L-78 and Wave Walker L-88. I don't know if other L Pod whales were present with J Pod and K Pod, but it was interesting to see these whales with Js and Ks. I would imagine that their mom, Grace L-2 was there, but I didn't get a picture of her. L-2, L-78 and L-88 were seen with J and K pods on Monday June 22nd as they all came south down Haro Strait.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
Cool orcas off SJI today most of the day. First, J pod went down island on the ebb, then up island on the flood to Lime Kiln, with most of the pod making close passes to shore with lots of surface active behavior. As J1 and J2, among others, went north, most of the pod seemed to stall out around Lime Kiln, still with lots of surface activity. At the same time there were reports that K pod had passed Discovery Island and other reports further north had J1 and J2 disappearing. Minutes after J1 and J2 "disappeared," the orcas at Lime Kiln started heading at a fast pace off shore and towards Discovery. Within minutes J pod, including J1 and J2, were together making great time and distance against a strong flood tide. Several juveniles breached nearly continuously, until J pod met up with K pod and perhaps more than a few L's about a mile off Hannah Heights at around 5 p.m. There were whales all over, with much active socializing. There appeared to be at least three groups of ten or more whales in close proximity, rolling all over each other, with much switching of whales (at least sprouters) between the groups. About half of K pod headed in close to the shore at Hannah Heights within 10 minutes of meeting up. At Hannah there was a good chop going on. The K pod whales appeared to be surfing, foraging and playing at the same time. A young calf (K42?) tried to copy the older whales and dove aggressively into a large wave before getting bashed sideways by the pretty good sized wave. The calf kind of wriggled like a fish, righted himself and continued on unabashed after his older brethren. As the flood tide began carrying the main group of orcas up island, the K pod whales that had been close in to the beach headed out and joined up with the main group. I left them just after 6 pm still heading up island as a group. On another good note I think I have seen more socializing already this year, than all of last year which seemed to be a continual quest for food. On a bad note, as the whales met up today, they were completely surrounded by boats. (On a good note, DFW and Soundwatch had been out earlier in the day.)
Sharon Grace, SJI
June 25
Late Thursday afternoon as the whales went north past Lime Kiln I was able to get a picture of Gaia L-78 and Wave Walker L-88. I don't know if other L Pod whales were present with J Pod and K Pod, but it was interesting to see these whales with Js and Ks. I would imagine that their mom, Grace L-2 was there, but I didn't get a picture of her. L-2, L-78 and L-88 were seen with J and K pods on Monday June 22nd as they all came south down Haro Strait.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
maandag 22 juni 2009
Js, Ks and Ls together
June 22
Jeff Hogan reported Js, Ks & some L's (at least L2 & L87) off the west side of San Juan Island today.
June 22
All of J-Pod with some L's and K's porpoising, power swimming, against the strong flood tide, from Saturna Island southwest across Boundary Pass toward Stuart Island, from 2:20pm to 3:25pm. They were traveling quite fast, in tight knit family groups. As we watched the first group approach Turn Point and the tide rips, one whale spy hopped, then 2 in unison, then the breaches started. There were 4 to 5 orcas in each group, 8 groups total, in that time period, heading around the point into Haro Strait. In every group, whales spy hopped, breached, lunged, cartwheeled, back flipped, pectoral slapped, or tail lobbed as they closed in on Stuart Island! Words can't describe the fantastic, countless breaches, percussive and surface behaviors!! Even J-1 Ruffles joined the party and breached!
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions
June 22
At 17:58 I can hear whales at Orca Sound hydrophone. Great clarity! No vessel noise!
Celia Barroso
June 22
They're there again (orcas on OrcaSound) right now - 5:08pm!
Ruby Keefe, Culver City, CA
June 22
Heard some GREAT orca calls on the OrcaSound hydrophones beginning at about 4:30 pm, then at 5:43 pm on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone, so they must have been heading south along the west side of San Juan Island.
Susan Berta, Orca Network, Whidbey Island
June 22 Hearing our friends at 12:17am June 22nd on the orcasound hydrophone!
Ruby Keefe, Culver City, CA
June 22
Sounds like party time for the 'Superpod boys and girls' right now at 12 .15am June 22nd on the Orcasound hydrophones. Makes my heart sing! What magical sounds.
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Victoria B.C.
June 22
Center for Whale Research received a report from Soundwatch of 40 plus whales traveling south from East Point on Saturna Island, B.C. at 12:25 p.m. At 2:00 p.m. Center staff Erin Heydenreich, Emma Foster and Basil Von Ah encountered J's and K's in mixed tight groups traveling at a fast pace southwest through Boundary Pass(48° 43.930 N; 123° 09.584 W). The whales continued to travel past Turn Point and spread out across Haro Strait (48° 36.568 N; 123° 14.784W). All members of J and K pod were confirmed present as well as the L2's and L87. The rest of L pod reportedly went west in the Strait of Juan de Fuca earlier that morning.
Center for Whale Research,
June 22
On our morning trip from Steveston, we had heard a rumour that the whales were headed south from the Roberts Bank Coal Dock. Sure enough, we spotted some whales travelling along the shores of Point Roberts, as they occasionally do when in the area. Initially, just a few whales were seen, then offshore, we started to see more fins. The whales were spread out over an area that was several square miles. They were travelling alone, or in very small groups, slowly drifiting with the tide, with no obvious direction of travel, and often doing long dives. We were fortunate to observe K26 (Lobo) spending some quality time with younger brother K42, even doing some side-by-side foraging. Further out in the Strait, we encountered J1 and J2. At one point, J1 lunged, presumably after a fish, and following that, J2 (Granny) breached twice - one a forward arch, and then one standard up in the air breach. Our passengers were so impressed when they heard that she may be approaching 100 years of age and still had that kind of energy and flexibility. Surprisingly, vocals were very sparse, and with almost no boat traffic, we would have been able to hear them for miles. It was an amazing morning, with flat calm waters, and whales meandering by from every direction.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch
Jeff Hogan reported Js, Ks & some L's (at least L2 & L87) off the west side of San Juan Island today.
