3 June 2008, The Centre for Whale Reseach reports±
June 3, 2008
J, K, and L pods
Platform: Orca
Departed Snug Harbor: 10:51 a.m.
Begin Encounter: 11:24 p.m.
Start Lat: 48° 31.981 N
Start Long: 123° 10.009 W
End Encounter: 3:58 p.m.
End Lat: 48° 41.81 N
End Long: 123° 14.51 W
Returned to Snug Harbor: 4:32 p.m.
Observers: Kelley Balcomb-Bartok and Erin Heydenreich
Having not been seen since January 27, 2008 off Monterey, California, and Sekiu, Washington, February 29, 2008, members of Kpod and Lpod returned to the San Juan Islands June 3, 2008. The whales were first reported off the south end of San Juan Island at around 8 a.m., then slowly travelled north up the coast of the island in tight social groups. Center for Whale Research staff encountered the whales off Bellevue Point as they swam in three large, tight and tactile groups very close to the shoreline. Staff confirmed that members of Kpod and Lpod were among the playful social groups, though it has not been determined yet if all the whales from the Southern Resident population were present. During the encounter a small calf was observed swimming in close proximity to sisters K14 and K16, both reproductive age females. Later in the encounter staff determined that the calf was indeed a new calf in K-pod, and observed the calf primarily travelling very near K14 and her older offspring K26 and K36.
dinsdag 3 juni 2008
woensdag 28 mei 2008
28 May 2008, Orcanetwork report:
We heard J pod on orcasound at Lime Kiln at 9:43 AM.
Susan and Howard, Orca Network
*
Beam Reach was with orcas (likely J pod) today, beginning west of Iceberg Pt, S. Lopez Island (Latitude:48.5302 Longitude:-123.1706) at 1515, moving W/NW. Their last report was north of Lime Kiln, west San Juan Island at 1642 (Latitude 48.5302 Longitude:-123.1706 ).
*
J pod, Lime Kiln, 22 members of J pod milling entered the study area heading north at 1516, leaving the study area at 1605. These whales were accompanied by two boats in the study area, one a CG cutter, 755 yds. out at 1601. There were 10 boats accompanying them just outside the study area. 9 tailslaps and 6 cartwheels recorded. Considerable vocalization.
Bob Otis
*
J pod - Pender Island, between 7:30pm and 8:45pm, we observed members of J-Pod pass Thieves Bay on Pender Island. We were on shore and counted 19-20 orcas in total. They were well spread out, heading north and with J26 leading the way. A female and calf followed quite close behind him (J16 and J42?). A little ways behind these three were another female and, what appeared to be, another calf. The first whales were travelling quite quickly, but as more swam by their behaviours varied: some obvious foraging, several pec and tail slaps, a couple of breaches and one spy hop. Most of the pod were a fair distance offshore so identification was difficult. J1 was seen 1000 metres offshore close to the back of the group. J34 was the only other male that we were able to specifically ID, but at least one other was present. There wasn't a single power or sailboat in sight, well there was one whale watching boat near Oaks Bluff, but it left before J-Pod reached Thieves Bay.
Richard Philpot, Pender Island
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J pod - Pender Island 2025 . We just had three whales off our property on Mouat Point, North Pender Island. The male has a definite Port side bend to the dorsal fin, the other two appeared to be smaller, with smaller dorsal fins; females or juveniles? They were feeding and there was one huge leap before they continued Northwestward up Swanson Channel. Oops, just caught the sounds and brief sight of 3 or 4 more, following the first group. no id of any.
Marti Tilley
We heard J pod on orcasound at Lime Kiln at 9:43 AM.
Susan and Howard, Orca Network
*
Beam Reach was with orcas (likely J pod) today, beginning west of Iceberg Pt, S. Lopez Island (Latitude:48.5302 Longitude:-123.1706) at 1515, moving W/NW. Their last report was north of Lime Kiln, west San Juan Island at 1642 (Latitude 48.5302 Longitude:-123.1706 ).
*
J pod, Lime Kiln, 22 members of J pod milling entered the study area heading north at 1516, leaving the study area at 1605. These whales were accompanied by two boats in the study area, one a CG cutter, 755 yds. out at 1601. There were 10 boats accompanying them just outside the study area. 9 tailslaps and 6 cartwheels recorded. Considerable vocalization.
Bob Otis
*
J pod - Pender Island, between 7:30pm and 8:45pm, we observed members of J-Pod pass Thieves Bay on Pender Island. We were on shore and counted 19-20 orcas in total. They were well spread out, heading north and with J26 leading the way. A female and calf followed quite close behind him (J16 and J42?). A little ways behind these three were another female and, what appeared to be, another calf. The first whales were travelling quite quickly, but as more swam by their behaviours varied: some obvious foraging, several pec and tail slaps, a couple of breaches and one spy hop. Most of the pod were a fair distance offshore so identification was difficult. J1 was seen 1000 metres offshore close to the back of the group. J34 was the only other male that we were able to specifically ID, but at least one other was present. There wasn't a single power or sailboat in sight, well there was one whale watching boat near Oaks Bluff, but it left before J-Pod reached Thieves Bay.
Richard Philpot, Pender Island
*
J pod - Pender Island 2025 . We just had three whales off our property on Mouat Point, North Pender Island. The male has a definite Port side bend to the dorsal fin, the other two appeared to be smaller, with smaller dorsal fins; females or juveniles? They were feeding and there was one huge leap before they continued Northwestward up Swanson Channel. Oops, just caught the sounds and brief sight of 3 or 4 more, following the first group. no id of any.
Marti Tilley
dinsdag 27 mei 2008
27 May 2008, Orcanetwork Reports:
It's 0030 as I write this but I'm not hearing anything on the hydrophones.
A few minutes later: Just as I sent that previous email through I began to hear J pod calls on the Orca Sound hydrophone! It's 12:39am Tues 27th May and I can just hear them over the cargo ship going by.
Tim Hunt Orca Spirit Naturalist/former Beam Reach student
*
We headed straight for Point Roberts in hopes of meeting J-Pod who was at the coal docks and traveling south towards the Rosario Strait. We got positive ID's on J-1, J-2, J-16, J-42, J-26, and J-11. J-26, aka Mike, also breached over five times right in front of us! They were spy hopping, pec slapping, tail lobbing, breaching, and cartwheeling about.
Megan Young, naturalist (San Juan Safaris)
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We started our trip today with the news that J-pod was up at Sandy Point (near Vancouver BC) and heading north. Eventually Ivan said it looks good and off we went to Point Roberts. As we all eagerly searched for dorsal fins alas there was J1. It was almost as if he wanted to make sure we saw him. He logged on the surface for 2 minutes; you could not miss him. He did this a few times before joining up with J26 & J27 for some male bonding.
Alison Engle, Naturalist, Western Prince Cruises, Friday Harbor, WA
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Capt. Jim Maya called to report J pod 1 mile off the east tip of Pt. Roberts at 3:30 pm, heading south down Rosario, maybe toward Boundary Pass.
It's 0030 as I write this but I'm not hearing anything on the hydrophones.
A few minutes later: Just as I sent that previous email through I began to hear J pod calls on the Orca Sound hydrophone! It's 12:39am Tues 27th May and I can just hear them over the cargo ship going by.
Tim Hunt Orca Spirit Naturalist/former Beam Reach student
*
We headed straight for Point Roberts in hopes of meeting J-Pod who was at the coal docks and traveling south towards the Rosario Strait. We got positive ID's on J-1, J-2, J-16, J-42, J-26, and J-11. J-26, aka Mike, also breached over five times right in front of us! They were spy hopping, pec slapping, tail lobbing, breaching, and cartwheeling about.
Megan Young, naturalist (San Juan Safaris)
*
We started our trip today with the news that J-pod was up at Sandy Point (near Vancouver BC) and heading north. Eventually Ivan said it looks good and off we went to Point Roberts. As we all eagerly searched for dorsal fins alas there was J1. It was almost as if he wanted to make sure we saw him. He logged on the surface for 2 minutes; you could not miss him. He did this a few times before joining up with J26 & J27 for some male bonding.
