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