June 27
1930: Likely J pod well spread out and moving northward. Few vocals though some great S-4 calls (that neat growl) and some echolocation clicks.
Val Veirs, San Juan Island
zaterdag 27 juni 2009
vrijdag 26 juni 2009
Kelping orca (J35?)
San Juan Island
June 26, 2009
Photo by Jill Hein
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 26th, I was out on the Western Explorer and we met up with J-Pod again heading north in Swanson Channel around 12 noon. They were in nice tight groups and we spent most of our time observing the J14 family group with J1, J2, and J8. We were able to identify every J- Pod family group but the J16s, so they either went undetected or were off on their own somewhere else. When we left them around 1 PM they were just nearing Otter Bay, still traveling north against a flood tide. You can see some photos from this afternoon here.
Monika Wieland, San Juan Island
June 26
We left the Ks last night off the Southern tip of Lopez Isl. Js had gone North in the morning, so they should be back today.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's West Side Charters
June 26
On our afternoon trip, we headed out to meet up with the Orcas reported to be heading north in Swanson Channel. When we arrived, J Pod was in a tight resting formation, drifting past Village Bay on Mayne Island. We knew that would likely change as they approached Active Pass. Sure enough, the tail slaps started just as they rounded the bend at Helen's Point. Was that a response to the strong current pulling them into the pass, or the DFO observer sitting on the point watching the whale watch boats??? In any case, all the commercial boats gave the whales lots of room as they maneouvered across the pass to the shores of Galiano Island, and then to the east. The whales stayed fairly tightly together until they were mid-pass, when the action really got going - upside-down swimming, breaches, tail slaps, pec slaps, spyhops - as they approached the tide rips at the east end of the pass. I've attached one photo (see above) of the multi- action our passengers were fortunate to witness. As they were exiting the pass, the whales did a long dive going through the final large tide rips, and surfaced some distance to the east. Once in the Strait of Georgia, the pod split into matriline groups and spread out for the crossing. The mud plume from the Fraser River had spread all the way across the Strait due to the low tide and earlier winds, and the whales seemed to be doing many more spyhops than we usually see as they exit Active Pass. They might have been surprised by the sudden darkness underwater where it should have been clear blue- green water. We left J Pod shortly after their exit from Active Pass. They were still heading east towards the coal docks. Happily, the DFO boat on scene likely got zero footage of whale watch boats misbehaving as everyone was keeping a very respectful distance. Only one BC ferry entered the pass during the time we were there, and it was at the wider east end, allowing lots of room to stay out of the way of both whales and the ferry. Our passengers enjoyed a very special encounter with these animals, observing not only many behaviours, but also the family togetherness of a resting pod.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch
donderdag 25 juni 2009
Yesterday, June 25th, I watched J-Pod off of Land Bank and Lime Kiln on the west side of San Juan Island from about 3:30-4:30 in the afternoon. They headed north very close to shore, then turned and started coming back south before veering to the west to meet in the incoming K-Pod. It was definitely one of those special passbys where most of the pod was just off the kelp beds, and onlookers got nice looks at all the J-Pod family groups! You can see some of my favorite photos from the encounter here.
June 25
OrcaSound hydrophone, 1830: First we heard mewing, like in K-pod, and then we heard S-1's as in J-pod. The whales were spread out and their blows drifted north in the southerly, backlit by the ever-so-slow setting sun - they were headed slowly north. Ethereal.
Val Veirs, San Juan Island
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
June 25
OrcaSound hydrophone, 1830: First we heard mewing, like in K-pod, and then we heard S-1's as in J-pod. The whales were spread out and their blows drifted north in the southerly, backlit by the ever-so-slow setting sun - they were headed slowly north. Ethereal.
Val Veirs, San Juan Island
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
woensdag 24 juni 2009
Js south of Pt. Roberts
June 24
Well, the Js spent the afternoon South of Pt. Roberts trying to decide whether or not to battle the flood tide and come down to the San Juans. Nope. They decided to ride the flood back to the Fraser, and hopefully come on down tomorrow. The last I heard they were 10 miles North of East Pt. still headed North at 6:30 PM this evening (6/24).
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
Well, the Js spent the afternoon South of Pt. Roberts trying to decide whether or not to battle the flood tide and come down to the San Juans. Nope. They decided to ride the flood back to the Fraser, and hopefully come on down tomorrow. The last I heard they were 10 miles North of East Pt. still headed North at 6:30 PM this evening (6/24).
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
dinsdag 23 juni 2009
J pod in the San Juans
June 23
We lucked out on our 1pm tour with reports of Residents eastbound near Victoria, BC. A little trip to the south around Cattle Pass and across the Straits (which looked as if it were a pond today) - so calm, clear views of the Olympic Mountains to the south and we met up with the whales crossing to San Juan Island. They had been traveling quite fast according to the other boats and they ended up splitting into 2 or more groups, with some whales moving towards the southern half of the island and others northbound up Haro Strait. The Orcas were quite spread out in all directions - apparently it was J pod and K pod. (I'm still getting back into the swing of identifying these guys.)
We had some wonderful views of 2 younger calves playing in the currents where the kelp was collecting, along with logs and other debris. One even draped a bit of kelp across its dorsal fin!! There was some breaching, tail slaps and just some great looks at the whales. We moved north, from one group to another and left them off of Kellet Bluff, Henry Island as we looped around the north side of San Juan Island.
Then the sunset tour. Wow! It was one of those nights where there was no wind, the seas were like glass, and the clouds cleared so I could finally see Mount Baker in all its glory in the Cascade Range! J pod had covered some ground and was up in the Canadian Gulf Islands. So to Canada we went. We had a small intimate group of people on the boat who got one of the best shows I've seen in a long time! We were able to watch J27 (Blackberry) who at 18 is turning into quite the large male. Along with J27 was his sister J31 and a sprouter male who I believe was J34, and a few others I didn't ID. There were actively spyhopping, rolling, foraging, and moving northbound. The unfortunate part of this experience was a private boater that was much too close to the whales, who continued to pursue the Orcas and park as close as possible to the animals. It is illegal for any vessel to be within a 100 yards of these Endangered Southern Community of Killer Whales. Many folks don't realize that this is law and the point being we want to give the Orcas enough space so that we boaters are not causing them to alter their normal behavior. Hopefully as more people learn this, we will all be more conscience of how we conduct ourselves around the whales.
We were able to also get great looks at J26, the other 18 year old male with his mom J16 and younger sibling J42. Again very active tonight! Breach after breach, even by the little calf! The next family group included J17, J28, and newborn J44? I kept looking for the little one but the glare on the water against the dark rocky shoreline made it difficult. By now we were nearing Active Pass and it was time to head home. What a beautiful and special day in the San Juans.
-Jaclyn, naturalist, Crew At San Juan Safaris Whale Watch Wildlife Tours
We lucked out on our 1pm tour with reports of Residents eastbound near Victoria, BC. A little trip to the south around Cattle Pass and across the Straits (which looked as if it were a pond today) - so calm, clear views of the Olympic Mountains to the south and we met up with the whales crossing to San Juan Island. They had been traveling quite fast according to the other boats and they ended up splitting into 2 or more groups, with some whales moving towards the southern half of the island and others northbound up Haro Strait. The Orcas were quite spread out in all directions - apparently it was J pod and K pod. (I'm still getting back into the swing of identifying these guys.)
We had some wonderful views of 2 younger calves playing in the currents where the kelp was collecting, along with logs and other debris. One even draped a bit of kelp across its dorsal fin!! There was some breaching, tail slaps and just some great looks at the whales. We moved north, from one group to another and left them off of Kellet Bluff, Henry Island as we looped around the north side of San Juan Island.
Then the sunset tour. Wow! It was one of those nights where there was no wind, the seas were like glass, and the clouds cleared so I could finally see Mount Baker in all its glory in the Cascade Range! J pod had covered some ground and was up in the Canadian Gulf Islands. So to Canada we went. We had a small intimate group of people on the boat who got one of the best shows I've seen in a long time! We were able to watch J27 (Blackberry) who at 18 is turning into quite the large male. Along with J27 was his sister J31 and a sprouter male who I believe was J34, and a few others I didn't ID. There were actively spyhopping, rolling, foraging, and moving northbound. The unfortunate part of this experience was a private boater that was much too close to the whales, who continued to pursue the Orcas and park as close as possible to the animals. It is illegal for any vessel to be within a 100 yards of these Endangered Southern Community of Killer Whales. Many folks don't realize that this is law and the point being we want to give the Orcas enough space so that we boaters are not causing them to alter their normal behavior. Hopefully as more people learn this, we will all be more conscience of how we conduct ourselves around the whales.