Alison Engle, Naturalist, Western Prince Cruises, Friday Harbor, WA
*
Capt. Jim Maya called to report J pod 1 mile off the east tip of Pt. Roberts at 3:30 pm, heading south down Rosario, maybe toward Boundary Pass.
maandag 26 mei 2008
26 May 2008, Orcanetwork Report:
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research relayed a report of J pod off Sheringham Pt. (So. Vancouver Island), heading west out of the Strait of Juan de Fuca at about 1:30 pm.
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J Pod heading back in! They made it to Sheringham Pt. before turning around. Should be near San Juan late tonight! (Later) Hearing vocals of J's at 11:30 PM!!! YIPPEEE!
John Boyd (JB) Marine Naturalist, Western Prince
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Just letting you know that we left J pod at 1940 , and they were about 5 miles south of the entrance to Victoria Harbor, heading east. They were all within a 1/2 mile of each other, travelling slowly east. Seems as though they turned around at about 1400 and headed back east along the coast of southern Vancouver Island. Perhaps we'll see them back around San Juan in the morning.
Tim Hunt Orca Spirit Naturalist/former Beam Reach student
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Jpod coming back East at 1730 off Sooke.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research relayed a report of J pod off Sheringham Pt. (So. Vancouver Island), heading west out of the Strait of Juan de Fuca at about 1:30 pm.
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J Pod heading back in! They made it to Sheringham Pt. before turning around. Should be near San Juan late tonight! (Later) Hearing vocals of J's at 11:30 PM!!! YIPPEEE!
John Boyd (JB) Marine Naturalist, Western Prince
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Just letting you know that we left J pod at 1940 , and they were about 5 miles south of the entrance to Victoria Harbor, heading east. They were all within a 1/2 mile of each other, travelling slowly east. Seems as though they turned around at about 1400 and headed back east along the coast of southern Vancouver Island. Perhaps we'll see them back around San Juan in the morning.
Tim Hunt Orca Spirit Naturalist/former Beam Reach student
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Jpod coming back East at 1730 off Sooke.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.
zondag 25 mei 2008
25 May 2008, Orca Network reports:
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Beam Reach was with orcas (likely J pod) today, beginning west of Iceberg Pt, S. Lopez Island (Latitude:48.4212 Longitude:-122.9184) at 1515, moving W/NW.
Their last report was north of Lime Kiln, west San Juan Island at 1748 (Latitude:48.5278 Longitude:-123.178).
Lime Kiln, 16:56 - J pod milling/north - 9 members of J pod passed through the study area beginning at 1656 heading north. Three powerboats accompanied them. Left the study area at 1732. 17:52 - J pod turned around north of the study area and reentered the study area heading south at 1752. At least 22 members of J pod were seen, at least 7 of whom passed by close to the kelp. 5 powerboats accompanied these whales, with one approaching within 50 yards of the whales about 1834. 1850 was the reported time the last whale left the study area heading south. At 1855, 4 more whales, including J30, passed by just outside the kelp, heading south.
Bob Otis, Lime Kiln, west San Juan Island
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*
Beam Reach was with orcas (likely J pod) today, beginning west of Iceberg Pt, S. Lopez Island (Latitude:48.4212 Longitude:-122.9184) at 1515, moving W/NW.
Their last report was north of Lime Kiln, west San Juan Island at 1748 (Latitude:48.5278 Longitude:-123.178).
Lime Kiln, 16:56 - J pod milling/north - 9 members of J pod passed through the study area beginning at 1656 heading north. Three powerboats accompanied them. Left the study area at 1732. 17:52 - J pod turned around north of the study area and reentered the study area heading south at 1752. At least 22 members of J pod were seen, at least 7 of whom passed by close to the kelp. 5 powerboats accompanied these whales, with one approaching within 50 yards of the whales about 1834. 1850 was the reported time the last whale left the study area heading south. At 1855, 4 more whales, including J30, passed by just outside the kelp, heading south.
Bob Otis, Lime Kiln, west San Juan Island
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zaterdag 24 mei 2008
24 May 2008, Orca Network reports:
We had an incredible day with J Pod today! The afternoon was spent off South Beach watching five whales as they headed south and toward Salmon Bank Buoy. They did a lot of traveling south, then foraging and heading out into Haro Strait, only to turn and work back toward the beach. These were all J Pod females and youngsters.
On our evening trip we found J Pod, grouped up and traveling around the south eastern tip of Lopez Island. The question was, will they go across Rosario and toward Deception Pass? Or up Rosario Strait? The whales got really active as they rounded the tip of Lopez. Then they split a little into sub groups, and yes! They headed up Rosario Strait! The evening light was outstanding, the water was calm, and the puffing breaths of these amazing animals very clear. There were many tail slaps, a few breaches, some spy hopping, then more speedy travel. Ruffles had quite a crowd around him as he majestically came to the surface, and then slowly disappeared - going down, down, down. Another sub group with Polaris, J-28 was on the flank. On this surprisingly warm afternoon - evening it was such a pleasure to watch the whole family head north with good energy. It was easy to spot J-26, J-30, J-19, J-41, as well as J-16 and J-42.
We left the J's at Bird Rocks in Rosario Strait at 6:35 p.m. and headed back to the west to Friday Harbor.
~Nan Simpson Naturalist - Western Prince Cruises
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Beautiful flat day on the water. Extraordinary ballet of J Pod today off Salmon Bank . J-Pod reported north bound near Cyprus Island, seen off the ferry around 7:00p.m. this evening. Report called in by Mary Masters on her return home ferry trip, after winter. She works for Monterey Aquarium, is a volunteer for the MRC also works for Orcas Island Eclipse Charters as a naturalist.
Denise Wilk, Orcas Island
We had an incredible day with J Pod today! The afternoon was spent off South Beach watching five whales as they headed south and toward Salmon Bank Buoy. They did a lot of traveling south, then foraging and heading out into Haro Strait, only to turn and work back toward the beach. These were all J Pod females and youngsters.
On our evening trip we found J Pod, grouped up and traveling around the south eastern tip of Lopez Island. The question was, will they go across Rosario and toward Deception Pass? Or up Rosario Strait? The whales got really active as they rounded the tip of Lopez. Then they split a little into sub groups, and yes! They headed up Rosario Strait! The evening light was outstanding, the water was calm, and the puffing breaths of these amazing animals very clear. There were many tail slaps, a few breaches, some spy hopping, then more speedy travel. Ruffles had quite a crowd around him as he majestically came to the surface, and then slowly disappeared - going down, down, down. Another sub group with Polaris, J-28 was on the flank. On this surprisingly warm afternoon - evening it was such a pleasure to watch the whole family head north with good energy. It was easy to spot J-26, J-30, J-19, J-41, as well as J-16 and J-42.
We left the J's at Bird Rocks in Rosario Strait at 6:35 p.m. and headed back to the west to Friday Harbor.
~Nan Simpson Naturalist - Western Prince Cruises
*
Beautiful flat day on the water. Extraordinary ballet of J Pod today off Salmon Bank . J-Pod reported north bound near Cyprus Island, seen off the ferry around 7:00p.m. this evening. Report called in by Mary Masters on her return home ferry trip, after winter. She works for Monterey Aquarium, is a volunteer for the MRC also works for Orcas Island Eclipse Charters as a naturalist.
Denise Wilk, Orcas Island
24 May 2008, Orca Network reports:
J-Pod was foraging on the southwest side (near salmon bank) and we got an incredible show. The sun was shining, the air was warm, the sea was calm, and J-Pod was active! It was orca paradise out there on the water and our Memorial weekend guests had a one-of-a-kind experience.
