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.

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

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).

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.

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

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

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.