We were able to also get great looks at J26, the other 18 year old male with his mom J16 and younger sibling J42. Again very active tonight! Breach after breach, even by the little calf! The next family group included J17, J28, and newborn J44? I kept looking for the little one but the glare on the water against the dark rocky shoreline made it difficult. By now we were nearing Active Pass and it was time to head home. What a beautiful and special day in the San Juans.
-Jaclyn, naturalist, Crew At San Juan Safaris Whale Watch Wildlife Tours
maandag 22 juni 2009
J1 & J2
Stuart Island
June 22, 2009
Photo by Andrew Lees
June 22
I thought you might like this picture of J2 "Granny" spy-hopping right next to J1 "Ruffles". This was just south of Stuart Island this afternoon (6/22) . Regards,
Andrew Lees, Five Star Whale Watching
June 22
Got to finally catch up with J pod off Lime Kiln on Monday evening. They started coming by around 17:15 or so. I believe we got to see them all. They were fairly vocal as they swam by, Bob Otis had his radio out there with the hydrophones so we could hear them calling. Was a very windy time out there and the only boats were a couple watches out of Canada. The boats were so far out there, as the pod was very spread out. Take care!
Vickie Doyle, Kent, WA
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,
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
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
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
Very loud calls on Orca Sound hydrophones. Sounds like Jpod. There are clicks also. Time is 1326.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
June 21
1430: J pod widely spread out and moving north. Nice vocals (calls and clicks) on the OrcaSound hydrophone.
Val Veirs, San Juan Island
June 21
Aboard the Island Adventurer out of Anacortes with Capt Carl we saw an incredible display by J Pod at 145 to 215pm. We first spotted the dorsals just North of American Camp on the West side of San Juan. The pod was moving north, in small group of 3 or 4 spread out along maybe a 1/4 quarter mile. Whales were close to shore, sometime within 10 feet just south of False Bay.
The males and some younger whales really put on the show with dual spy hops, cartwheels, full breaches by the younger whales and lots of tail slapping. Mike, Alki and Blackberry were identified by the naturalist on aboard. Very interesting was the identification of a male, Mega, from L Pod and the naturalist thought there may have been some mating outside of False Bay. First hand viewing seemed to confirm this may have been the case. J Pod continued North toward Lime Kiln when we left and turned South.
Jennifer Parker, Seattle
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
Very loud calls on Orca Sound hydrophones. Sounds like Jpod. There are clicks also. Time is 1326.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
June 21
1430: J pod widely spread out and moving north. Nice vocals (calls and clicks) on the OrcaSound hydrophone.
Val Veirs, San Juan Island
June 21
Aboard the Island Adventurer out of Anacortes with Capt Carl we saw an incredible display by J Pod at 145 to 215pm. We first spotted the dorsals just North of American Camp on the West side of San Juan. The pod was moving north, in small group of 3 or 4 spread out along maybe a 1/4 quarter mile. Whales were close to shore, sometime within 10 feet just south of False Bay.
The males and some younger whales really put on the show with dual spy hops, cartwheels, full breaches by the younger whales and lots of tail slapping. Mike, Alki and Blackberry were identified by the naturalist on aboard. Very interesting was the identification of a male, Mega, from L Pod and the naturalist thought there may have been some mating outside of False Bay. First hand viewing seemed to confirm this may have been the case. J Pod continued North toward Lime Kiln when we left and turned South.
Jennifer Parker, Seattle
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
J Pod near the hydophones
June 20
Just tuned in, hearing clicks and faint calls on OrcaSound Hydrophones at 1148 am amogst vessel noise.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
June 20
1130 am - J-pod spread out moving slowly northward fairly close to shore, off OrcaSound hydrophone area, NW San Juan Island.
Val Veirs, San Juan Island
June 20
Hello, I am writing to report possible vocalizations on the Lilm Kiln Hydrophones. June 20, 11:00 am.
Rolando Chavez
June 20
Sandy Buckley of San Juan Island saw/heard lots of whales headed south close to shore off west San Juan Island around 5:30 am.
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
I was out with Mystic Seas today and we saw LOTS of orca. These were all in the vicinity of Stuart Island, between 1:45 and 2:15 pm. Photos submitted (see above) included shots of the J14s & J16s, confirmed by Dave Ellifrit of the Ctr. for Whale Research.
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
J1 Breaching
June 20, 2009
Photo by Marie O'Shaughnessy,
Orca Magic
June 20
Saturday June 20th at Turn Point the Prince of Whales zodiac met up with members of J Pod around 1pm. The whales were so active with numerous breaches etc.They were slowly heading toward the Strait of Georgia. Several family groups were swimming together, however I never saw the tiny ones, J 44 and J 45. They must have been tucked in tight close to mom. I had never seen Ruffles, J 1 breach before, so managed to get a distant picture (see above). His huge pectoral fins were impressive.
Marie, Orca-Magic, Prince of Whales
Just tuned in, hearing clicks and faint calls on OrcaSound Hydrophones at 1148 am amogst vessel noise.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
June 20
1130 am - J-pod spread out moving slowly northward fairly close to shore, off OrcaSound hydrophone area, NW San Juan Island.
Val Veirs, San Juan Island
June 20
Hello, I am writing to report possible vocalizations on the Lilm Kiln Hydrophones. June 20, 11:00 am.
Rolando Chavez
June 20
Sandy Buckley of San Juan Island saw/heard lots of whales headed south close to shore off west San Juan Island around 5:30 am.
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
I was out with Mystic Seas today and we saw LOTS of orca. These were all in the vicinity of Stuart Island, between 1:45 and 2:15 pm. Photos submitted (see above) included shots of the J14s & J16s, confirmed by Dave Ellifrit of the Ctr. for Whale Research.
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
J1 Breaching
June 20, 2009
Photo by Marie O'Shaughnessy,
Orca Magic
June 20
Saturday June 20th at Turn Point the Prince of Whales zodiac met up with members of J Pod around 1pm. The whales were so active with numerous breaches etc.They were slowly heading toward the Strait of Georgia. Several family groups were swimming together, however I never saw the tiny ones, J 44 and J 45. They must have been tucked in tight close to mom. I had never seen Ruffles, J 1 breach before, so managed to get a distant picture (see above). His huge pectoral fins were impressive.
Marie, Orca-Magic, Prince of Whales
vrijdag 19 juni 2009
J pod in front of BC Ferries
J pod whale breach
and BC Ferry
Active Pass
June 19, 2009
Photo by Capt. Jim Maya
June 19
We got word from our friends, Jim and Brenda, that they had seen Orcas this morning at Turn Pt. coming back from their latest Canadian adventure. So at 10 this morning we headed for Active Pass and got there in time to see them come out of the Pass headed East. As usual they were very active as they came out of the Pass. I got this shot (see above) as the BC Ferry passed by. (I always wonder why the BC Ferries are so big and run on schedule and are up to date, and ours are so rinky dinky!!!).
We left Js headed south this evening at 7:00 PM at Pt. Roberts. We should see them near San Juan Island on Saturday.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
June 19:
On our afternoon trip, J Pod was spread out along Sturgeon Back, Strait of Georgia, from the South Arm to the North Arm of the Fraser River. There was obviously alot of foraging going on, but also a fair amount of socializing. We were priviliged to observe J27 (Blackberry) and little brother J39 (Mako) engaged in some playful behaviour. Photo of J39 doing a teasing spyhop is attached (see below) . On the other boat, Sue (the Naturalist) reported J42 (Echo) and little J45 performing alternating spyhops, while the remainder of their matrilines milled nearby. It's fantastic to have J Pod back, foraging and socializing once again.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch
donderdag 18 juni 2009
Jpod together with L12s and 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
maandag 25 mei 2009
J's along San Juan Island
May 25
Dave Ellifrit said orcas were heading south, approaching the Center for Whale Research at 12:45 PM.
May 25
Jeff Hogan was hearing calls on the Lime Kiln Hps at 12:55PM.
May 25
We left J pod in big seas near Middle Bank headed south this evening about 7:00PM. The last time they did this, they were back the next day, after visiting Pt. Angeles.