The Sea Lion began our encounter watching three females, but then turned closer to shore to be with the Kittiwake and a group of orcas they were observing. J-28, J-26, J-14, and J-42 were all confirmed in this group and just as we were approaching the Kittiwake an orca exploded out of the water in one of the closest breaches we've had yet! The whale conveniently jumped about 115 yards off the port side of the Kittiwake and about 150 yards in front of the Sea Lion!!! We believe it was J-26 who breached, but it happened so suddenly that we didn't get the greatest look at who it was. J-Pod has been good to us lately and we send them many thanks for such a great show!
Megan Young, Naturalist with San Juan Safaris
J-Pod was foraging on the southwest side (near salmon bank) and we got an incredible show. The sun was shining, the air was warm, the sea was calm, and J-Pod was active! It was orca paradise out there on the water and our Memorial weekend guests had a one-of-a-kind experience.
The Sea Lion began our encounter watching three females, but then turned closer to shore to be with the Kittiwake and a group of orcas they were observing. J-28, J-26, J-14, and J-42 were all confirmed in this group and just as we were approaching the Kittiwake an orca exploded out of the water in one of the closest breaches we've had yet! The whale conveniently jumped about 115 yards off the port side of the Kittiwake and about 150 yards in front of the Sea Lion!!! We believe it was J-26 who breached, but it happened so suddenly that we didn't get the greatest look at who it was. J-Pod has been good to us lately and we send them many thanks for such a great show!
Megan Young, Naturalist with San Juan Safaris
vrijdag 23 mei 2008
May 23 Orca Network reports:
Lime Kiln - 7 members of J pod passed through the study area milling, beginning at 1137 heading north. Turned around at 1210, headed south in the study area. 4 kayaks and two powerboats accompanied them.
Bob Otis
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On May 23th at 2155 PDT I've hear J pod calling on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone. At 22:00there was some echo location. The calls, mostly S1, continues until 22.43 PDT.
Jan van Twillert Netherlands
http://www.orcinusorca.nl
Lime Kiln - 7 members of J pod passed through the study area milling, beginning at 1137 heading north. Turned around at 1210, headed south in the study area. 4 kayaks and two powerboats accompanied them.
Bob Otis
*
On May 23th at 2155 PDT I've hear J pod calling on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone. At 22:00there was some echo location. The calls, mostly S1, continues until 22.43 PDT.
Jan van Twillert Netherlands
http://www.orcinusorca.nl
dinsdag 20 mei 2008
maandag 19 mei 2008
19 May 2008, Orca Network reports:
1100 - J pod was heading east off Iceberg.
Peter Hamilton
Lifewatch Boater Awareness Program
Life Whale and Dolphin Hotline
We saw just part of J pod off Iceberg Point, Lopez Island yesterday at about noon - I know we saw J26, J27, J30 (whose fin has really sprouted!), J16 with calf J42. Not sure who else was with this group, we did not see J1. A wonderful quiet day with them as they were moving slowly, spent a lot of time at the surface and were making their way south/southwest when we left them.
Darcie Larson
Naturalist on Clipper III
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We had a report of a small group of orcas (appx. 6-7) near Iceberg (Lopez Island). It was part of J-Pod! We had J14, J26, J27, J30, J40 and 2 others just rolling around on top of one another, pushing each other around, rolling in kelp, logging on the surface, sticking their noses out of the water, tail lobbing, and a couple of large surface percussives. Our afternoon trip we had J16, J26, and J42 about 8 miles south of the morning location (the rest of J-Pod was spread out over a 5-7 mile radius) and again it was so neat to see a family grouping just milling about somewhat aimlessly in the glassy waters. J42 gave us quite the treat as he breached 6 times!
John Boyd (JB)
Marine Naturalist, Western Prince
1100 - J pod was heading east off Iceberg.
Peter Hamilton
Lifewatch Boater Awareness Program
Life Whale and Dolphin Hotline
We saw just part of J pod off Iceberg Point, Lopez Island yesterday at about noon - I know we saw J26, J27, J30 (whose fin has really sprouted!), J16 with calf J42. Not sure who else was with this group, we did not see J1. A wonderful quiet day with them as they were moving slowly, spent a lot of time at the surface and were making their way south/southwest when we left them.
Darcie Larson
Naturalist on Clipper III
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We had a report of a small group of orcas (appx. 6-7) near Iceberg (Lopez Island). It was part of J-Pod! We had J14, J26, J27, J30, J40 and 2 others just rolling around on top of one another, pushing each other around, rolling in kelp, logging on the surface, sticking their noses out of the water, tail lobbing, and a couple of large surface percussives. Our afternoon trip we had J16, J26, and J42 about 8 miles south of the morning location (the rest of J-Pod was spread out over a 5-7 mile radius) and again it was so neat to see a family grouping just milling about somewhat aimlessly in the glassy waters. J42 gave us quite the treat as he breached 6 times!
John Boyd (JB)
Marine Naturalist, Western Prince
zondag 18 mei 2008
18 May Orca Network reports
At 5AM a report came into our Hotline about orcas Heading North off Point Roberts. At 0645 I saw the end of some orcas moving fast Heading South off the Point. So did I miss Js? No. At 0845 a large number of orcas were also Heading South. This time some breaches 100 feet off shore. While Whale Watch Companies first found Js at Alden Bank at 1145 I was miles north of them with other Js. They all went into Rosario and I left them spread out in calm waters just East of Java Rocks at 1645.
Peter Hamilton
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1:30-2:30 ish p.m. - J pod off Lummi Island - very very spread out and heading south towards Rosario Strait and Lummi Rocks - couple of good size sprouter boys out there - wow!
Penny Stone
Lummi Island
At 5AM a report came into our Hotline about orcas Heading North off Point Roberts. At 0645 I saw the end of some orcas moving fast Heading South off the Point. So did I miss Js? No. At 0845 a large number of orcas were also Heading South. This time some breaches 100 feet off shore. While Whale Watch Companies first found Js at Alden Bank at 1145 I was miles north of them with other Js. They all went into Rosario and I left them spread out in calm waters just East of Java Rocks at 1645.
Peter Hamilton
*
1:30-2:30 ish p.m. - J pod off Lummi Island - very very spread out and heading south towards Rosario Strait and Lummi Rocks - couple of good size sprouter boys out there - wow!
Penny Stone
Lummi Island
zaterdag 17 mei 2008
17 May 2008, Orca Network reports:
J pod was here. The pod traveled up west San Juan Island in the morning, turned around at Lime Kiln and made wonderfully close passes along the beach. Many calf spyhops, almost as many adult spyhops, lots of the spyhops? where they come way out of the water and fall backwards, tail lobs, tail slaps, and rolling over and rolling over each other. J27 (Blackberry) was doing many angled dives seemingly right on top of other whales. As they went south in the afternoon fighting the flood tide, they swam in place in some of the rip currents for up to half an hour or more. It seemed they were exhibiting lots of the behaviors you see in superpods.
Sharon Grace, San Juan Island
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J POD passing by Andrews Bay at 8:30 PM heading north very slowly. I was on my way out around 7:30 but the water got pretty rough, but by the time I saw them at 8:30, the water was flat calm again. Last saw them passing Kellett Bluff still going north!
John Boyd (JB), Chore-Bound Naturalist
J pod was here. The pod traveled up west San Juan Island in the morning, turned around at Lime Kiln and made wonderfully close passes along the beach. Many calf spyhops, almost as many adult spyhops, lots of the spyhops? where they come way out of the water and fall backwards, tail lobs, tail slaps, and rolling over and rolling over each other. J27 (Blackberry) was doing many angled dives seemingly right on top of other whales. As they went south in the afternoon fighting the flood tide, they swam in place in some of the rip currents for up to half an hour or more. It seemed they were exhibiting lots of the behaviors you see in superpods.
Sharon Grace, San Juan Island
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J POD passing by Andrews Bay at 8:30 PM heading north very slowly. I was on my way out around 7:30 but the water got pretty rough, but by the time I saw them at 8:30, the water was flat calm again. Last saw them passing Kellett Bluff still going north!