June 22
All of J-Pod with some L's and K's porpoising, power swimming, against the strong flood tide, from Saturna Island southwest across Boundary Pass toward Stuart Island, from 2:20pm to 3:25pm. They were traveling quite fast, in tight knit family groups. As we watched the first group approach Turn Point and the tide rips, one whale spy hopped, then 2 in unison, then the breaches started. There were 4 to 5 orcas in each group, 8 groups total, in that time period, heading around the point into Haro Strait. In every group, whales spy hopped, breached, lunged, cartwheeled, back flipped, pectoral slapped, or tail lobbed as they closed in on Stuart Island! Words can't describe the fantastic, countless breaches, percussive and surface behaviors!! Even J-1 Ruffles joined the party and breached!
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions
June 22
At 17:58 I can hear whales at Orca Sound hydrophone. Great clarity! No vessel noise!
Celia Barroso
June 22
They're there again (orcas on OrcaSound) right now - 5:08pm!
Ruby Keefe, Culver City, CA
June 22
Heard some GREAT orca calls on the OrcaSound hydrophones beginning at about 4:30 pm, then at 5:43 pm on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone, so they must have been heading south along the west side of San Juan Island.
Susan Berta, Orca Network, Whidbey Island
June 22 Hearing our friends at 12:17am June 22nd on the orcasound hydrophone!
Ruby Keefe, Culver City, CA
June 22
Sounds like party time for the 'Superpod boys and girls' right now at 12 .15am June 22nd on the Orcasound hydrophones. Makes my heart sing! What magical sounds.
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Victoria B.C.
June 22
Center for Whale Research received a report from Soundwatch of 40 plus whales traveling south from East Point on Saturna Island, B.C. at 12:25 p.m. At 2:00 p.m. Center staff Erin Heydenreich, Emma Foster and Basil Von Ah encountered J's and K's in mixed tight groups traveling at a fast pace southwest through Boundary Pass(48° 43.930 N; 123° 09.584 W). The whales continued to travel past Turn Point and spread out across Haro Strait (48° 36.568 N; 123° 14.784W). All members of J and K pod were confirmed present as well as the L2's and L87. The rest of L pod reportedly went west in the Strait of Juan de Fuca earlier that morning.
Center for Whale Research,
June 22
On our morning trip from Steveston, we had heard a rumour that the whales were headed south from the Roberts Bank Coal Dock. Sure enough, we spotted some whales travelling along the shores of Point Roberts, as they occasionally do when in the area. Initially, just a few whales were seen, then offshore, we started to see more fins. The whales were spread out over an area that was several square miles. They were travelling alone, or in very small groups, slowly drifiting with the tide, with no obvious direction of travel, and often doing long dives. We were fortunate to observe K26 (Lobo) spending some quality time with younger brother K42, even doing some side-by-side foraging. Further out in the Strait, we encountered J1 and J2. At one point, J1 lunged, presumably after a fish, and following that, J2 (Granny) breached twice - one a forward arch, and then one standard up in the air breach. Our passengers were so impressed when they heard that she may be approaching 100 years of age and still had that kind of energy and flexibility. Surprisingly, vocals were very sparse, and with almost no boat traffic, we would have been able to hear them for miles. It was an amazing morning, with flat calm waters, and whales meandering by from every direction.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch
zondag 21 juni 2009
Superpod Sunday
June 21
Howard Garrett, calling from the Center for Whale Research on west San Juan Island reported the L12s heading north off Eagle Pt. and J pod off Iceberg Pt. heading south at 10:30 am. Orcas also reported off Salmon Bank at 10:55.
At 1:10 pm, J pod & the L12s were passing the Center heading north. At 2:30 pm the Center received reports that the orcas up north were now in Active Pass, heading south, so it looks like a Superpod is in the making!
Update: Howard joined Ken Balcomb and the Center for Whale Research staff in heading up to see the superpod - they encountered them at approx. 4:10 pm off the NW tip of Stuart Island, and left them at about 6:25 pm south of Saturna Island, as all three pods headed north toward Boundary Pass. More details and photos coming tomorrow!
June 21
The day started off very cool and rainy. I thought to myself "Wow, summer/Father's Day is starting off pretty soggy." But after having whales in the area yesterday, my hopes were high that they would stick around. So we left aboard the Explorer and the day got progressively sunnier, and sure enough--we heard J-Pod was slowly working their way north near Kellett Bluff. Along the way, we got sidetracked by 6 bald eagles feasting on a harbor seal carcass near Davidson Head (north end of San Juan). That should have been a clue to let me know what kind of special day we were in for! Soon (1330) we were watching J-Pod actively working the tide rips in search of salmon near Kellett Bluff. Lots of direction changes as the whales did their thing, sometimes maintaining their position by swimming into the current. We saw several spyhops, tail slaps, and I was especially excited to see my "buddy" J1 Ruffles (it's been too long since my last sighting!) We also saw J30 Riptide, and one of the new moms (her saddle was hidden by the waves in the riptide). But the day suddenly got even better. We had heard reports of a group of unidentified whales passing Campbell River last night around 1800. So we figured maybe late tonight/early tomorrow we'd have them down here and could ID them. Well, we got a report from a friend that a large group of "maybe Transients" had just made it through Active Pass. So off we went (the advantage of having a fast boat!) Soon (1430) we were off of Prevost Island and saw fins. LOTS OF FINS. Hmmm, we thought--this is too many for Transients, right? Well, before we knew it, whales started breaching everywhere! Not acting like Transients, we soon thought--Residents?? And that's when we began to make some IDs--L78 (Gaia), L72 (Racer), L7 (Canuck), K26 (Lobo), K16 (Opus), K21 (Cappucino), and K40 (Raggedy). Haven't seen these whales yet this year and we were the first to make the ID!! As a naturalist, it's always extra special to be the first to see a group of whales. Just when we thought we'd seen all the whales pass, we'd hear a blow or two and yet more whales would come by! We left the whales heading South in Swanson Channel near Thieves Bay at 1500 and made our way back to Friday Harbor. One of the best father's day gifts a naturalist could hope for!