Capt. Jim
May 25
J-1 with maybe 6 other whales porpoising fast to the southeast around Eagle Point, with a strong flooding tide, at 1:13pm They all slowed down around False Bay, going on long dives, appeared to be foraging. Pretty bumpy out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, so we left them at about 2pm.
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions
Dave Ellifrit said orcas were heading south, approaching the Center for Whale Research at 12:45 PM.
May 25
Jeff Hogan was hearing calls on the Lime Kiln Hps at 12:55PM.
May 25
We left J pod in big seas near Middle Bank headed south this evening about 7:00PM. The last time they did this, they were back the next day, after visiting Pt. Angeles.
Capt. Jim
May 25
J-1 with maybe 6 other whales porpoising fast to the southeast around Eagle Point, with a strong flooding tide, at 1:13pm They all slowed down around False Bay, going on long dives, appeared to be foraging. Pretty bumpy out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, so we left them at about 2pm.
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions
zondag 24 mei 2009
J's on Lime Kiln hydrophone
May 24
Jeff Hogan called with a Lime Kiln acoustic alert. J's live on the hydrophones at 1:30 PM.
May 24
At 13:10 I was hearing faint calls on the Lime Kiln Hps.
At 14:23 still hearing calls and clicks on Lime Kiln Hps.
At 14:54 started hearing calls and clicks on OrcaSound Hps. Whales are obviously traveling North.
Thanks
Cathy Bacon
May 24
J1 Ruffles moves past kayakers, all looking the other way.
Photo by Marie O'Shaughnessy
May 24
We left J Pod going north at the Pender Bluffs yesterday at 7:00 PM. The should again be back today.
J 44 was having a great time strolling along with mom, J 17, and her family.
Capt. Jim
May 24
Hi Susan and Howie,
Tagging on to Jeff and Cathy's reports of calls on the HPs on Sunday. I was at LimeKiln and have posted a video clip of Samish J-14 and her three youngest - Hy'Shqa J-37, Suttles J-40 and baby J-45 as they spent time there. It was interesting that with all their activity there were more echo clicks than vocals. Was it a training session or just lunch time?
Jeanne
May 24
Sunny skies, calm waters.... Ahh, summer is finally here in the San Juans! And to make the day even better, we had J-Pod riding in the huge flood tide. When we were getting ready to leave the dock, we had a report that J Pod was at Constance Bank heading east, so we hoped they'd be somewhat close by the time we got in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. By the time we made Cattle Point, they were already along the shore of San Juan (must have been the 6 knot current speeding them along!) They were very spread out, making any ID's very hard, but I did manage to spot J27 near False Bay. For our second trip in the late afternoon, the whales had made a decision to head north, and we found the trailing whales near Stuart Island. This time however, things were different. The currents were almost ebbing, so the whales had slowed way down. We were lucky enough to find two good-sized groups traveling closely together, and not in a big hurry. Lots of spyhops, tail lobs, rolling on top of each other, and even a sea-snake! We were able to ID J16 Slick, J17 Princess Angeline, J22 Oreo, J27 Blackberry, J28 Polaris, J34 Doublestuff, J35 Tahlequah, J38 Cookie, and new calf J44. We watched the whales pass the Turn Point Lighthouse before heading home, full of smiles!
John Boyd (JB), SSAMN
Marine Naturalist, Western Prince
Jeff Hogan called with a Lime Kiln acoustic alert. J's live on the hydrophones at 1:30 PM.
May 24
At 13:10 I was hearing faint calls on the Lime Kiln Hps.
At 14:23 still hearing calls and clicks on Lime Kiln Hps.
At 14:54 started hearing calls and clicks on OrcaSound Hps. Whales are obviously traveling North.
Thanks
Cathy Bacon
May 24
J1 Ruffles moves past kayakers, all looking the other way.
Photo by Marie O'Shaughnessy
May 24
We left J Pod going north at the Pender Bluffs yesterday at 7:00 PM. The should again be back today.
J 44 was having a great time strolling along with mom, J 17, and her family.
Capt. Jim
May 24
Hi Susan and Howie,
Tagging on to Jeff and Cathy's reports of calls on the HPs on Sunday. I was at LimeKiln and have posted a video clip of Samish J-14 and her three youngest - Hy'Shqa J-37, Suttles J-40 and baby J-45 as they spent time there. It was interesting that with all their activity there were more echo clicks than vocals. Was it a training session or just lunch time?
Jeanne
May 24
Sunny skies, calm waters.... Ahh, summer is finally here in the San Juans! And to make the day even better, we had J-Pod riding in the huge flood tide. When we were getting ready to leave the dock, we had a report that J Pod was at Constance Bank heading east, so we hoped they'd be somewhat close by the time we got in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. By the time we made Cattle Point, they were already along the shore of San Juan (must have been the 6 knot current speeding them along!) They were very spread out, making any ID's very hard, but I did manage to spot J27 near False Bay. For our second trip in the late afternoon, the whales had made a decision to head north, and we found the trailing whales near Stuart Island. This time however, things were different. The currents were almost ebbing, so the whales had slowed way down. We were lucky enough to find two good-sized groups traveling closely together, and not in a big hurry. Lots of spyhops, tail lobs, rolling on top of each other, and even a sea-snake! We were able to ID J16 Slick, J17 Princess Angeline, J22 Oreo, J27 Blackberry, J28 Polaris, J34 Doublestuff, J35 Tahlequah, J38 Cookie, and new calf J44. We watched the whales pass the Turn Point Lighthouse before heading home, full of smiles!
John Boyd (JB), SSAMN
Marine Naturalist, Western Prince
vrijdag 22 mei 2009
J's west of Whidbey
May 22J14 and J45 west of Whidbey Island.
Photo by Jill Persick
May 22
Hi Susan,
We had a great encounter with J pod today. We travelled quite far south of Vancouver towards the Juan de Fuca Straight and found J pod not far off of Smith Island. We found J14 with new calf J45 (see photo) and his siblings, including Big brother J30. We travelled back home along the west side of San Juan Island, where we saw J1 all by himself. He was quite far away from the rest of the pod, but we were happy to have a look at him and get away from the wind. Long trip but beautiful day!
Jill Persick
Steveston Seabreeze Adventures
May 22
We left the trailing Js in the center of Haro St. at 6:30 this evening, headed north.
Jim Maya
May 22
Hi Susan,
I had the pleasure of accompanying a home- school group field trip today. It was super weather, sunny and clear, we could see both Mt Baker and Mt Rainer at the same time. We sighted J pod foraging in small scattered groups of 4- 7 orcas each. Tail whack after tail whack, and numerous breaches, even a bit of la amour- amour.
The latter activity was not elaborated on as the group was very young children, the exciting details would have been wastedanyway. I positively I D'd J17 and baby J44 riding high over her back. And J27- Blackberry. All sightings 2-3 miles S.W. off Iceberg Point in the Juan de Fuca.
The children also enjoyed a pod (20-30) of Harbour porpoises, S.E. of Colville Is. and an Eagle in a nest off the south end of Lopez Island, and a lazy ole' California Sea Lion #651 on the entrance buoy of Guemes channel. He had been there all day.
These were all first experiences for most of the childr - wow! They were excited.
Caroline Spehar
Transboundary Naturalist
Mystic Sea, Anacortes
We left the trailing Js in the center of Haro St. at 6:30 this evening, headed north.
Jim Maya
May 22
Hi Susan,
I had the pleasure of accompanying a home- school group field trip today. It was super weather, sunny and clear, we could see both Mt Baker and Mt Rainer at the same time. We sighted J pod foraging in small scattered groups of 4- 7 orcas each. Tail whack after tail whack, and numerous breaches, even a bit of la amour- amour.
The latter activity was not elaborated on as the group was very young children, the exciting details would have been wastedanyway. I positively I D'd J17 and baby J44 riding high over her back. And J27- Blackberry. All sightings 2-3 miles S.W. off Iceberg Point in the Juan de Fuca.
The children also enjoyed a pod (20-30) of Harbour porpoises, S.E. of Colville Is. and an Eagle in a nest off the south end of Lopez Island, and a lazy ole' California Sea Lion #651 on the entrance buoy of Guemes channel. He had been there all day.
These were all first experiences for most of the childr - wow! They were excited.