John Boyd (JB), Chore-Bound Naturalist
vrijdag 16 mei 2008
16 May 2008, Orca network reports:
At about 1240, while surveying for marbled murrelets from R/V Rosi, I came across J pod passing by Iceberg Point heading towards San Juan Island. They were moving at about 5kts in classic "groups spread out" formation, probably occupying at least one square mile of water. I was able to see J19, J41, J16, J36, and J42 together with J26 a bit farther out, followed by the J11's, then the J22's and J17's together, while what I'm assuming were all of the J14's passed by about .5 miles away (I could only confirm J30 but he was with two other female-sized and a juvenile, which would make sense). Other animals were passing by well outside of binocular range. We left them as they were passing Long Island and approaching Middle Channel.
-Adam Ü USFS/CWR
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Thanks to Jim's email, we tuned into OrcaSound and heard orca calls from 8:51-8:56 am, then a large ship passed by & the calls stopped.
Susan & Howard, Orca Network
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We are seeing J Pod right out in front of my house, just south of Henry Island, headed north.Summer is here for a couple of days. 0836 hrs.
Capt. Jim Maya, San Juan Island
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We watched J pod foraging and playing a few miles off Saturna heading eastward towards Point Roberts. We got great looks at J-1 and J-26 as well as a group of unidentified J-Pod females. They seemed to be in high spirits and breached and spy hopped multiple times. We even got looks at a dozen Steller Sea Lions hauled out on Boiling Reef as well as Harbor Seals hauled out nearby.
Megan Young, naturalist (San Juan Safaris)
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Js past East Point at approx. 2PM Heading towards Point Roberts.
Peter hamilton
At about 1240, while surveying for marbled murrelets from R/V Rosi, I came across J pod passing by Iceberg Point heading towards San Juan Island. They were moving at about 5kts in classic "groups spread out" formation, probably occupying at least one square mile of water. I was able to see J19, J41, J16, J36, and J42 together with J26 a bit farther out, followed by the J11's, then the J22's and J17's together, while what I'm assuming were all of the J14's passed by about .5 miles away (I could only confirm J30 but he was with two other female-sized and a juvenile, which would make sense). Other animals were passing by well outside of binocular range. We left them as they were passing Long Island and approaching Middle Channel.
-Adam Ü USFS/CWR
*
Thanks to Jim's email, we tuned into OrcaSound and heard orca calls from 8:51-8:56 am, then a large ship passed by & the calls stopped.
Susan & Howard, Orca Network
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We are seeing J Pod right out in front of my house, just south of Henry Island, headed north.Summer is here for a couple of days. 0836 hrs.
Capt. Jim Maya, San Juan Island
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We watched J pod foraging and playing a few miles off Saturna heading eastward towards Point Roberts. We got great looks at J-1 and J-26 as well as a group of unidentified J-Pod females. They seemed to be in high spirits and breached and spy hopped multiple times. We even got looks at a dozen Steller Sea Lions hauled out on Boiling Reef as well as Harbor Seals hauled out nearby.
Megan Young, naturalist (San Juan Safaris)
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Js past East Point at approx. 2PM Heading towards Point Roberts.
Peter hamilton
donderdag 15 mei 2008
Js traveling south west of San Juan Island
15 May 2008,Orcanetwork report
Bill Applegate called Orca Network to report at least 2 orcas, observed from Joseph Whidbey State Park from 10-10:15 am. They were between NW Whidbey and Lopez Island, way out in the channel, heading SW toward Smith Island. There was one adult male and one female. The timing is right that this could have been some of the J's coming down from up north before swinging up the west side of SJI - Sb
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2:20 pm: I just talked to Captain Pete on the Odyssey and they are with J Pod (2:00pm) about ½ mile south of the Lime Kiln lighthouse on the Westside of San Juan Island.
Erin Ancich, San Juan Excursions
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Update at 3:25 pm: We have confirmation. We saw J19, J41, J16, J36 and J42 ½ mile south of the lighthouse on the West Side of San Juan Island.
Captain Pete, Odyssey,
Erin Ancich, San Juan Excursions
Bill Applegate called Orca Network to report at least 2 orcas, observed from Joseph Whidbey State Park from 10-10:15 am. They were between NW Whidbey and Lopez Island, way out in the channel, heading SW toward Smith Island. There was one adult male and one female. The timing is right that this could have been some of the J's coming down from up north before swinging up the west side of SJI - Sb
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2:20 pm: I just talked to Captain Pete on the Odyssey and they are with J Pod (2:00pm) about ½ mile south of the Lime Kiln lighthouse on the Westside of San Juan Island.
Erin Ancich, San Juan Excursions
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Update at 3:25 pm: We have confirmation. We saw J19, J41, J16, J36 and J42 ½ mile south of the lighthouse on the West Side of San Juan Island.
Captain Pete, Odyssey,
Erin Ancich, San Juan Excursions
woensdag 14 mei 2008
Js in Enterprise Channel
14 May 2008, Orca Network reports:
J's are apparently in Enterprise Channel heading north at 1225.
Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
*
I've heard we had transients out today, and J-Pod was heading back north up Swanson, and through Active Pass.
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Friday Harbor
*
We found J-Pod coming through Active Pass at 1:15 p.m. We had heard that they were near Enterprise Reef up at the top of Swanson's Channel, so our route today took us to the east entrance of Active Pass in the Strait of Georgia. We decided to wait in Miner Bay and as soon as we settled in, we sighted a huge breach as the lead whale came "around the bend" in Active Pass. Most of the whales stuck close to the north side of the pass, with a few stops for foraging off the ferry landing. We floated along in the current, watching as what must have been the entire family, picked up speed and moved on, out into the Strait of Georgia. Ruffles and Granny went way up to the north, an outer escort of two? The rest of J-Pod moved along in smaller sub pod groups, stopping to tail slap, pec slap, do a few belly rolls, and then continue on across toward the Fraser River. As we left, about 2:15 p.m., I noticed J-26, Mike, as he stopped to do a fast turn around, some foraging behavior, and then onward toward the river.
~Nan Simpson, Western Prince
*
J's are apparently in Enterprise Channel heading north at 1225.
Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
*
I've heard we had transients out today, and J-Pod was heading back north up Swanson, and through Active Pass.
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Friday Harbor
*
We found J-Pod coming through Active Pass at 1:15 p.m. We had heard that they were near Enterprise Reef up at the top of Swanson's Channel, so our route today took us to the east entrance of Active Pass in the Strait of Georgia. We decided to wait in Miner Bay and as soon as we settled in, we sighted a huge breach as the lead whale came "around the bend" in Active Pass. Most of the whales stuck close to the north side of the pass, with a few stops for foraging off the ferry landing. We floated along in the current, watching as what must have been the entire family, picked up speed and moved on, out into the Strait of Georgia. Ruffles and Granny went way up to the north, an outer escort of two? The rest of J-Pod moved along in smaller sub pod groups, stopping to tail slap, pec slap, do a few belly rolls, and then continue on across toward the Fraser River. As we left, about 2:15 p.m., I noticed J-26, Mike, as he stopped to do a fast turn around, some foraging behavior, and then onward toward the river.
~Nan Simpson, Western Prince
*
dinsdag 13 mei 2008
Beam Reach students observed J pod
13 May 2008, Orca Network report:
J pod were found near the bottom of Rosario Strait.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Founding Director
*
The Beam Reach students/staff with Marla Holt aboard are with J pod as of 2:19 pm viewing breaches and tail lobs, but hearing no vocalizations. The pod is traveling around S. Lopez Island heading NW.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach
*
We saw J-Pod in Rosario Channel in three distinct groups slowly heading south. In the lead group was the very recognizable and distinctive ruffled dorsal fin of J-1 Ruffles, who was surrounded by 10-12 of his family clan, including his mom J-2 Granny. We watched them for awhile as they made slow, lazy surfacings with an occasional tailslap. Then we moved to watch the back group of whales which included J-22 Oreo, her two youngsters (Double Stuff and Cookie), as well as J27 Blackberry. This group was a bit more boisterous, with Blackberry pushing Doublestuff around on the surface a couple of times. Then J27 gave us a nice viewing of his belly as he swam upside down for a bit. The whales were spread out probably over 1 mile as they slowly made their way down the Strait.