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Western Explorer, Friday Harbor
June 21
What a day, what a day! Sunday morning started with a morning downpour, but by 1 pm it was sunshine with clearing skies! On our way around the island we stopped for magnificient views of Bald Eagles, both mature adults and immature subadults all in trees near a washed up Harbor Seal carcass. The eagles really are scavengers first, predators second. Then we spent our afternoon on the northwest corner of San Juan Island in Speiden Channel with Southern Resident Orcas from J & L pods!! These are the fish-eating pods that frequent the area in the summer months to feast on salmon that travel through our waterways. So if we're seeing these Orcas, hopefully it means they are finding enough salmon here and will stick around for the rest of the season! (Currently our 3 pods that make up this Southern Resident Community of Killer Whales are endangered, one threat being decreasing salmon populations.) J pod was just passing Henry Island and playing in a rip or current where presumbably they were fishing. They were very active - changing direction, tail slapping, and even some logging at the surface by 1 or 2 whales. They continued north forming tight groups and picked up speed with a few Orcas porpoising out of the water with force. Then slowing again - more activity - even a few breaches! The L12 subgroup was not far behind also traveling north. I didn't identify the 2 K pod animals, K20 & K38, but other boat captains said they were also in the mix, traveling with the J pod. Very interesting - I think we're all still wondering where the rest of K pod is and why these 2 animals have been without them lately. Either way it was a truly beautiful sight to observe them. We were also able to drop our hydrophone in and pick up some clicks (echolocation used in hunting) and hear a few squeals and whistles (communication between the whales). After viewing the Killer Whales we had some extra time to tour through the islands on our way back to Friday Harbor. More eagles, interesting currents, and harbor seals swimming in kelp were all a part of our safari! A perfect Sunday afternoon.
-Jaclyn, naturalist, Crew At San Juan Safaris Whale Watch Wildlife Tours
June 21
Wow---2 days in a row of all three pods of Southern Residents! At 1500, we observed the whales making the turn around Turn Island, and they really started pouring on the speed as they headed down Haro Strait. First came members of J Pod. We observed J1 Ruffles, J2 Granny, J30 Riptide as they porpoised past the boat (technically I guess you could say they dolphined past the boat!). Then the breaches began as one and then another whale began breaching one after the next. Then came a mixture of J's & Ls as they tried to play "catch up" to the leaders. I heard that there were members of K Pod as well, but I didn't observe any from our location. As they are known to do, as the whales made their way south, they began to spread out in smaller matriline groups. At 1600, the whales were approaching Kellett Bluff and the waves and wind began to pick up, so we decided to head up Speiden Channel and enjoyed bald eagles, sunning harbor seals, quite a few Mouflon Rams (12 to be exact), and a harbor porpoise. Oh how I hope the whales hang around for awhile longer-- maybe that will indicate some salmon are returning after all!
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Western Prince, Friday Harbor
June 21
After watching several whales pass by the Center and receiving various reports of more whales up north, Ken Balcomb, Howard Garrett, Erin Heydenreich, Emma Foster and Basil Von Ah of the Center for Whale Research, departed onboard both Orca and Starlet. At approximately 4:10 p.m. both vessels encountered J, K, and L pods travelling in tight groups up Boundary Pass (48° 44.495 N; 123° 07.195 W) . It appears that all members of the three pods were present, totaling 86 whales. The encounter ended at 6:30 p.m. The whales were traveling tight in two groups and continued north up Boundary Pass (48° 44.877 N; 123° 05.293 W) .
Center for Whale Research,
Howard Garrett, calling from the Center for Whale Research on west San Juan Island reported the L12s heading north off Eagle Pt. and J pod off Iceberg Pt. heading south at 10:30 am. Orcas also reported off Salmon Bank at 10:55.
At 1:10 pm, J pod & the L12s were passing the Center heading north. At 2:30 pm the Center received reports that the orcas up north were now in Active Pass, heading south, so it looks like a Superpod is in the making!
Update: Howard joined Ken Balcomb and the Center for Whale Research staff in heading up to see the superpod - they encountered them at approx. 4:10 pm off the NW tip of Stuart Island, and left them at about 6:25 pm south of Saturna Island, as all three pods headed north toward Boundary Pass. More details and photos coming tomorrow!
June 21
The day started off very cool and rainy. I thought to myself "Wow, summer/Father's Day is starting off pretty soggy." But after having whales in the area yesterday, my hopes were high that they would stick around. So we left aboard the Explorer and the day got progressively sunnier, and sure enough--we heard J-Pod was slowly working their way north near Kellett Bluff. Along the way, we got sidetracked by 6 bald eagles feasting on a harbor seal carcass near Davidson Head (north end of San Juan). That should have been a clue to let me know what kind of special day we were in for! Soon (1330) we were watching J-Pod actively working the tide rips in search of salmon near Kellett Bluff. Lots of direction changes as the whales did their thing, sometimes maintaining their position by swimming into the current. We saw several spyhops, tail slaps, and I was especially excited to see my "buddy" J1 Ruffles (it's been too long since my last sighting!) We also saw J30 Riptide, and one of the new moms (her saddle was hidden by the waves in the riptide). But the day suddenly got even better. We had heard reports of a group of unidentified whales passing Campbell River last night around 1800. So we figured maybe late tonight/early tomorrow we'd have them down here and could ID them. Well, we got a report from a friend that a large group of "maybe Transients" had just made it through Active Pass. So off we went (the advantage of having a fast boat!) Soon (1430) we were off of Prevost Island and saw fins. LOTS OF FINS. Hmmm, we thought--this is too many for Transients, right? Well, before we knew it, whales started breaching everywhere! Not acting like Transients, we soon thought--Residents?? And that's when we began to make some IDs--L78 (Gaia), L72 (Racer), L7 (Canuck), K26 (Lobo), K16 (Opus), K21 (Cappucino), and K40 (Raggedy). Haven't seen these whales yet this year and we were the first to make the ID!! As a naturalist, it's always extra special to be the first to see a group of whales. Just when we thought we'd seen all the whales pass, we'd hear a blow or two and yet more whales would come by! We left the whales heading South in Swanson Channel near Thieves Bay at 1500 and made our way back to Friday Harbor. One of the best father's day gifts a naturalist could hope for!