Caroline Spehar
Transboundary Naturalist
Mystic Sea, Anacortes
donderdag 21 mei 2009
May 21
J 44, the calf surfacing close to its mother J 17.
Photo by Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca- Magic, POW
May 21
Hi Susan,
The magic continues out there in the Salish sea. What a beautiful day watching J pod and some of K pod, head north along the shoreline of San Juan Island, between 2-3 pm today. Got to see one of the little ones J 44 swimming close to mom J 17. Not much foraging going on as they were really moving in rather spread out groups. I was on a POW Zodiac enjoying the calm conditions. We actually were surprised by a sudden appearance of a Minke Whale on the west side of Hein Bank during our trip over to the San Juans. The scenery all round was spectacular on this very clear day.
Marie, Orca-Magic, POW
May 21
I went out to Joseph Whidbey State Park at 10 AM, just south of Naval Air Station and saw 4 or 5 orcas heading due west toward Salmon Bank, south of San Juan Island, several miles from shore.
Howard
May 21
Chuck Niedzialkowski called at 9:30 AM with a sighting of at least five orcas heading south along the shore of Rocky Point, on the north side of the Naval Air Station Whidbey, including a cow and calf.
May 21
Sally Reeve called at 8:30 AM to report about ten orcas heading west toward Ice Berg Pt. at the south tip of Lopez.
May 21
J pod off Lime Kiln Park
Photo by Andrew Lees
May 21
This afternoon we caught up with several members of Jpod including J27 Blackberry, J28 Polaris and the new calf J44, just south of Lime Kiln Park. We followed about 12 members of Jpod that also included J17 Princess Angeline, J34 Doublestuff and J38 Cooke, as they moved north along the west side of San Juan Island up to Andrew's Bay. The rest of Jpod could be seen in the distance near Stuart Island.
We also saw this afternoon a Brown Pelican just south of Lime Kiln Whale Park.
Andrew Lees
Marine Naturalist
Five Star Whale Watching
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 21
Hi, Susan.
On May 21 around 8:45 pm, a group of about 8 orcas were travelling eastward through Active Pass. They were moving quite quickly but we saw one spy hop.
It is our first sighting of the season, although fellow whale watchers from Georgeson Bay tell me it is the third time they have seen them in the Pass this week. it was dusk and the light was very low but I am including some photos for ID purposes anyway. Please let me know who they were. Thanks.
Cheers,
Karoline
Galiano Island
woensdag 20 mei 2009
J pd in Haro Strait
May 20
- Wednesday
Today we came across J Pod in Haro Strait headed north toward Stuart Island at 1:30 p.m. We watched Granny (J-2) and Ruffles (J-1) as they headed up the pod working their way north. The whales were in sub pod family groups, with lots of tail slapping going on, some foraging, and lots of traveling behavior. Big brother, Riptide (J-30) was right with his new sibling J-14's new calf. It was a beautiful day on the water with the added bonus of sunshine and warm temperatures. What a day! We left J pod as they headed north past Turn Point on Stuart Island, at 2:40 p.m.
~Nan Simpson
Marine Naturalist
May 20
J Pod with some K's traveling north against an ebbing tide in Haro Strait from 1:15pm to 2:30pm. The family groups were loosely spread out diving and foraging, then showed an array of behaviors as they closed in on Stuart Island; fluke and pectoral slaps, a few breaches, lunges, and flashes of male parts! (It'll be interesting to see if there are any new calves, in about a year and a half, from those K-13/ K-20 girls!!)
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions
- Wednesday
Today we came across J Pod in Haro Strait headed north toward Stuart Island at 1:30 p.m. We watched Granny (J-2) and Ruffles (J-1) as they headed up the pod working their way north. The whales were in sub pod family groups, with lots of tail slapping going on, some foraging, and lots of traveling behavior. Big brother, Riptide (J-30) was right with his new sibling J-14's new calf. It was a beautiful day on the water with the added bonus of sunshine and warm temperatures. What a day! We left J pod as they headed north past Turn Point on Stuart Island, at 2:40 p.m.
~Nan Simpson
Marine Naturalist
May 20
J Pod with some K's traveling north against an ebbing tide in Haro Strait from 1:15pm to 2:30pm. The family groups were loosely spread out diving and foraging, then showed an array of behaviors as they closed in on Stuart Island; fluke and pectoral slaps, a few breaches, lunges, and flashes of male parts! (It'll be interesting to see if there are any new calves, in about a year and a half, from those K-13/ K-20 girls!!)
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions
dinsdag 19 mei 2009
maandag 18 mei 2009
J17 & J44
Eagle Pt,
San Juan Island
May 18, 2009
Photo by
Jeff Almquist
May 18
Well, I wasn't too thrilled to be doing outdoor work in the rain today, but it sure paid off later! After getting completely soaked over on Stuart Island, I figured I'd head home via Haro Strait since it was so flat. As we rounded Turn Point, we saw an eagle diving with talons extended fully and try and grab a salmon (he missed). Then I got a call that J-Pod had slowly made it's way past Kellett Bluff (they were at False Bay early this morning, so they were definitely not in any sort of hurry! With only 2 boats within 10 miles of whales, it was very serene as the whales slowly meandered by. We saw J17 and new calf J44, as well as J30 Riptide doing very long dives. Even J1 Ruffles was easy to spot in the flat calm water well over a mile away! Blows would carry so far across the water that many times we'd hear the blow and turn to look for the whale and only see a footprint on the water. After watching for about 15 minutes, we were so thoroughly soaked through that we had to reluctantly head for the dock and the warmth of home. It was a gray and rainy J Pod day!
John Boyd (JB)., Marine Naturalist, SSAMN Member, Friday Harbor
zondag 17 mei 2009
May 17
J's and K's went to Jordan River area stopped and turned around. Were off the Canadian PT. no PT.at 1700 going East at about 10kts.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.
May 17
At 9am we received confirmed report from Ron Bates, MMRG, that J Pod had been sighted near Sooke heading west. By the time we caught up with JPod at 12.45pm, they were already traveling south in the Strait of Juan De Fuca a few miles from Sheringham Point (see above photo). We watched JPod in close formation surfing the waves in the strait. Later in the afternoon we heard that JPod had already reached Jordan River and were continueing west. Looks like they have headed out west but hopefully will be back soon. This was my first encounter with Jpod this season and it was such a wonderful feeling to see "Granny", "Ruffles", "Polaris" and the rest of Jpod, especially the new calf: )
Andrew Lees, Marine Naturalist, Five Star Whale Watching
J's and K's went to Jordan River area stopped and turned around. Were off the Canadian PT. no PT.at 1700 going East at about 10kts.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.
May 17
At 9am we received confirmed report from Ron Bates, MMRG, that J Pod had been sighted near Sooke heading west. By the time we caught up with JPod at 12.45pm, they were already traveling south in the Strait of Juan De Fuca a few miles from Sheringham Point (see above photo). We watched JPod in close formation surfing the waves in the strait. Later in the afternoon we heard that JPod had already reached Jordan River and were continueing west. Looks like they have headed out west but hopefully will be back soon. This was my first encounter with Jpod this season and it was such a wonderful feeling to see "Granny", "Ruffles", "Polaris" and the rest of Jpod, especially the new calf: )
Andrew Lees, Marine Naturalist, Five Star Whale Watching
zaterdag 16 mei 2009
May 16
5/16/2009 ORCASOUND
22:10 - Jan start listening. Faint call on the Orcasound hydrophone. 22:16 -They are calling occasionally. Probably Jpod. 22:21 - Calls are fading away. 22:25 -The whales are coming closer. 22:37 Calls are fading away. 22:53-Occasionaly faint calls audible after a short period of 15 minutes silence. 23:04 Jan stop listening. Switching to Limekiln.
5/16/2009 LIMEKILN
23:07 - Jan start listening. Calls of J pod are audible. There is some boat noise. 23:20 Calls stop.
May 16
1805: Vickie from Kent and Carlie from Edmonton reported hearing calls first. Sound like S44 looks but not sure.
1818: Clear calls, buzzes pops on Orca Sound hydrophones. Recording.
Eric McRae
May 16
Calls on the Lime Kiln hydrophones - for a couple minutes then faded out beginning at 1748, it's 1752 now.
Update at 8 pm: Still hearing calls, squeeks, and what sounded like possible echolocation? (sounds like tapping on metal..) I think the echolocation was happening during what sounded like some blow hole burps, very low sounding squeeks (like a human with gas! hah) so was assuming they were possibly hunting some fish/prey? It went on and off for about 30-40 minutes, never really fading out, staying in the same area and very clear. The echolocation was very loud.