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Western Prince
*
Beam Reach met up with J-pod about a nautical mile south of Bird Rocks in Rosario Strait between 2:00 and 2:30pm. We followed them south as they hugged the shore of Lopez Island in a rather spread out fashion. We observed lots of exciting surface behaviors such as pectoral slapping, tail slapping, breaches, half breaches and spy hopping. We had deployed a hydrophone array off the stern of our vessel, the Gato Verde, consisting of three hydrophones as well as a high frequency hydrophone, also off our stern. The whales were not vocalizing for at least 45 minutes when we first got to them, luckily, however, the pod became very acoustically active for a short period of time, emitting a large amount of echo location clicks, S1, S3, and S4 calls, and surprisingly, an unusual amount of whistles. They soon fell silent again and intermittently made echo location clicks and S1 calls. As the whale watching fleet slowly left the vicinity, the whales became more and more spread out and we left them at 5:30pm near the Salmon Bank buoy. They seemed to be milling non- directionally, though we got a message from Orca Spirit stating that they were slowly moving west when they left the scene at around 7:00pm.
Dominique, writing for Beam Reach
J pod were found near the bottom of Rosario Strait.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Founding Director
*
The Beam Reach students/staff with Marla Holt aboard are with J pod as of 2:19 pm viewing breaches and tail lobs, but hearing no vocalizations. The pod is traveling around S. Lopez Island heading NW.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach
*
We saw J-Pod in Rosario Channel in three distinct groups slowly heading south. In the lead group was the very recognizable and distinctive ruffled dorsal fin of J-1 Ruffles, who was surrounded by 10-12 of his family clan, including his mom J-2 Granny. We watched them for awhile as they made slow, lazy surfacings with an occasional tailslap. Then we moved to watch the back group of whales which included J-22 Oreo, her two youngsters (Double Stuff and Cookie), as well as J27 Blackberry. This group was a bit more boisterous, with Blackberry pushing Doublestuff around on the surface a couple of times. Then J27 gave us a nice viewing of his belly as he swam upside down for a bit. The whales were spread out probably over 1 mile as they slowly made their way down the Strait.
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Western Prince
*
Beam Reach met up with J-pod about a nautical mile south of Bird Rocks in Rosario Strait between 2:00 and 2:30pm. We followed them south as they hugged the shore of Lopez Island in a rather spread out fashion. We observed lots of exciting surface behaviors such as pectoral slapping, tail slapping, breaches, half breaches and spy hopping. We had deployed a hydrophone array off the stern of our vessel, the Gato Verde, consisting of three hydrophones as well as a high frequency hydrophone, also off our stern. The whales were not vocalizing for at least 45 minutes when we first got to them, luckily, however, the pod became very acoustically active for a short period of time, emitting a large amount of echo location clicks, S1, S3, and S4 calls, and surprisingly, an unusual amount of whistles. They soon fell silent again and intermittently made echo location clicks and S1 calls. As the whale watching fleet slowly left the vicinity, the whales became more and more spread out and we left them at 5:30pm near the Salmon Bank buoy. They seemed to be milling non- directionally, though we got a message from Orca Spirit stating that they were slowly moving west when they left the scene at around 7:00pm.
Dominique, writing for Beam Reach
maandag 12 mei 2008
J pod in Georgia Straight
12 May 2008, Orca Network reports:
Lifeforce received a report to our Whale and Dolphin Hotline that approx. 20 orcas were in Georgia Straight heading south off the Fraser River, BC. We confirmed that it was J pod when they passed Lighthouse Marine Park, Point Roberts, WA at dusk. J's spent nearly 3 peaceful days in BC waters. Off the park they were moving fast and did two great breaches.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Founding Director
*
We had a few reports of killer whales in the Strait of Georgia last week: 12-15 killer whales seen from the Duke Point to Tsawwassen ferry on several trips during the evening (probably J pod?)
Alana Phillips, B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network
*
Lifeforce received a report to our Whale and Dolphin Hotline that approx. 20 orcas were in Georgia Straight heading south off the Fraser River, BC. We confirmed that it was J pod when they passed Lighthouse Marine Park, Point Roberts, WA at dusk. J's spent nearly 3 peaceful days in BC waters. Off the park they were moving fast and did two great breaches.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Founding Director
*
We had a few reports of killer whales in the Strait of Georgia last week: 12-15 killer whales seen from the Duke Point to Tsawwassen ferry on several trips during the evening (probably J pod?)
Alana Phillips, B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network
*
zaterdag 10 mei 2008
J Pod offshore of the Fraser River
Orca Network reports:
J Pod off Fraser River, Strait of Georgia. We located J Pod at approximately 11:30 AM, offshore of the Fraser River. They were headed south at the time, and very spread out. They did a few directional changes in the time that boats were with them, and were last seen on our second outing at approximately 3:30 PM, heading Northwest from Point Grey, Vancouver. We observed several foraging lunges, and lots of pursuit behaviour, so hopefully they were finding lots to eat.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch
J Pod off Fraser River, Strait of Georgia. We located J Pod at approximately 11:30 AM, offshore of the Fraser River. They were headed south at the time, and very spread out. They did a few directional changes in the time that boats were with them, and were last seen on our second outing at approximately 3:30 PM, heading Northwest from Point Grey, Vancouver. We observed several foraging lunges, and lots of pursuit behaviour, so hopefully they were finding lots to eat.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch
vrijdag 9 mei 2008
J pod seen off Lime Kiln
Orca Network reports:
Just talked to Capt Mike on our boat and they are with the whales (J pod) right now - 2:13 pm - off lime kiln.
Colleen, San Juan Safaris
*
I'm very pleased to hear a few calls on the hydrophone again (started at 14:38 and continuing now - 14:52 @ Lime Kiln). Val passed on this sighting report from Shann of the Western Prince: J pod heading north at Eagle Point this morning at 11am. I'll upload some recordings to OrcaSound shortly. Update: Scott called in at 3:40 pm reporting J pod calls on the OrcaSound hydropone, the calls began at 3:29 pm.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School
*
Yes, J's are back and all present except J43 (as noted in an earlier report - unfortunately this new J pod calf was last seen and photographed Nov. 24th off Whidbey Island - sb). They looked fat and healthy yesterday, but were very spread out.
Ken Balcomb, Senior Scientist, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
Just talked to Capt Mike on our boat and they are with the whales (J pod) right now - 2:13 pm - off lime kiln.
Colleen, San Juan Safaris
*
I'm very pleased to hear a few calls on the hydrophone again (started at 14:38 and continuing now - 14:52 @ Lime Kiln). Val passed on this sighting report from Shann of the Western Prince: J pod heading north at Eagle Point this morning at 11am. I'll upload some recordings to OrcaSound shortly. Update: Scott called in at 3:40 pm reporting J pod calls on the OrcaSound hydropone, the calls began at 3:29 pm.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School
*
Yes, J's are back and all present except J43 (as noted in an earlier report - unfortunately this new J pod calf was last seen and photographed Nov. 24th off Whidbey Island - sb). They looked fat and healthy yesterday, but were very spread out.
Ken Balcomb, Senior Scientist, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
J pod passes San Juan Island very spread out
The Center for Whale Research reports:
May 9, 2008
J pod
Begin Encounter: 12:12 p.m.
Start Lat: 48° 49.61 N
Start Long: 123° 13.02 W
End Encounter: 3:56 p.m.
End Lat: 48° 55.21 N
End Long: 123° 18.11 W
Observers: Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit.