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Western Explorer, Friday Harbor
June 21
What a day, what a day! Sunday morning started with a morning downpour, but by 1 pm it was sunshine with clearing skies! On our way around the island we stopped for magnificient views of Bald Eagles, both mature adults and immature subadults all in trees near a washed up Harbor Seal carcass. The eagles really are scavengers first, predators second. Then we spent our afternoon on the northwest corner of San Juan Island in Speiden Channel with Southern Resident Orcas from J & L pods!! These are the fish-eating pods that frequent the area in the summer months to feast on salmon that travel through our waterways. So if we're seeing these Orcas, hopefully it means they are finding enough salmon here and will stick around for the rest of the season! (Currently our 3 pods that make up this Southern Resident Community of Killer Whales are endangered, one threat being decreasing salmon populations.) J pod was just passing Henry Island and playing in a rip or current where presumbably they were fishing. They were very active - changing direction, tail slapping, and even some logging at the surface by 1 or 2 whales. They continued north forming tight groups and picked up speed with a few Orcas porpoising out of the water with force. Then slowing again - more activity - even a few breaches! The L12 subgroup was not far behind also traveling north. I didn't identify the 2 K pod animals, K20 & K38, but other boat captains said they were also in the mix, traveling with the J pod. Very interesting - I think we're all still wondering where the rest of K pod is and why these 2 animals have been without them lately. Either way it was a truly beautiful sight to observe them. We were also able to drop our hydrophone in and pick up some clicks (echolocation used in hunting) and hear a few squeals and whistles (communication between the whales). After viewing the Killer Whales we had some extra time to tour through the islands on our way back to Friday Harbor. More eagles, interesting currents, and harbor seals swimming in kelp were all a part of our safari! A perfect Sunday afternoon.
-Jaclyn, naturalist, Crew At San Juan Safaris Whale Watch Wildlife Tours
June 21
Wow---2 days in a row of all three pods of Southern Residents! At 1500, we observed the whales making the turn around Turn Island, and they really started pouring on the speed as they headed down Haro Strait. First came members of J Pod. We observed J1 Ruffles, J2 Granny, J30 Riptide as they porpoised past the boat (technically I guess you could say they dolphined past the boat!). Then the breaches began as one and then another whale began breaching one after the next. Then came a mixture of J's & Ls as they tried to play "catch up" to the leaders. I heard that there were members of K Pod as well, but I didn't observe any from our location. As they are known to do, as the whales made their way south, they began to spread out in smaller matriline groups. At 1600, the whales were approaching Kellett Bluff and the waves and wind began to pick up, so we decided to head up Speiden Channel and enjoyed bald eagles, sunning harbor seals, quite a few Mouflon Rams (12 to be exact), and a harbor porpoise. Oh how I hope the whales hang around for awhile longer-- maybe that will indicate some salmon are returning after all!
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Western Prince, Friday Harbor
June 21
After watching several whales pass by the Center and receiving various reports of more whales up north, Ken Balcomb, Howard Garrett, Erin Heydenreich, Emma Foster and Basil Von Ah of the Center for Whale Research, departed onboard both Orca and Starlet. At approximately 4:10 p.m. both vessels encountered J, K, and L pods travelling in tight groups up Boundary Pass (48° 44.495 N; 123° 07.195 W) . It appears that all members of the three pods were present, totaling 86 whales. The encounter ended at 6:30 p.m. The whales were traveling tight in two groups and continued north up Boundary Pass (48° 44.877 N; 123° 05.293 W) .
Center for Whale Research,
zaterdag 20 juni 2009
K20&K38
June 20
Js and K20/38, going N at Coal Docks, 6:30 PM today.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
June 20
Saturday 6-20-09 J Pod traveled north up San Juan Island, past Turn Pt. continuing to head north. Ruffles J-1 and Granny J-2 were in the lead and they had company - Spock K-20 and Comet K-38! more of the story and pictures on my blog.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
June 20: On the afternoon trip again, J Pod plus K20 & K38 were observed crossing the Strait of Georgia from the East Point of Saturna Island to the Point Roberts/Tsawwassen area. What a day to forget my camera! It was one breach after another as the whales made the crossing, with some individuals repeating the behaviour up to 5 times in a row. One whale managed to get his entire body clear of the water by flicking his tail flukes to the side at the height of his breach! Our passengers could not believe their good fortune - calm waters, groups of whales passing by plus a most amazing aerial display.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch
Js and K20/38, going N at Coal Docks, 6:30 PM today.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
June 20
Saturday 6-20-09 J Pod traveled north up San Juan Island, past Turn Pt. continuing to head north. Ruffles J-1 and Granny J-2 were in the lead and they had company - Spock K-20 and Comet K-38! more of the story and pictures on my blog.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
June 20: On the afternoon trip again, J Pod plus K20 & K38 were observed crossing the Strait of Georgia from the East Point of Saturna Island to the Point Roberts/Tsawwassen area. What a day to forget my camera! It was one breach after another as the whales made the crossing, with some individuals repeating the behaviour up to 5 times in a row. One whale managed to get his entire body clear of the water by flicking his tail flukes to the side at the height of his breach! Our passengers could not believe their good fortune - calm waters, groups of whales passing by plus a most amazing aerial display.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch
SR near Campbel River
June 20
Had some of your Southern Resident friends come through Discovery Passage last night (6/20) headed home! They might be a little skinnier as they had to run the Discovery treadmill, bucking a 7 knot ebb tide and moving through the water at bursts of 14-15 knots! We left them still travelling at 2030 hours in 3 distinct groups. We are guestamating 24-26 animals total. Hope the pics help (see above). Cheers!
Nick Templeman, Discovery Marine Safaris, Campbell River
June 20
15 + Orcas just reported (8:45 pm) heading south past Campbell River, stay tuned for id's.(maybe L's and K's?)
Matthew Ellis, Eagle Eye Adventures, Campbell River
Had some of your Southern Resident friends come through Discovery Passage last night (6/20) headed home! They might be a little skinnier as they had to run the Discovery treadmill, bucking a 7 knot ebb tide and moving through the water at bursts of 14-15 knots! We left them still travelling at 2030 hours in 3 distinct groups. We are guestamating 24-26 animals total. Hope the pics help (see above). Cheers!