I also heard alot of boats, some seem very fast and loud. A big ship passed, about a little bit after 1900, for about a half hour, and now I'm getting ALOT of noise of squeeks, and squeals and calls!!! It's not extremely loud, but it's very audible. I started listening at 1738, got calls at 1748 and continued until now (2000), and we are still getting them. More the squeeks and squeals this time. Sounds like several, rather than a few? I'm just learning the hydrophone listening.. It's like being blind, I can hear but can't see! I'll be up on San Juan Island tomorrow for the day!
Vickie Doyle, Kent
May 16
I heard calls at around 6:40 (Edmonton time) Short bursts. Possibly hunting calls. Still listening, but haven't heard anything recently. Will let you know if any other sounds are heard.
Carlie
May 16
From 5:30-7:30 PM we watched a very spread out J-Pod head slowly south past Lime Kiln Lighthouse.
Monika Wieland, San Juan Island
May 16
J pod went south past Landbank between 5:20pm and 5:50pm, traveling slowly and widely spread on glassy water. When we returned from a tasty and fun Whale Museum Greeting Ceremony benefit dinner (a big thank you to all those who worked so hard to put this event on), J16 and her family were hanging out at Landbank at about 9pm, heading south but being pushed by the flood tide north. The "whoosh," "whoosh's" were loud and magical. After staying in the same hundred yards or so for at least a half hour, J16 and family picked up speed and began traveling south. It was getting pretty dark by this time. Almost as soon as the J16's moved south, J27 and his siblings appeared, whoosh, whooshing and moving south. Three whales came within 10 yards of shore, Ruffles (J1) and Granny (J2) and another whale that I could not identify by sight, but that had a familiar whistle--must be Speiden (J8) I'm thinking. Ruffles' exhalations in such still air exploded in the night. As I wrote this, faint calls at the LimeKiln hydrophones were becoming louder, but after boat noise came and went, the calls have disappeared, at least for now. Cheers and thanks for all you do.
Sharon Grace, San Juan Island
May 16
May 16th, we were on the road to lime kiln around 6:45 pm and saw the two adult whales, but we saw three babies. Two were still small, and one was very tiny, smaller than the two. It looks like it was J pod, J44 and J45, but who was that small-small one? It almost looked like a porpoise, and if we didn't hear it's exhalation, we thought it just might be. One of the bigger but still small babies, stayed near an adult. The other bigger small baby swam a little bit away, and the tiny one stayed with that one. And the other adult stayed in closer to shore? Just wanted to mention it. We were lucky to see them whoever they were!
The Kane Family, Sammamish, WA
5/16/2009 ORCASOUND
22:10 - Jan start listening. Faint call on the Orcasound hydrophone. 22:16 -They are calling occasionally. Probably Jpod. 22:21 - Calls are fading away. 22:25 -The whales are coming closer. 22:37 Calls are fading away. 22:53-Occasionaly faint calls audible after a short period of 15 minutes silence. 23:04 Jan stop listening. Switching to Limekiln.
5/16/2009 LIMEKILN
23:07 - Jan start listening. Calls of J pod are audible. There is some boat noise. 23:20 Calls stop.
May 16
1805: Vickie from Kent and Carlie from Edmonton reported hearing calls first. Sound like S44 looks but not sure.
1818: Clear calls, buzzes pops on Orca Sound hydrophones. Recording.
Eric McRae
May 16
Calls on the Lime Kiln hydrophones - for a couple minutes then faded out beginning at 1748, it's 1752 now.
Update at 8 pm: Still hearing calls, squeeks, and what sounded like possible echolocation? (sounds like tapping on metal..) I think the echolocation was happening during what sounded like some blow hole burps, very low sounding squeeks (like a human with gas! hah) so was assuming they were possibly hunting some fish/prey? It went on and off for about 30-40 minutes, never really fading out, staying in the same area and very clear. The echolocation was very loud.
I also heard alot of boats, some seem very fast and loud. A big ship passed, about a little bit after 1900, for about a half hour, and now I'm getting ALOT of noise of squeeks, and squeals and calls!!! It's not extremely loud, but it's very audible. I started listening at 1738, got calls at 1748 and continued until now (2000), and we are still getting them. More the squeeks and squeals this time. Sounds like several, rather than a few? I'm just learning the hydrophone listening.. It's like being blind, I can hear but can't see! I'll be up on San Juan Island tomorrow for the day!
Vickie Doyle, Kent
May 16
I heard calls at around 6:40 (Edmonton time) Short bursts. Possibly hunting calls. Still listening, but haven't heard anything recently. Will let you know if any other sounds are heard.
Carlie
May 16
From 5:30-7:30 PM we watched a very spread out J-Pod head slowly south past Lime Kiln Lighthouse.
Monika Wieland, San Juan Island
May 16
J pod went south past Landbank between 5:20pm and 5:50pm, traveling slowly and widely spread on glassy water. When we returned from a tasty and fun Whale Museum Greeting Ceremony benefit dinner (a big thank you to all those who worked so hard to put this event on), J16 and her family were hanging out at Landbank at about 9pm, heading south but being pushed by the flood tide north. The "whoosh," "whoosh's" were loud and magical. After staying in the same hundred yards or so for at least a half hour, J16 and family picked up speed and began traveling south. It was getting pretty dark by this time. Almost as soon as the J16's moved south, J27 and his siblings appeared, whoosh, whooshing and moving south. Three whales came within 10 yards of shore, Ruffles (J1) and Granny (J2) and another whale that I could not identify by sight, but that had a familiar whistle--must be Speiden (J8) I'm thinking. Ruffles' exhalations in such still air exploded in the night. As I wrote this, faint calls at the LimeKiln hydrophones were becoming louder, but after boat noise came and went, the calls have disappeared, at least for now. Cheers and thanks for all you do.
Sharon Grace, San Juan Island
May 16
May 16th, we were on the road to lime kiln around 6:45 pm and saw the two adult whales, but we saw three babies. Two were still small, and one was very tiny, smaller than the two. It looks like it was J pod, J44 and J45, but who was that small-small one? It almost looked like a porpoise, and if we didn't hear it's exhalation, we thought it just might be. One of the bigger but still small babies, stayed near an adult. The other bigger small baby swam a little bit away, and the tiny one stayed with that one. And the other adult stayed in closer to shore? Just wanted to mention it. We were lucky to see them whoever they were!
The Kane Family, Sammamish, WA
vrijdag 15 mei 2009
May 15
A lovely, calm, sunny day on the water! From about 1:15pm to 2:15pm, we watched J- Pod very slowly swimming north across Open Bay, off of San Juan Island, against the ebbing tide. They were bunched up into 2 close, tight groups. A beautiful sight to see all those fins coming up together and one after another, with glimpses of J-44 & J-45 tucked in the middle. Their yellowy- orangey patches really stand out! The Orcas seemed to be resting, almost treading water in the same area for quite awhile, then there was some tail lobbing from a few trailing whales and a surprise flash of a "pink floyd"! Reports were of a few of K-Pod with J-Pod. At about 2pm they seemed to wake up, changed direction heading fairly fast south, then they all dove for a few minutes, came up, turned back north, picking up speed as they swam toward Stuart Island. I can only imagine the 'conversation' that took place in deciding the directional changes! Lots of rotund harbor seals sharing space with 3 adult & 2 young eagles- feeding on a fish- on Sentinel Rocks, further awing our visitors with the diversity of wildlife that call the Salish Sea home!
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions
May 15
Awesome day on the water, Friday May 15th. I was on a Zodiac and we encountered J pod in resting formation off Kellett Bluff, Henry Island at 12 noon. They were really bunched up together which was amazing to see. They headed slowly north against an ebbing tide. Conditions were fantastic. Saw Ruffles and Granny. Image is cropped in (see photo above) .