J pod spread out at mid-day heading north in Haro Strait. All accounted for, except J43 who has been missing all of this year and is presumed dead. In a routine vessel avoidance maneuver, J 26 dives in front of a cruise ship in transit that did not see him. The following day the pod was off the Fraser River entrance, and almost to Lion's Gate Bridge in Vancouver by nightfall.
May 9, 2008
J pod
Begin Encounter: 12:12 p.m.
Start Lat: 48° 49.61 N
Start Long: 123° 13.02 W
End Encounter: 3:56 p.m.
End Lat: 48° 55.21 N
End Long: 123° 18.11 W
Observers: Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit.
J pod spread out at mid-day heading north in Haro Strait. All accounted for, except J43 who has been missing all of this year and is presumed dead. In a routine vessel avoidance maneuver, J 26 dives in front of a cruise ship in transit that did not see him. The following day the pod was off the Fraser River entrance, and almost to Lion's Gate Bridge in Vancouver by nightfall.
dinsdag 8 april 2008
8 April 2008, Orcanetwork report
Watched about 5-6 [orcas] pass by the house earlier (late morning, west San Juan Isl). One looked like J30. He's getting HUGE and he's only 13!
JB, San Juan Island
Picking up echolocation clicks on Lime Kiln array (10:53 am). J's also heard on Val Vier's hydrophone (Smugglers Cove, NW San Juan Isl) a short time ago. Looks like J's are back!
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist
We tuned into OrcaSound around 10:55 am, and heard a few short [orca] calls & echolocation clicks off Lime Kiln.
Susan Berta & Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Greenbank
First heard whales on the OrcaSound hydrophone stream at around 9:20 a.m. By 9:40 a.m. the first whales were visual southbound in front of the Center for Whale Research (W. San Juan Isl) - J-pod spread out and moving fast. Dave and I responded in Orca Starlet and caught up with them at 11:10 a.m. off Kanaka Bay (48 28.814N, 123 06.605W). Over the next two and a half ours the whales gradually grouped-up and moved in a southerly and then southwesterly direction. By the end of the encounter at 1:36 p.m. they were just west of Hein Bank (48° 22.32N 123° 07.98W) and had begun to rest in a tight group. All members of J-pod were present and photographed, with the exception of the J14's (J14, J30, J37 and J40). We did see these whales pass the house earlier in the morning. We were very successful in obtaining identification photographs and also photogrammetry data for assessing individual size and growth. Specifically, we were able to re-measure the sprouter males (J26 and J27) and also the pre-sprouter J33, all of whom have been measured in previous years. This will enable us to assess growth rates." Photos & report at Center for Whale Research
John Durban, from Center for Whale Research:
Watched about 5-6 [orcas] pass by the house earlier (late morning, west San Juan Isl). One looked like J30. He's getting HUGE and he's only 13!
JB, San Juan Island
Picking up echolocation clicks on Lime Kiln array (10:53 am). J's also heard on Val Vier's hydrophone (Smugglers Cove, NW San Juan Isl) a short time ago. Looks like J's are back!
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist
We tuned into OrcaSound around 10:55 am, and heard a few short [orca] calls & echolocation clicks off Lime Kiln.
Susan Berta & Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Greenbank
First heard whales on the OrcaSound hydrophone stream at around 9:20 a.m. By 9:40 a.m. the first whales were visual southbound in front of the Center for Whale Research (W. San Juan Isl) - J-pod spread out and moving fast. Dave and I responded in Orca Starlet and caught up with them at 11:10 a.m. off Kanaka Bay (48 28.814N, 123 06.605W). Over the next two and a half ours the whales gradually grouped-up and moved in a southerly and then southwesterly direction. By the end of the encounter at 1:36 p.m. they were just west of Hein Bank (48° 22.32N 123° 07.98W) and had begun to rest in a tight group. All members of J-pod were present and photographed, with the exception of the J14's (J14, J30, J37 and J40). We did see these whales pass the house earlier in the morning. We were very successful in obtaining identification photographs and also photogrammetry data for assessing individual size and growth. Specifically, we were able to re-measure the sprouter males (J26 and J27) and also the pre-sprouter J33, all of whom have been measured in previous years. This will enable us to assess growth rates." Photos & report at Center for Whale Research
John Durban, from Center for Whale Research:
zaterdag 5 april 2008
5 April 2008, Orca Network report:
We observed 12 or 13 members of J pod pass Thieves Bay on Pender Island. Positively identified J1, and quite certain that we also were watching J26 and his new sister J42 along with their mom J16. There appeared to be another male with this group. We speculated that it was J30. They moved by slowly between 3:30 and 4:00pm, traveling north in Swanson Channel about 400-500 metres offshore. First sighting of the season for us. Has there been any sign of J43?
Richard Philpot, Pender Island
Center for Whale Research report:
We encounter J pod in Haro Strait in front of the Center for Whale Research. At 10:55. We took proof of presence photos and left them heading toward Kelp reef at 11:05 a.m. Back at the Center for Whale Research, we heard T14 calls on the Orca Sound hydrophone and observed him on the SE side of D'Arcy Island at the same time that J pod was 1 mile SE of Kelp reef. For a brief time, a few J pod calls were heard concurrent with the T calls.
We did see J-Pod over at Kelp reef about 2:30, and Transients were sighted just up North. The whales were active and forging in the rip. Thanks for the log.
Denise and Captain Daniel Wilk, Orcas Express, Orcas Island
Jim Maya called at 5:15 pm to report J's had reached Active Pass & were heading north into the Pass.
We had Transient orcas (T14, T87, and list to follow) this morning, followed immediately by J pod going north in Haro Strait. I first heard a T call around 0750.
Ken Balcomb, Senior Scientist, Center for Whale Research
We observed 12 or 13 members of J pod pass Thieves Bay on Pender Island. Positively identified J1, and quite certain that we also were watching J26 and his new sister J42 along with their mom J16. There appeared to be another male with this group. We speculated that it was J30. They moved by slowly between 3:30 and 4:00pm, traveling north in Swanson Channel about 400-500 metres offshore. First sighting of the season for us. Has there been any sign of J43?
Richard Philpot, Pender Island
Center for Whale Research report:
We encounter J pod in Haro Strait in front of the Center for Whale Research. At 10:55. We took proof of presence photos and left them heading toward Kelp reef at 11:05 a.m. Back at the Center for Whale Research, we heard T14 calls on the Orca Sound hydrophone and observed him on the SE side of D'Arcy Island at the same time that J pod was 1 mile SE of Kelp reef. For a brief time, a few J pod calls were heard concurrent with the T calls.
We did see J-Pod over at Kelp reef about 2:30, and Transients were sighted just up North. The whales were active and forging in the rip. Thanks for the log.
Denise and Captain Daniel Wilk, Orcas Express, Orcas Island
Jim Maya called at 5:15 pm to report J's had reached Active Pass & were heading north into the Pass.
We had Transient orcas (T14, T87, and list to follow) this morning, followed immediately by J pod going north in Haro Strait. I first heard a T call around 0750.
Ken Balcomb, Senior Scientist, Center for Whale Research
vrijdag 4 april 2008
04 April 2008, Orca Network report
I got to see J pod. I saw lots of breaching and percussive activity from afar. To add to Jim Maya's report--J16, J36 and J42 headed back in towards shore about a half hour earlier than the others. Then they stayed separate from the rest of the pod and foraged from about 6pm to at least 7:45pm right off the beach below Hannah Heights, staying in the same area, back and forth, around and around, back and forth. J26 and J33 must have been with the rest of J pod farther south, spread out off Pile about a mile offshore to about 1/4 mile inshore. When the rest of the pod went farther south, J16 and her young'uns stayed put. They finally started moving a little south at about 7:45pm. It was great to hear their blows and see them fishing again. The little one is quite bouncy. She sometimes came to the surface once for every 3 times J16 surfaced-- super calf!