Nick Templeman, Discovery Marine Safaris, Campbell River
June 20
15 + Orcas just reported (8:45 pm) heading south past Campbell River, stay tuned for id's.(maybe L's and K's?)
Matthew Ellis, Eagle Eye Adventures, Campbell River
donderdag 18 juni 2009
K20&K38
June 18
Jim Maya of Maya's Westside Charters called to report J pod, the L12s and K20 & K38 looking happy in Race Passage at approx. 7:10 pm. They had been spotted earlier in the day off Jordon River, S. Vancouver Island, heading east.
June 18
Yesterday (6/18) we saw members of J Pod, members of the L-12s subgroup, and we saw Spock K-20 and Comet K-38. Since the L-12s and J Pod have gone separate ways today - 6-19-09 - I am interested in knowing if anyone spotted K-20 and K-38 and if so who were they with - J Pod or the L-12s? Would be interested in finding out. More on my blog post.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
Jim Maya of Maya's Westside Charters called to report J pod, the L12s and K20 & K38 looking happy in Race Passage at approx. 7:10 pm. They had been spotted earlier in the day off Jordon River, S. Vancouver Island, heading east.
June 18
Yesterday (6/18) we saw members of J Pod, members of the L-12s subgroup, and we saw Spock K-20 and Comet K-38. Since the L-12s and J Pod have gone separate ways today - 6-19-09 - I am interested in knowing if anyone spotted K-20 and K-38 and if so who were they with - J Pod or the L-12s? Would be interested in finding out. More on my blog post.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
donderdag 11 juni 2009
K20 & K38
June 11
We had an incredible experience today (6/11) with the L12's and K20 and K38 off San Juan Island, offshore from Cattle Point!! Lots of playing, multiple breaches by K38, and lots of tail lobbing! It's good to have them back! The Picture is K38 breaching.
Gary Sutton, Wild Whales Vancouver
woensdag 10 juni 2009
K38 is a boy!
K38 breaching
From markings on his belly,
he is now identified as a boy!
June 10, 2009
Photo by Jim Maya
June 10
K 38 was jumping a lot today. He seemed much happier to have other Orcas around.
It's a boy! I'm so proud! (Big tears welling in eyes.) Aw shucks, it was nothing. These photos I took today are the first of the underside of K38.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
dinsdag 9 juni 2009
K20 & K38
June 9
Capt. Jim Maya called to report K20 & K38 were up near Active Pass, and heading south toward East Pt, Saturna Island at 6:15 pm.
June 9
Jeff Hogan called to relay reports of orcas off west San Juan Island at 10 am, no ID on who it was at the time. (we believe this was likely K20 & K38, due to other reports)
June 9
The "fearsome twosome", "the dynamic duo", K20 and K38, continue to roam these parts, ending up tonight heading south just outside of the east entrance of Active Pass at 6:15. There was a tremendous amount of Eagle activity in the pass this afternoon.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
June 9
K20 and K38 were spotted off the west side of San Juan Island around 10:30 a.m. Center staff Erin Heydenreich and Emma Foster responded to the sighting and encountered the duo off Battleship Rock (48° 36.980N; 123° 12.211W) at noon. The mother calf pair were traveling slow and tight heading north. The encounter ended at 12:48 pm at Turn Point with the whales continuing north toward Boundary Pass (48° 41.261 N; 123° 14.720 W) .
Capt. Jim Maya called to report K20 & K38 were up near Active Pass, and heading south toward East Pt, Saturna Island at 6:15 pm.
June 9
Jeff Hogan called to relay reports of orcas off west San Juan Island at 10 am, no ID on who it was at the time. (we believe this was likely K20 & K38, due to other reports)
June 9
The "fearsome twosome", "the dynamic duo", K20 and K38, continue to roam these parts, ending up tonight heading south just outside of the east entrance of Active Pass at 6:15. There was a tremendous amount of Eagle activity in the pass this afternoon.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
June 9
K20 and K38 were spotted off the west side of San Juan Island around 10:30 a.m. Center staff Erin Heydenreich and Emma Foster responded to the sighting and encountered the duo off Battleship Rock (48° 36.980N; 123° 12.211W) at noon. The mother calf pair were traveling slow and tight heading north. The encounter ended at 12:48 pm at Turn Point with the whales continuing north toward Boundary Pass (48° 41.261 N; 123° 14.720 W) .
maandag 8 juni 2009
K20 & K38
June 8
I heard that the lonesome twosome (K20 & K38) were at Partridge Pt. headed SE at about 5:30 this evening.
Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
June 8
Orcas by Ebey's Landing (W-Central Whidbey Island) at 4:30 pm - might be more whale watch boats (4) than orcas, hard to tell, slowly moving south.
Al Lunemann, Coupeville
June 8
We went out to try to find the orcas off W. Whidbey, but after several hours of searching gave up with no luck (darn, from Jim's report above, it sounds like they had turned north after the 4:30 sighting, & we were looking S. at that time!). We believe it could've been K20 & K38 (see reports above & below), given the timing & direction of travel from this report. We did see quite a few porpoise off Ebey's Landing and Admiralty Head, but unsure whether they were Dall's or Harbor.
Susan Berta & Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island
June 8
Today we made the long trip across the Strait of Juan de Fuca (it was calm and beautiful!), to see K-20 and K-38 off of Ediz Hook from about 2:15 to 2:30pm. They were traveling southeast with the flooding tide at a fair pace. In my 12 years of observing the SRKW community, I have not seen just 2 whales without the rest of their family, pod, or other community members reportedly in the general area!? We have made many trips these last few weeks, into Haro Strait and I have noticed a lack (not one sighting) of Dall's Porpoises, although we have seen harbor porpoise in all the channels and straits around San Juan Island. Mysteries abound!