Marie . Orca-Magic Prince Of Whales
May 15
With the sun shining and the water sparkling, Captain Nancy, the other naturalist Tristen, a group of (as always) enthusiastic and eager guests, and I took off from Friday Harbor with the hopes of meeting up with J pod. To the excitement of guests, naturalists, and captains alike, J pod (the most resident pod [pod = family unit] from the Southern Resident Community) has been in the area almost every day for the past couple weeks. Captain Nancy heard word that the group was moving slowly up Henry Island. We arrived on scene between Henry and Stuart Island around 1:40 pm to find what appeared to be all of J pod moving in one tight knit group and travelling in a resting pattern. The group moved slowly along. They had no particular destination in mind, switching directions at will. Distinct members of the pod, like - J26 (Mike), J27 (Blackberry), J1 (Ruffles), the two babies (!), and J30 (Riptide), swam amongst the pod. All members made their appearance for the crowd of pleased guests. It was a wonderful afternoon for whale viewing due to the mild weather and calm waters. J pod also made the viewing pleasant because of their slow travel and tight knit group.
On the way back toward Friday Harbor we travelled alongside Speiden, stopping first at Sentinel Rock to glispe at an adult bald eagle and hauled out harbor seals. Grazing and meandering on Speiden's southside we saw a few fallow deer and quite a few herds of both male and female muflon sheep. In a tree overhanging the water in the middle of Speiden's southside shoreline we spotted a bald eagle watching over its nest, which has a chick in this season! We had a full array of wildlife to view today and all returned happy and worn out from a wildlife- packed afternoon!
Ashley Chapman, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
A lovely, calm, sunny day on the water! From about 1:15pm to 2:15pm, we watched J- Pod very slowly swimming north across Open Bay, off of San Juan Island, against the ebbing tide. They were bunched up into 2 close, tight groups. A beautiful sight to see all those fins coming up together and one after another, with glimpses of J-44 & J-45 tucked in the middle. Their yellowy- orangey patches really stand out! The Orcas seemed to be resting, almost treading water in the same area for quite awhile, then there was some tail lobbing from a few trailing whales and a surprise flash of a "pink floyd"! Reports were of a few of K-Pod with J-Pod. At about 2pm they seemed to wake up, changed direction heading fairly fast south, then they all dove for a few minutes, came up, turned back north, picking up speed as they swam toward Stuart Island. I can only imagine the 'conversation' that took place in deciding the directional changes! Lots of rotund harbor seals sharing space with 3 adult & 2 young eagles- feeding on a fish- on Sentinel Rocks, further awing our visitors with the diversity of wildlife that call the Salish Sea home!
Caroline Armon, San Juan Excursions
May 15
Awesome day on the water, Friday May 15th. I was on a Zodiac and we encountered J pod in resting formation off Kellett Bluff, Henry Island at 12 noon. They were really bunched up together which was amazing to see. They headed slowly north against an ebbing tide. Conditions were fantastic. Saw Ruffles and Granny. Image is cropped in (see photo above) .
Marie . Orca-Magic Prince Of Whales
May 15
With the sun shining and the water sparkling, Captain Nancy, the other naturalist Tristen, a group of (as always) enthusiastic and eager guests, and I took off from Friday Harbor with the hopes of meeting up with J pod. To the excitement of guests, naturalists, and captains alike, J pod (the most resident pod [pod = family unit] from the Southern Resident Community) has been in the area almost every day for the past couple weeks. Captain Nancy heard word that the group was moving slowly up Henry Island. We arrived on scene between Henry and Stuart Island around 1:40 pm to find what appeared to be all of J pod moving in one tight knit group and travelling in a resting pattern. The group moved slowly along. They had no particular destination in mind, switching directions at will. Distinct members of the pod, like - J26 (Mike), J27 (Blackberry), J1 (Ruffles), the two babies (!), and J30 (Riptide), swam amongst the pod. All members made their appearance for the crowd of pleased guests. It was a wonderful afternoon for whale viewing due to the mild weather and calm waters. J pod also made the viewing pleasant because of their slow travel and tight knit group.
On the way back toward Friday Harbor we travelled alongside Speiden, stopping first at Sentinel Rock to glispe at an adult bald eagle and hauled out harbor seals. Grazing and meandering on Speiden's southside we saw a few fallow deer and quite a few herds of both male and female muflon sheep. In a tree overhanging the water in the middle of Speiden's southside shoreline we spotted a bald eagle watching over its nest, which has a chick in this season! We had a full array of wildlife to view today and all returned happy and worn out from a wildlife- packed afternoon!
Ashley Chapman, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
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).
May 15
Beam Reach called in a report at 2 pm - they were near the entrance to Speiden Channel, and had been with J pod & the few K's that have been with them, from 9:30 this morning at Lime Kiln, heading N/NW with lots of resting.
May 15
Orcas (likely J pod) traveling N at Hannah Heights with calls audible on Lime Kiln and Orcasound hydrophones at 9 am.
Sharon Grace, San Juan Island
May 15
Calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophones 8:47 am.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
May 15
Shari Tarantino emailed a couple reports of calls on the Lime Kiln hydrophoness at 8:15 and 8:50 am.
Eric McRae
Beam Reach called in a report at 2 pm - they were near the entrance to Speiden Channel, and had been with J pod & the few K's that have been with them, from 9:30 this morning at Lime Kiln, heading N/NW with lots of resting.
May 15
Orcas (likely J pod) traveling N at Hannah Heights with calls audible on Lime Kiln and Orcasound hydrophones at 9 am.
Sharon Grace, San Juan Island
May 15
Calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophones 8:47 am.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
May 15
Shari Tarantino emailed a couple reports of calls on the Lime Kiln hydrophoness at 8:15 and 8:50 am.
Eric McRae
donderdag 14 mei 2009
May 14
Capt. Jim Maya of Maya's Westside Charters called at 7:40 pm to relay they were leaving J's & some K's 3 miles NW of the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse, heading NE toward Lopez Island.
May 14
From Beam Reach - 12:49 pm: J pod traveling WNW at Salmon Bank spread out. Listen on Lime Kiln and Orcasound this afternoon?
Then an update:
5 pm: Beam Reach observed J-pod foraging as they traveled south from Iceberg Pt. to Salmon Bank to Hein Bank and on south. Students saw a salmon jumping from the water in front of foraging orcas. Listen to the hydrophone network tonight. Are they going west? Pt. Townsend?
May 14
I was out on the POW, 'Ocean Magic' trip at 12.15pm today May 14th, which took us out east toward San Juan Island where we met up with J 16, family group of five whales between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. Little J 42, 'Echo' was clearly visible along with big brother Mike, J 26. They were travelling south west off Hein Bank (see rest of report below under Minkes).
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca- Magic, Prince Of Whales
May 14
One of my friends is on her way to Victoria on the ferry out of Anacortes. She and her husband spotted J-Pod with the new baby off Blakely Island at 8:15 AM today, northbound. She said the ferry slowed to a crawl and the whales were pretty close to the boat and "put on quite a show."
Vicky Miller, Marysville
Capt. Jim Maya of Maya's Westside Charters called at 7:40 pm to relay they were leaving J's & some K's 3 miles NW of the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse, heading NE toward Lopez Island.
May 14
From Beam Reach - 12:49 pm: J pod traveling WNW at Salmon Bank spread out. Listen on Lime Kiln and Orcasound this afternoon?
Then an update:
5 pm: Beam Reach observed J-pod foraging as they traveled south from Iceberg Pt. to Salmon Bank to Hein Bank and on south. Students saw a salmon jumping from the water in front of foraging orcas. Listen to the hydrophone network tonight. Are they going west? Pt. Townsend?
May 14
I was out on the POW, 'Ocean Magic' trip at 12.15pm today May 14th, which took us out east toward San Juan Island where we met up with J 16, family group of five whales between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. Little J 42, 'Echo' was clearly visible along with big brother Mike, J 26. They were travelling south west off Hein Bank (see rest of report below under Minkes).
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca- Magic, Prince Of Whales
May 14
One of my friends is on her way to Victoria on the ferry out of Anacortes. She and her husband spotted J-Pod with the new baby off Blakely Island at 8:15 AM today, northbound. She said the ferry slowed to a crawl and the whales were pretty close to the boat and "put on quite a show."
Vicky Miller, Marysville
dinsdag 12 mei 2009
May 12
We last saw J pod traveling N in Swanson Channel Tuesday evening. Throughout their passage up Haro Strait they traveled at 5+ knots, so we were unable to observe them with our towed hydrophone array.