Sharon Grace, SJI
5:50 pm: Jim Maya called Orca Network with a wonderful report of J pod - they had gone down the west side of San Juan Island this morning, out to Beaumont Shoals, & then back in & were heading up the west side of San Juan Island 5 miles off False Bay at 5:50 pm. At 6:42 pm he phoned an update - they were 1.5 miles east of False Bay, off Eagle Pt. now heading SE-ish. 11:39 am: Blows and a big splash in front of my house, and just then got a call from Pete Henke on Glacier Spirit. J POD headed south toward Lime Kiln Park from Mitchell Pt, west San Juan Island.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's West Side Whale Watch Charters
I'm a student with Beam Reach and we were all just listening to the hydrophone at Lime Kiln and heard some calls which we identified as S1, J-pod's signature call. We first heard them at around 1315. They are pretty faint so we're not sure how far away they are.
Dominique/Beam Reach
Listening to Orcasound.net and hearing far away calls. It is 12:18 . Some squeaks and echo locating. Can't tell if they are getting closer to Lime kiln or moving away. Enjoy the sounds of these majestic animals.
Fellow Orca lover in Birch Bay
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research off west San Juan Island called at 11:30 am to report J pod heading south past the Center, spread out.
I got to see J pod. I saw lots of breaching and percussive activity from afar. To add to Jim Maya's report--J16, J36 and J42 headed back in towards shore about a half hour earlier than the others. Then they stayed separate from the rest of the pod and foraged from about 6pm to at least 7:45pm right off the beach below Hannah Heights, staying in the same area, back and forth, around and around, back and forth. J26 and J33 must have been with the rest of J pod farther south, spread out off Pile about a mile offshore to about 1/4 mile inshore. When the rest of the pod went farther south, J16 and her young'uns stayed put. They finally started moving a little south at about 7:45pm. It was great to hear their blows and see them fishing again. The little one is quite bouncy. She sometimes came to the surface once for every 3 times J16 surfaced-- super calf!
Sharon Grace, SJI
5:50 pm: Jim Maya called Orca Network with a wonderful report of J pod - they had gone down the west side of San Juan Island this morning, out to Beaumont Shoals, & then back in & were heading up the west side of San Juan Island 5 miles off False Bay at 5:50 pm. At 6:42 pm he phoned an update - they were 1.5 miles east of False Bay, off Eagle Pt. now heading SE-ish. 11:39 am: Blows and a big splash in front of my house, and just then got a call from Pete Henke on Glacier Spirit. J POD headed south toward Lime Kiln Park from Mitchell Pt, west San Juan Island.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's West Side Whale Watch Charters
I'm a student with Beam Reach and we were all just listening to the hydrophone at Lime Kiln and heard some calls which we identified as S1, J-pod's signature call. We first heard them at around 1315. They are pretty faint so we're not sure how far away they are.
Dominique/Beam Reach
Listening to Orcasound.net and hearing far away calls. It is 12:18 . Some squeaks and echo locating. Can't tell if they are getting closer to Lime kiln or moving away. Enjoy the sounds of these majestic animals.
Fellow Orca lover in Birch Bay
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research off west San Juan Island called at 11:30 am to report J pod heading south past the Center, spread out.
dinsdag 1 april 2008
01 April 2008, From Orca network
Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit were launching the Center's new minimum impact research vessel, "T-Bo" (which is an acronym for tin boat) at Roche Harbor, when Brian Goodremont (San Juan Outfitters) told them that J pod was off the west side of San Juan Island. Ken and Dave responded and confirmed all members of J pod present, except the new calf, J43, born to J14 last autumn and is presumed dead. The 2008 research season now begins. Click here for photos from the encounter.
John Boyd called Orca Network at 10:55 am to relay a report from Ivan of Western Prince & Jeanne Hyde & Sandy Buckley, who had sighted J pod off Hannah Heights, San Juan Island.
I hope you have OrcaSound turned on (2:35 pm) - if you do, you'll hear the lovely sounds of J Pod returning to the west side. Quite a sight today!
Jenny Atkinson, The Whale Museum, Friday Harbor
I'm picking up great calls using the OrcaSound hydrophone at Val Veirs'; they started about ten minutes ago (3:50 pm). I'm using the Center for Whale Research's new camera too.
Brooke Nelson, Seattle Aquarium
Beam Reach made recordings of J pod calls from the Lime Kiln Lighthouse hydrophone at 1305, & further north from the OrcaSound hydrophone at 1438, April 1: Lime Kiln: A 1-hour 4- minute 4-second mono clip of southern residents J pod members containing calls, echolocation clicks, pebble splash sounds, and boat noise. The J16s were sighted about two hours earlier ~1km south of the hydrophone.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School
Jim Maya of Maya's Charters called Orca Network saying they left J pod spread out in mid Haro Strait, between Gooch & Mandarte Islands (48.38N 123.14W) heading north at 5 pm. Looked like everyone was there.
I got a call from Jeanne Hyde & Captain Ivan as well saying "guess what? J-Pod is here!" We saw J16 leading the way towards the lighthouse with J42 in tow. Out a ways was big brother J26. Soon I had to leave but I got delayed again as I tuned my radio to 88.1 FM---and there were tons of J-Pod calls and echolocation clicks. I should have bought a lottery ticket as the whales did come north. Again, the water was about as still as I've ever seen it, and it was a fabulous day. Then we heard the blow and saw none other than my favorite big dorsal fin--- J1!!! He was doing three short 15 second dives followed by a long 3-4 minute dive.
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Friday Harbor
Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit were launching the Center's new minimum impact research vessel, "T-Bo" (which is an acronym for tin boat) at Roche Harbor, when Brian Goodremont (San Juan Outfitters) told them that J pod was off the west side of San Juan Island. Ken and Dave responded and confirmed all members of J pod present, except the new calf, J43, born to J14 last autumn and is presumed dead. The 2008 research season now begins. Click here for photos from the encounter.
John Boyd called Orca Network at 10:55 am to relay a report from Ivan of Western Prince & Jeanne Hyde & Sandy Buckley, who had sighted J pod off Hannah Heights, San Juan Island.
I hope you have OrcaSound turned on (2:35 pm) - if you do, you'll hear the lovely sounds of J Pod returning to the west side. Quite a sight today!
Jenny Atkinson, The Whale Museum, Friday Harbor
I'm picking up great calls using the OrcaSound hydrophone at Val Veirs'; they started about ten minutes ago (3:50 pm). I'm using the Center for Whale Research's new camera too.
Brooke Nelson, Seattle Aquarium
Beam Reach made recordings of J pod calls from the Lime Kiln Lighthouse hydrophone at 1305, & further north from the OrcaSound hydrophone at 1438, April 1: Lime Kiln: A 1-hour 4- minute 4-second mono clip of southern residents J pod members containing calls, echolocation clicks, pebble splash sounds, and boat noise. The J16s were sighted about two hours earlier ~1km south of the hydrophone.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School
Jim Maya of Maya's Charters called Orca Network saying they left J pod spread out in mid Haro Strait, between Gooch & Mandarte Islands (48.38N 123.14W) heading north at 5 pm. Looked like everyone was there.
I got a call from Jeanne Hyde & Captain Ivan as well saying "guess what? J-Pod is here!" We saw J16 leading the way towards the lighthouse with J42 in tow. Out a ways was big brother J26. Soon I had to leave but I got delayed again as I tuned my radio to 88.1 FM---and there were tons of J-Pod calls and echolocation clicks. I should have bought a lottery ticket as the whales did come north. Again, the water was about as still as I've ever seen it, and it was a fabulous day. Then we heard the blow and saw none other than my favorite big dorsal fin--- J1!!! He was doing three short 15 second dives followed by a long 3-4 minute dive.