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions
June 8
Well, the day started with all sorts of sightings, and it was hard to decipher which one was the most accurate. Early in the day we had reports of K20 & K38 inbound, and a rumor of more whales "somewhere around Race Rocks". Well, the grapevine was buzzing, and it wasn't until later that we figured out that the "other whales" were just K20 & K38 being reported in several different locations. We headed out towards Constance Bank at 1200, but with the large flood tide, we finally saw the whales several miles east of Dungeness at 1330. The mother/calf pair were moving at a fairly good clip, with K38 sometimes ahead of mom, sometimes behind. Both appeared to be in good health and moving well. It was a bit choppy, but everyone was very excited to see the whales, and many questions arose as to why we thought this pair had separated from the rest of the pod. While we have seen matrilines sometimes "do their own thing", this is the first time I've seen a mother/calf separate from the other 4 members of her matriline (especially this pair). The three whale watch boats in the area were all giving them plenty of room and things were going well until we got a call on the radio to move several miles away from our location. Seems the Navy had a submarine they were escorting to Bremerton, so we pulled away. We last saw Spock & Comet heading east at 1420. On the much quicker return trip (thanks to the big flood tide) we had a group of porpoise working a bait ball, and stopped to see if a minke would join the party, but none were seen. A couple of bald eagles fishing in San Juan Channel were the finale for the day.
John Boyd (JB), SSAMN Marine Naturalist, Western Prince
June 8
Well, today (6/8) we left Friday Harbor on the Odyssey and made the long trek south to meet up with the rouge K20 Spock and her calf K38 Comet just off the Dungeness Spit. There and back fellow naturalist Caroline and I had the chance to discuss this unusual occurrence of finding just two southern residents by themselves for at least 3 days now. Several theories popped up - - Maybe political differences with the new matriarch K11 Georgia? An injury or illness keeping them from traveling with the community? Or maybe there is just so few salmon around Spock decided she needed to take care of her calf and start searching for food sans 80 other whales. Are the J's, K's and L's all somewhere together looking for the two missing orcas? Once on scene, we were looking for signs of a peanut head (a sign of starvation) or visible injury, anything to help us explain it all. The two just continued to travel east, not speeding but not milling either. It was a little eerie seeing them out there all alone. We'll probably never know what's going on (leave it to them to stump us yet again!), but it will certainly be interesting to watch events fold over the next several days. Either way our guests were thrilled to see even the two, and you'll probably have a few more orca network newsletter sign ups since they all wanted to know when they'd meet up with the rest of their pod!
Heather Harris, San Juan Excursions
I heard that the lonesome twosome (K20 & K38) were at Partridge Pt. headed SE at about 5:30 this evening.
Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
June 8
Orcas by Ebey's Landing (W-Central Whidbey Island) at 4:30 pm - might be more whale watch boats (4) than orcas, hard to tell, slowly moving south.
Al Lunemann, Coupeville
June 8
We went out to try to find the orcas off W. Whidbey, but after several hours of searching gave up with no luck (darn, from Jim's report above, it sounds like they had turned north after the 4:30 sighting, & we were looking S. at that time!). We believe it could've been K20 & K38 (see reports above & below), given the timing & direction of travel from this report. We did see quite a few porpoise off Ebey's Landing and Admiralty Head, but unsure whether they were Dall's or Harbor.
Susan Berta & Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island
June 8
Today we made the long trip across the Strait of Juan de Fuca (it was calm and beautiful!), to see K-20 and K-38 off of Ediz Hook from about 2:15 to 2:30pm. They were traveling southeast with the flooding tide at a fair pace. In my 12 years of observing the SRKW community, I have not seen just 2 whales without the rest of their family, pod, or other community members reportedly in the general area!? We have made many trips these last few weeks, into Haro Strait and I have noticed a lack (not one sighting) of Dall's Porpoises, although we have seen harbor porpoise in all the channels and straits around San Juan Island. Mysteries abound!
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions
June 8
Well, the day started with all sorts of sightings, and it was hard to decipher which one was the most accurate. Early in the day we had reports of K20 & K38 inbound, and a rumor of more whales "somewhere around Race Rocks". Well, the grapevine was buzzing, and it wasn't until later that we figured out that the "other whales" were just K20 & K38 being reported in several different locations. We headed out towards Constance Bank at 1200, but with the large flood tide, we finally saw the whales several miles east of Dungeness at 1330. The mother/calf pair were moving at a fairly good clip, with K38 sometimes ahead of mom, sometimes behind. Both appeared to be in good health and moving well. It was a bit choppy, but everyone was very excited to see the whales, and many questions arose as to why we thought this pair had separated from the rest of the pod. While we have seen matrilines sometimes "do their own thing", this is the first time I've seen a mother/calf separate from the other 4 members of her matriline (especially this pair). The three whale watch boats in the area were all giving them plenty of room and things were going well until we got a call on the radio to move several miles away from our location. Seems the Navy had a submarine they were escorting to Bremerton, so we pulled away. We last saw Spock & Comet heading east at 1420. On the much quicker return trip (thanks to the big flood tide) we had a group of porpoise working a bait ball, and stopped to see if a minke would join the party, but none were seen. A couple of bald eagles fishing in San Juan Channel were the finale for the day.
John Boyd (JB), SSAMN Marine Naturalist, Western Prince
June 8
Well, today (6/8) we left Friday Harbor on the Odyssey and made the long trek south to meet up with the rouge K20 Spock and her calf K38 Comet just off the Dungeness Spit. There and back fellow naturalist Caroline and I had the chance to discuss this unusual occurrence of finding just two southern residents by themselves for at least 3 days now. Several theories popped up - - Maybe political differences with the new matriarch K11 Georgia? An injury or illness keeping them from traveling with the community? Or maybe there is just so few salmon around Spock decided she needed to take care of her calf and start searching for food sans 80 other whales. Are the J's, K's and L's all somewhere together looking for the two missing orcas? Once on scene, we were looking for signs of a peanut head (a sign of starvation) or visible injury, anything to help us explain it all. The two just continued to travel east, not speeding but not milling either. It was a little eerie seeing them out there all alone. We'll probably never know what's going on (leave it to them to stump us yet again!), but it will certainly be interesting to watch events fold over the next several days. Either way our guests were thrilled to see even the two, and you'll probably have a few more orca network newsletter sign ups since they all wanted to know when they'd meet up with the rest of their pod!