Beam Reach crew, aboard the Gato Verde
May 12
We left the dock at Snug at 11:00 AM since both Jeanne and Jeff Hogan had seen members of J Pod on the West Side of SJI. Alas, they headed into big seas south of Discovery Is. and no one could find them. We came back in at 1:30, and I proceeded to go to Hannah Hts. to look for them. Jeanne began to hear them, but I still couldn't see them. By around 3:30 or so, they appeared at Lime Kiln headed north. We got everyone back onto the boat and by 4:00 the leaders were almost to Henry Is. still going N. Ken Balcomb and David Ellifrit came out and took pictures. We left them at 5:30, with Ken and Dave still on scene, still headed N toward Turn Pt. I didn't see all the Js, but I think other boats did, including J1 and J2. There were some Ks with them still.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters, San Juan Island
We last saw J pod traveling N in Swanson Channel Tuesday evening. Throughout their passage up Haro Strait they traveled at 5+ knots, so we were unable to observe them with our towed hydrophone array.
Beam Reach crew, aboard the Gato Verde
May 12
We left the dock at Snug at 11:00 AM since both Jeanne and Jeff Hogan had seen members of J Pod on the West Side of SJI. Alas, they headed into big seas south of Discovery Is. and no one could find them. We came back in at 1:30, and I proceeded to go to Hannah Hts. to look for them. Jeanne began to hear them, but I still couldn't see them. By around 3:30 or so, they appeared at Lime Kiln headed north. We got everyone back onto the boat and by 4:00 the leaders were almost to Henry Is. still going N. Ken Balcomb and David Ellifrit came out and took pictures. We left them at 5:30, with Ken and Dave still on scene, still headed N toward Turn Pt. I didn't see all the Js, but I think other boats did, including J1 and J2. There were some Ks with them still.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters, San Juan Island
May 12
I heard that earlier this morning, J Pod was seen about 3 miles south of Discovery Island heading west. So I thought, OK, they're out of here for a few days. But much to my surprise, at 4:00 PM, I saw J Pod heading north past the Center for Whale Research!!! DOH! At least they are hanging around regularly these days!
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Friday Harbor, Member, SSAMN
May 12
Been recording calls amid ship noise on both Lime Kiln and Orca Sound hydrophones since 1452.
Eric McRae
May 12
Thanks Jette! It's rough out and blowing 17m/s but you were right. We on the Beam Reach research vessel have just seen multiple breaches about 2km offshore from Lime Kiln at ~ 4 pm. The whales appear to be traveling slowly northward.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach
May 12
After I received message that orca's were heading west, I started listening to the Lime Kiln Hydrophone - and waiting and patience paid off! Right now, 2:38 pm PST - very faint calls but definetely southern residents!
Then an update at 4:08 pm:
About 1.5 hour ago I heard faint calls at the Lime Kiln hydrophone. Just now, since a few minutes, really clear calls at the OrcaSound hydrophone. Too bad the boat noise is just - - boat noise.
Jette, the Netherlands
May 12
Around 4 pm we heard some strange and faint whistles on the Lime Kiln hydrophone - then ship noise drowned them out. Didn't sound like the usual J pod calls, but they were pretty faint and hard to detect.
Susan Berta, Orca Network
May 12
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research called to relay a report of J pod off Hannah Heights, west San Juan Island earlier this morning, and at 10:20 am south of Discovery Island heading west.
May 12
08:30 J pod at S end of SJI traveling W toward Discovery Island.
Ivan Reiff, Western Prince, San Juan Island
I heard that earlier this morning, J Pod was seen about 3 miles south of Discovery Island heading west. So I thought, OK, they're out of here for a few days. But much to my surprise, at 4:00 PM, I saw J Pod heading north past the Center for Whale Research!!! DOH! At least they are hanging around regularly these days!
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Friday Harbor, Member, SSAMN
May 12
Been recording calls amid ship noise on both Lime Kiln and Orca Sound hydrophones since 1452.
Eric McRae
May 12
Thanks Jette! It's rough out and blowing 17m/s but you were right. We on the Beam Reach research vessel have just seen multiple breaches about 2km offshore from Lime Kiln at ~ 4 pm. The whales appear to be traveling slowly northward.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach
May 12
After I received message that orca's were heading west, I started listening to the Lime Kiln Hydrophone - and waiting and patience paid off! Right now, 2:38 pm PST - very faint calls but definetely southern residents!
Then an update at 4:08 pm:
About 1.5 hour ago I heard faint calls at the Lime Kiln hydrophone. Just now, since a few minutes, really clear calls at the OrcaSound hydrophone. Too bad the boat noise is just - - boat noise.
Jette, the Netherlands
May 12
Around 4 pm we heard some strange and faint whistles on the Lime Kiln hydrophone - then ship noise drowned them out. Didn't sound like the usual J pod calls, but they were pretty faint and hard to detect.
Susan Berta, Orca Network
May 12
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research called to relay a report of J pod off Hannah Heights, west San Juan Island earlier this morning, and at 10:20 am south of Discovery Island heading west.
May 12
08:30 J pod at S end of SJI traveling W toward Discovery Island.
Ivan Reiff, Western Prince, San Juan Island
maandag 11 mei 2009
May 11
We had a great encounter with J pod today in the Straight of Georgia. They were breaching like crazy and we saw several spyhops as well. It was a bit rainy when we first arrived on scene, but luckily the sun came out for us and we got an amazing show!
Jill Persick, Steveston Seabreeze Adventures
P.S. I've attached a photo of a breach from the many we saw today (see photo below) . Unfortunately, my lens was zoomed out too far to catch the double breach!
Orca Breach
Strait of Georgia
May 11, 2009
Photo by Jill Persick
We had a great encounter with J pod today in the Straight of Georgia. They were breaching like crazy and we saw several spyhops as well. It was a bit rainy when we first arrived on scene, but luckily the sun came out for us and we got an amazing show!
Jill Persick, Steveston Seabreeze Adventures
P.S. I've attached a photo of a breach from the many we saw today (see photo below) . Unfortunately, my lens was zoomed out too far to catch the double breach!
Orca Breach
Strait of Georgia
May 11, 2009
Photo by Jill Persick
zondag 10 mei 2009
J1 & J2
Rosario Strait
May 10, 2009
Photo by
Kate Janes
May 10
We observed J pod making only clicks for almost 1.5 hours as they traveled northwestward from between Matia and Orcas Islands. Then they began milling and whistling intensely. They were again traveling northward slowly when we left them at 6 pm. Maybe listen to Orcasound tonight as they occasionally seemed to travel towards Boundary Pass.
Beam Reach students onboard the Gato Verde
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
Js at Lumni Island
May 10
Mother's Day whales off west side Lummi Island right around noon! (They say it's an annual Mother's Day event here) - for many of us, first orca sightings of the year on the Lummi side. Looked to be J pod - a few small groups ambling pretty close to shore, with a baby tucked in close in one of the groups. Didn't see J1 - he may have been off by himself, farther out. Amazingly enough, there were NO whalewatch boats - they must have had something else to look at elsewhere! Beautiful calm day - could hear the whales blowing still when they were miles away!
Penny Stone, Lummi Island
May 10
The Beam Reach students were with J pod at 5:45 pm, traveling north from between Matia & Orcas Islands. By 7:25 pm they were west of Patos Island.
Mother's Day whales off west side Lummi Island right around noon! (They say it's an annual Mother's Day event here) - for many of us, first orca sightings of the year on the Lummi side. Looked to be J pod - a few small groups ambling pretty close to shore, with a baby tucked in close in one of the groups. Didn't see J1 - he may have been off by himself, farther out. Amazingly enough, there were NO whalewatch boats - they must have had something else to look at elsewhere! Beautiful calm day - could hear the whales blowing still when they were miles away!
Penny Stone, Lummi Island
May 10
The Beam Reach students were with J pod at 5:45 pm, traveling north from between Matia & Orcas Islands. By 7:25 pm they were west of Patos Island.
zaterdag 9 mei 2009
J & K pods
with new calves
Boundary Pass
May , 2009
Photo by Ivan Reiff
May 9
After having an amazing encounter with small groups of Dall's Porpoises, literally 100's of Harbor Porpoises, and about a dozen Steller Sea Lions feeding on Skates off of Patos Island this afternoon, we found J-Pod (and part of K-Pod) traveling northbound in tight formation west of Alden Bank at 2:45 PM. It was a truly breathtaking sight to see! (see above photo)
Ivan Reiff, Owner/Captain, "Western Explorer", Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours
vrijdag 8 mei 2009
Js calling
May 8
Not sure why I can't sleep, but J pod calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophone at 2:23am! and OrcaSound too (N. of Lime Kiln, so J's are heading north) at 2:27 am. Help!