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Friday Harbor
dinsdag 25 maart 2008
25 March 2008, Orca Network reports:
Report from the NOAA Ship McArthur II: Weather chased us in to the Straits of Juan de Fuca last Sat night so we waited there for a couple days rather than go home and it did pay off early Tues AM when we picked up J pod inbound off Neah Bay on the towed array. They turned NW near the Sekui River and we followed them over to near Port Renfrew and then west to Pachena Pt -
Brad Hanson, NOAA Fisheries NWFSC
Report from the NOAA Ship McArthur II: Weather chased us in to the Straits of Juan de Fuca last Sat night so we waited there for a couple days rather than go home and it did pay off early Tues AM when we picked up J pod inbound off Neah Bay on the towed array. They turned NW near the Sekui River and we followed them over to near Port Renfrew and then west to Pachena Pt -
Brad Hanson, NOAA Fisheries NWFSC
vrijdag 29 februari 2008
29 February 2008, Orca Network reports:
John Boyd called at 2:14 pm to relay a report from Mallard of Victoria, of a pod of orcas heading east off Victoria. Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research relayed the pod had been ID'd as J pod.
*
I just got a call (~3:45 pm) from Ron Bates. He had gotten a call from Mallard who was out on King Salmon, and they were following J Pod across the Victoria water front headed east toward San Juan Island.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters, San Juan Island
*
Calls on the San Juan Island hydrophones (Orcasound.net) right now (5:56 pm) !!! J Pod north up Haro Strait now.
Jeanne Hyde, Friday Harbor
John Boyd called at 2:14 pm to relay a report from Mallard of Victoria, of a pod of orcas heading east off Victoria. Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research relayed the pod had been ID'd as J pod.
*
I just got a call (~3:45 pm) from Ron Bates. He had gotten a call from Mallard who was out on King Salmon, and they were following J Pod across the Victoria water front headed east toward San Juan Island.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters, San Juan Island
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Calls on the San Juan Island hydrophones (Orcasound.net) right now (5:56 pm) !!! J Pod north up Haro Strait now.
Jeanne Hyde, Friday Harbor
zondag 17 februari 2008
17 February 2008, Orca Network reports:
J pod going east off Victoria around 1400, hoping for more details later.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.
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Finally a whale report. J POD !!!!!!!!!! We located J pod crossing the Oak Bay area(Victoria) bucking a big ebb tide with the help of a on shore whale enthusiast. They were last sighted at 1600 heading for San Juan.
beemer, Victoria, B.C.
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We've had OrcaSound.net on ever since we got the reports of J pod heading east. Nothing for an hour or two, then suddenly at about 8:30 pm a bunch of very loud calls on the OrcaSound (NW San Juan Island) hydrophone - and then - nothing! We're still listening hoping for a few more calls - tune in, & let us know if you hear them tonight, or see them on Monday!
Susan Berta & Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island
J pod going east off Victoria around 1400, hoping for more details later.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.
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Finally a whale report. J POD !!!!!!!!!! We located J pod crossing the Oak Bay area(Victoria) bucking a big ebb tide with the help of a on shore whale enthusiast. They were last sighted at 1600 heading for San Juan.
beemer, Victoria, B.C.
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We've had OrcaSound.net on ever since we got the reports of J pod heading east. Nothing for an hour or two, then suddenly at about 8:30 pm a bunch of very loud calls on the OrcaSound (NW San Juan Island) hydrophone - and then - nothing! We're still listening hoping for a few more calls - tune in, & let us know if you hear them tonight, or see them on Monday!
Susan Berta & Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island
woensdag 13 februari 2008
13 February 2008, Orca Network reports:
7:15 am spotted one solitary Orca off Stanley point on Pender Island just inside the mouth of navy channel.
Andy Paige
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In regards to a lone orca sighted on the morning of Feb 13th, thought I might be able to provide a bit more info: I was catching the first Swartz Bay to Tsawassen ferry and at around 8am the captain announced killer whales in the area. I went out on the deck and spotted a lone orca that appeared to be foraging in the area between the southern entrance to Active Pass, Prevost Island and Mayne Island. From my observation the orca had quite a tall erect dorsal fin, slightly wavy with a rounded tip. I am certain the dorsal fin had a slight "waviness" to it and was definitely a rounded tip. I'm only an amateur at identification but this fin certainly displayed the characteristics of a resident fin, and I'm pretty sure it was not a transient. On my time at Beam Reach last fall we often witnessed (as I'm sure you all have), J1 leading the pod by what seems to be up to a couple of miles. So I was thinking that perhaps this lone individual orca could have been J1, as I have seen J1 quite a few times and from the distance of my observation 200-300m, it did appear to look similar to Ruffles. I did look around for other fins but by this time the ferry had turned up Active Pass so I did not see any. Having said all this, this lone orca could have in fact been a transient but I thought that transients had very distinct triangular dorsal fins with a prominent "sharp tip". Anyone have any thoughts on this? Cheers,
Tim Hunt (former Beam Reach student & aspiring to work in Vic whale watch industry this season)
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More info. on the Pender Island orca Sighting: The Orca was well into the channel heading east close to shore just off susan pt. Its the first time I've seen one this close here - I normally see them across the channel off dinner pt. on mayne headed towards active pass.
Andy Paige
7:15 am spotted one solitary Orca off Stanley point on Pender Island just inside the mouth of navy channel.
Andy Paige
*
In regards to a lone orca sighted on the morning of Feb 13th, thought I might be able to provide a bit more info: I was catching the first Swartz Bay to Tsawassen ferry and at around 8am the captain announced killer whales in the area. I went out on the deck and spotted a lone orca that appeared to be foraging in the area between the southern entrance to Active Pass, Prevost Island and Mayne Island. From my observation the orca had quite a tall erect dorsal fin, slightly wavy with a rounded tip. I am certain the dorsal fin had a slight "waviness" to it and was definitely a rounded tip. I'm only an amateur at identification but this fin certainly displayed the characteristics of a resident fin, and I'm pretty sure it was not a transient. On my time at Beam Reach last fall we often witnessed (as I'm sure you all have), J1 leading the pod by what seems to be up to a couple of miles. So I was thinking that perhaps this lone individual orca could have been J1, as I have seen J1 quite a few times and from the distance of my observation 200-300m, it did appear to look similar to Ruffles. I did look around for other fins but by this time the ferry had turned up Active Pass so I did not see any. Having said all this, this lone orca could have in fact been a transient but I thought that transients had very distinct triangular dorsal fins with a prominent "sharp tip". Anyone have any thoughts on this? Cheers,
Tim Hunt (former Beam Reach student & aspiring to work in Vic whale watch industry this season)
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More info. on the Pender Island orca Sighting: The Orca was well into the channel heading east close to shore just off susan pt. Its the first time I've seen one this close here - I normally see them across the channel off dinner pt. on mayne headed towards active pass.
Andy Paige
zondag 3 februari 2008
3 February 2008, Orca Network Reports
Dave Ellifrit and I went out and found the Js right at Navy Ch. just south of Active Pass and took them into active a bit. Every year when I see J1 and 2 for the first time I sure get the chills. Ron Bates said Js were seen at dusk near Tawassan.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters, San Juan Island
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Orca Network received a call from Marti Tilley of North Pender Island, B.C., reporting a pod of 6 - 7 orcas in Swanson Channel, mid- channel, heading north off Mouat Pt. at 9:25 am. The pod included 1 adult male.
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Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research called to report that Jim Maya & Dave Ellifrit had found the above reported orcas & it's J pod! They had them at 11:05 am heading north through Active Pass.
Dave Ellifrit and I went out and found the Js right at Navy Ch. just south of Active Pass and took them into active a bit. Every year when I see J1 and 2 for the first time I sure get the chills. Ron Bates said Js were seen at dusk near Tawassan.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters, San Juan Island
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Orca Network received a call from Marti Tilley of North Pender Island, B.C., reporting a pod of 6 - 7 orcas in Swanson Channel, mid- channel, heading north off Mouat Pt. at 9:25 am. The pod included 1 adult male.
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Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research called to report that Jim Maya & Dave Ellifrit had found the above reported orcas & it's J pod! They had them at 11:05 am heading north through Active Pass.
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