Heather Harris, San Juan Excursions
zondag 7 juni 2009
K20 & K38
K20 & K38
South of False Bay, SJI
June 7, 2009
Photo by Capt. Jim Maya
June 7
Photos from this evening (6/7) of K20 & 38 (see above) at 5:40 ish, headed S, 2.5 M. south of False Bay, San Juan Island.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters
And a comment on Jim Maya's post from yesterday, about these rare instances of several Resident orcas traveling alone:
I read your post on Orca Network regarding K-20 and her calf and your obvious concern for their current situation. Her separation from K pod is not entirely unprecedented. In 1998 (maybe 99) J-22 (Oreo) gave birth to J-34 (Doublestuff). We would find her miles and miles from J pod, traveling at a higher than normal rate of speed every time we saw her, for at least ten days, maybe longer. Eventually, she rejoined J pod without any obvious negative impacts to her or her calf.
All we could think of while watching J-22 and her newborn do laps around San Juan County at 10 knots, was she was a very young mom for an orca in the wild, she was approximately 11 years old. Perhaps she was uncomfortable with this new baby and didn't know how to be a mom.
Whatever the case, both mom and calf appear to be doing well today. J-34 is very very close to the hearts of those who were out there in those days. That little guy had to apply the afterburners at the very start of his life. He showed us a will to survive. We all thought he wasn't going to make it and maybe mom was trying to loose him. None of us ever saw J-22 stop or slow down long enough to nurse, feed herself or rest. She was constantly on the move.
However, seeing K-20 and K-38 by themselves and many miles away from the rest of K pod is troubling and very concerning. Two weeks ago a few of the L- 12's were traveling by themselves, now K-20 and her calf. In addition, J pod being gone for 10 days plus, is something that I don't remember happening during early June.
Tom Averna, Deer Harbor Charters
June 7
I left K20 and K38 2.5 miles S. of False Bay headed in a Southerly direction at 6:30 this evening.
Capt. Jim Maya,
Maya's Westside Charters,
San Juan Island
June 7
Jeff Hogan called to relay he had heard reports of K20 & K38 in the San Juan Island area again today (6/7), still with no other orcas present.
zaterdag 6 juni 2009
K20 & K38
East Pt.
June 6
Photo by Marie O'Shaughnessy
June 6
Two members of K pod were encountered yesterday Saturday June 6th, off East Point (Saturna Island), between 2-2.30pm by the Ocean Magic. It looked like K 20 and her youngster K 38. Conditions were excellent for spotting other orca but alas, none were seen. Where was the rest of this family group I wonder?
Marie, Orca-Magic, Prince Of Whales, Victoria B.C.
June 6
You probably have gotten this by now, but six (likely Ks) Orcas were reprorted at the County Park yesterday morning about 9:00 AM. By the time we got on scene, 10:15, there were two. K20 and a calf, probably K38. They headed N toward Turn Pt. then up Boundry toward the Coal Docks. I last saw them at 3:30. The other four were never seen, as far as I know.
In all my 20 yrs. watching Killer Whales, I've never seen just two SRKW's on their own for such a long time. Several years ago, I saw J1 nip at a female, and for the next few days she and her small line, three offspring as I remember, wandered the Islands by themselves for a week or so. Very interesting.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
vrijdag 22 mei 2009
K13s west of Race Rocks
May 22
K13 family group.
Photo by Marie O'Shaughnessy
May 22
Hi Susan,
Just in from an exciting ride in Mark's Zodiac, west of Race Rocks, where we caught up with the K 13 family group of 6 whales. Mark Malleson had spotted this group on an earlier trip. They were bucking a flood tide with 2-3ft chop at 2pm and moving fast. No time for foraging, although one seem to stall for a moment and possibly catch a fish or two. Plenty of white caps out there, near Church Rock, Sooke where we met up with them. Difficult to see these whales at times and to anticipate where they would surface due to the waves, but a great trip anyhow. We left them heading west still.
Marie, Orca-Magic POW.
donderdag 21 mei 2009
K13s
May 21
We left the J trailers headed N. at Turn Pt. at 6:30 this evening. The K13s headed south at Kellet at 4:15. I would suspect we'll see both groups tomorrow. Could the Ks, having split w the Js, be headed south to meet the rest of the Ks?
Thanks,
Capt. Jim
We left the J trailers headed N. at Turn Pt. at 6:30 this evening. The K13s headed south at Kellet at 4:15. I would suspect we'll see both groups tomorrow. Could the Ks, having split w the Js, be headed south to meet the rest of the Ks?
Thanks,
Capt. Jim
vrijdag 15 mei 2009
May 15
Center for Whale Research staff Dave Ellifrit and Erin Heydenreich responded to J and K pod calls heard on the Lime Kiln hydrophone, early morning on May 15, 2009. J pod and the K13's were encountered off Hannah Heights (48° 32 24 N, 123° 10 14 W) on the west side of San Juan Island at 9:39 a.m. The whales were spread out in groups, traveling North. The whales later came together in a tight group and began resting off Mitchell Bay. The encounter ended at 11:45 a.m. with the whales moving slowly north at (48° 35 03 N, 123° 12 27 W).
Center for Whale Research staff Dave Ellifrit and Erin Heydenreich responded to J and K pod calls heard on the Lime Kiln hydrophone, early morning on May 15, 2009. J pod and the K13's were encountered off Hannah Heights (48° 32 24 N, 123° 10 14 W) on the west side of San Juan Island at 9:39 a.m. The whales were spread out in groups, traveling North. The whales later came together in a tight group and began resting off Mitchell Bay. The encounter ended at 11:45 a.m. with the whales moving slowly north at (48° 35 03 N, 123° 12 27 W).
dinsdag 12 mei 2009
May 12
Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research encountered J's and the K13's (K13, K25, K27, K34, K20, and K38) spread out in tight groups off Spieden Island (48° 38.91 N, 123° 13.67 W) at 5:30 p.m. The whales continued to travel north at a medium pace. The encounter ended off Stewart Island (48° 43.36 N, 123° 14.43 W) at 6:08 p.m. The whales were spread out across Haro Strait heading up Swanson Channel.
Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research encountered J's and the K13's (K13, K25, K27, K34, K20, and K38) spread out in tight groups off Spieden Island (48° 38.91 N, 123° 13.67 W) at 5:30 p.m. The whales continued to travel north at a medium pace. The encounter ended off Stewart Island (48° 43.36 N, 123° 14.43 W) at 6:08 p.m. The whales were spread out across Haro Strait heading up Swanson Channel.
zondag 10 mei 2009
May 10
I honestly didn't realize just how much I had missed the Southern Residents until their dorsal fins and exhalations came into view just south of Lummi Rocks. My entire being was trembling as we slowly approached seeing the tall dorsal with the unmistakable wavy trailing edge belonging to none other than Ruffles! Quickly I began searching out Granny and it was no surprise that Ruffles was being a "good son" on this beautiful Mother's Day staying very close to J2 (see photo above) . Then a flash of the most beautiful orange caught my eye- it was little J45 surfacing by Samish and surrounded by the rest of their family (see photo on Orca Network's Photo Page)! I can't describe just how amazed I was to see the growth the youngster has gone through in the past few months. 11 year old Doublestuff (J34) is really coming into his own as well as Riptide (J30). Not to mention seeing Echo (J42) in contrast to the newest members of J Pod, to think she was that small only 2 years ago! I was able to identify a handful of K Pod whales that were amongst J Pod (Spock K20, Comet K38, and Scoter K25). There were others, but I was unable to get clear photos for identification. Happy Mother's Day to all - it seemed that the Orca mom's were celebrating too! All the best,
Kate Janes, Naturalist, Island Adventures
May 10
Jeff Lamarche and I had J's & K's from 1600-1830 today heading NW up Rosario. After passing through Obstruction Pass, nearing Lawrence Pt (Orcas Island) we found out that J's & Ks turned around and headed NW rather than come down Rosario which is what they were doing previously. I left them 3 miles NW of Sucia Island at 1845 when the rain began.
Brenden Onorato, Seafun Safaris
I honestly didn't realize just how much I had missed the Southern Residents until their dorsal fins and exhalations came into view just south of Lummi Rocks. My entire being was trembling as we slowly approached seeing the tall dorsal with the unmistakable wavy trailing edge belonging to none other than Ruffles! Quickly I began searching out Granny and it was no surprise that Ruffles was being a "good son" on this beautiful Mother's Day staying very close to J2 (see photo above) . Then a flash of the most beautiful orange caught my eye- it was little J45 surfacing by Samish and surrounded by the rest of their family (see photo on Orca Network's Photo Page)! I can't describe just how amazed I was to see the growth the youngster has gone through in the past few months. 11 year old Doublestuff (J34) is really coming into his own as well as Riptide (J30). Not to mention seeing Echo (J42) in contrast to the newest members of J Pod, to think she was that small only 2 years ago! I was able to identify a handful of K Pod whales that were amongst J Pod (Spock K20, Comet K38, and Scoter K25). There were others, but I was unable to get clear photos for identification. Happy Mother's Day to all - it seemed that the Orca mom's were celebrating too! All the best,
Kate Janes, Naturalist, Island Adventures
May 10
Jeff Lamarche and I had J's & K's from 1600-1830 today heading NW up Rosario. After passing through Obstruction Pass, nearing Lawrence Pt (Orcas Island) we found out that J's & Ks turned around and headed NW rather than come down Rosario which is what they were doing previously. I left them 3 miles NW of Sucia Island at 1845 when the rain began.
Brenden Onorato, Seafun Safaris
dinsdag 5 mei 2009
Ks near San Juan Island
May 5
I left J pod and, at least, the K13's at 2030 heading north at Lime Liln spread out in small groups.The whales were too spread out and I didn't have enough light to find everybody but both calves were looking good and I saw K13, K25, K27, and K34 mixed in with the J's.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
I left J pod and, at least, the K13's at 2030 heading north at Lime Liln spread out in small groups.The whales were too spread out and I didn't have enough light to find everybody but both calves were looking good and I saw K13, K25, K27, and K34 mixed in with the J's.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
maandag 4 mei 2009
K's arrived with J pod?
May 4
Anyone who was out there today, did you see any other K Pod whales?. I took a pic from shore at about 12:20 as the whales were going north, just north of Andrews Bay - they looked like they were coming across the strait and heading up - they were way far out and the only identifiable image I got was K-20. I wondered because I hadn't heard any talk of Ks but Dave at the Center verified it.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
There have been some 2nd hand reports of K pod calls being heard on CWR Hydrophones as well - SB
May 4
Sharon Grace of San Juan Island called at 11:10 am to report K's and/or L's in a resting pattern south of San Juan Island.
Anyone who was out there today, did you see any other K Pod whales?. I took a pic from shore at about 12:20 as the whales were going north, just north of Andrews Bay - they looked like they were coming across the strait and heading up - they were way far out and the only identifiable image I got was K-20. I wondered because I hadn't heard any talk of Ks but Dave at the Center verified it.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
There have been some 2nd hand reports of K pod calls being heard on CWR Hydrophones as well - SB
May 4
Sharon Grace of San Juan Island called at 11:10 am to report K's and/or L's in a resting pattern south of San Juan Island.
vrijdag 6 februari 2009
Superpod off Victoria
Orca Network received an update on the superpod off Victoria from Mark Malleson with Prince of Whales. J pod was reported inbound off Race Rocks at 11 am. Mark took a look from land and realized it was all three pods, then headed out to try to find out who all was there. He was with them from 1400 - 1600, and confirmed IDs for L41 & the L11s, with many more whales present, ID's to come soon. The whales were milling and foraging, and came within a mile of the Ogden Pt. breakwater, Victoria. At 1416 the majority of the whales seemed to be heading SW.
Orca Nework received a call from Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research, with the great news that J, K & L pods were off the Victoria waterfront at 2:30 pm! Ken headed out to do a survey of the pods, and hopefully we'll have more details on ID's soon.
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Orca Nework received a call from Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research, with the great news that J, K & L pods were off the Victoria waterfront at 2:30 pm! Ken headed out to do a survey of the pods, and hopefully we'll have more details on ID's soon.
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