Jeff Hogan, Killer Whale Tales, Seattle
Not sure why I can't sleep, but J pod calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophone at 2:23am! and OrcaSound too (N. of Lime Kiln, so J's are heading north) at 2:27 am. Help!
Jeff Hogan, Killer Whale Tales, Seattle
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
Granny, "J2", and
Grand-calf, J45
Strait of Georgia May 8, 2009
Photo by Joan Lopez
May 8
After a brief visit with some Dall's Porpoises in the middle of the Strait of Georgia, we encountered J Pod a little further south, shortly before noon, with flat calm conditions. The pod was spread out over miles, and were travelling slowly southeast in matriline groups. Our boat first encountered the J2 Matriline, with new calf J45. It was thrilling to see J Pod again after a long winter, and even better to see that all the whales look fat and healthy. It warmed my heart to see Granny take a turn at babysitting the little one - photo attached (see above - aaaww!) (zoomed and cropped). We also had an opportunity to visit with the J17 group (Princess Angeline and family). Little J44 seems to be quite the explorer, often swimming ahead of the remainder of the family, and showing off some fine tail slaps as well. We were fortunate to also encounter J16 and family after our visit with gray whales. This group was the furthest east, and were just rounding the tip of Point Roberts, travelling in about 10 feet of water, heading towards Boundary Bay. For all the distance that the pod was spread, we heard no vocals on the hydrophone, just some echolocation clicks.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch
donderdag 7 mei 2009
May 7
Center for Whale Research staff Dave Ellifrit, Erin Heydenreich and guest John Boyd encountered J pod 1.5 miles off Hannah Heights (48° 29.08 N, 123° 07.31 W) t 6:53 p.m. The whales were spread out in groups and traveling west. The encounter ended a few miles off False Bay 48° 27.13 N, 123° 06.58 W), at 7:59 p.m. with the whales heading steadily southwest.
May 7
As I am writing this, I am once again listening to what sounds like J pod calls on the Lime Kiln hydrophone at 8 p.m. We heard calls on the OrcaSound (further N. on SJI) hydrophone at 6:07 pm, then began hearing calls at Lime Kiln at 7:33 pm, so they must be moving south.
Susan & Howard, Orca Network
May 7
Hi, tonight around 7-8pm there were orca on the Lime Kiln hydrophone, they kept getting weaker and weaker as the 8pm hour arrived. Could not tell which direction the whales were heading Great to hear them though.
Sandy Weideman
May 7
6:57 pm - Faint Calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophones.
7:40 pm - Calls getting louder on Lime Kiln Hydrophone. Sounds possibly like J pod. Cathy Bacon, Texas
May 7
What an afternoon. First the Transients, then the Js at Iceberg Pt. S Lopez Island,
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
May 7
While at home doing computer work, got a call from Shane about a report of orcas in the south end of Bellingham Channel headed south. Went upstairs to the scope and saw at least three groupings of orcas cruising past Fidalgo Head toward Burrows Island lighthouse in Rosario Strait. Saw Ruffles and two other sprouted males, a tiny babe, and some activity: spy hops, tummy-up tail lobs and pec fin slaps. They were going at a pretty good clip, I'm guessing with the ebb tide. So fun to see them from home!
Shane & Jennifer Aggergaard, Island Adventures, Inc., Anacortes
May 7
What an absolutely incredible day. I'd heard that J's were slowly making their way around Lopez this afternoon, and that Transients were between Discovery & San Juan Islands heading north. After watching the Transients, we decided to head down towards False Bay to see J-Pod. We did manage to spot J17 and new calf J44, along with J16, J26, J27, J41.The Residents were quite spread out over several miles and were meandering slowly towards the southeast. (remainder of report below)
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Friday Harbor
Center for Whale Research staff Dave Ellifrit, Erin Heydenreich and guest John Boyd encountered J pod 1.5 miles off Hannah Heights (48° 29.08 N, 123° 07.31 W) t 6:53 p.m. The whales were spread out in groups and traveling west. The encounter ended a few miles off False Bay 48° 27.13 N, 123° 06.58 W), at 7:59 p.m. with the whales heading steadily southwest.
May 7
As I am writing this, I am once again listening to what sounds like J pod calls on the Lime Kiln hydrophone at 8 p.m. We heard calls on the OrcaSound (further N. on SJI) hydrophone at 6:07 pm, then began hearing calls at Lime Kiln at 7:33 pm, so they must be moving south.
Susan & Howard, Orca Network
May 7
Hi, tonight around 7-8pm there were orca on the Lime Kiln hydrophone, they kept getting weaker and weaker as the 8pm hour arrived. Could not tell which direction the whales were heading Great to hear them though.
Sandy Weideman
May 7
6:57 pm - Faint Calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophones.
7:40 pm - Calls getting louder on Lime Kiln Hydrophone. Sounds possibly like J pod. Cathy Bacon, Texas
May 7
What an afternoon. First the Transients, then the Js at Iceberg Pt. S Lopez Island,
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island
May 7
While at home doing computer work, got a call from Shane about a report of orcas in the south end of Bellingham Channel headed south. Went upstairs to the scope and saw at least three groupings of orcas cruising past Fidalgo Head toward Burrows Island lighthouse in Rosario Strait. Saw Ruffles and two other sprouted males, a tiny babe, and some activity: spy hops, tummy-up tail lobs and pec fin slaps. They were going at a pretty good clip, I'm guessing with the ebb tide. So fun to see them from home!
Shane & Jennifer Aggergaard, Island Adventures, Inc., Anacortes
May 7
What an absolutely incredible day. I'd heard that J's were slowly making their way around Lopez this afternoon, and that Transients were between Discovery & San Juan Islands heading north. After watching the Transients, we decided to head down towards False Bay to see J-Pod. We did manage to spot J17 and new calf J44, along with J16, J26, J27, J41.The Residents were quite spread out over several miles and were meandering slowly towards the southeast. (remainder of report below)
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Friday Harbor
woensdag 6 mei 2009
dinsdag 5 mei 2009
J pod is calling on Lime Kiln hydrophones
May 5
Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research responded to a report of J pod on the west side of San Juan Island, May 5th, 2009. At 5:48 p.m. the J14's were encountered traveling slowly toward the southeast just off False Bay (48° 27.61 N, 123° 06.58 W). The K13's soon join up with the J14's and begin heading northwest. At 7:40 p.m. Dave finds the J22's followed by the J16's. The whales were spread out in groups all traveling north at a slow pace. The encounter ended 1 mile west of Lime Kiln State Park (48° 30.95 N, 123° 10.22 W) at 8:20 p.m.
May 5 - 6
As I am writing this, I am still listening to calls on the Orcasound hydrophone at 12:20 a.m. Today (actually yesterday 5/5) I got my first good look at the whales this year. It was so good to see J pod all afternoon, then listen to them most the night, barring ship noise. I saw both of the newest calves, J44 and J45 for the first time. Both were romping around, tail slapping, bouncing, and turning and twisting on the surface. J44 practiced his/her swan dives frequently and spent a lot of time close to J28, with J17 and J35 sticking fairly close. They joined with J8, J27, J31, J39, J19 and J41 and spent some time socializing and "foraging" as a group at Hannah Heights before moving north at around 4p.m. and continuing to "forage". All the orcas stalled out for awhile, with the northernmost whales at Lime Kiln, the southernmost off Land Bank, and J1, J2 and reportedly the J16's about 1-2 miles offshore. At about 4:45pm they headed south again. This time I got a photo of K20. (I thought there were too many whales to be just J pod. Later I learned that the K13's had been spotted by others.)
During the time I watched the whales (about 2pm to 6:30pm) they seemed to be not in the constant search for food/traveling mode that was so prevalent last year, but more relaxed and less purposeful. There was lots of social activity and lots of hanging out. Hope this continues. I also saw my first sea snake of the year-either J27 or J30, but couldn't accurately identify b/c they were traveling together and I couldn't find an ID catalog for this body part (now THERE's a good project for someone! sb). Cheers,
Sharon Grace, San Juan Island
May 5
Thanks to all the emails from folks listening in to OrcaSound, we have been listening to great J pod calls on the Orca Sound (NW San Juan Island) hydrophones since 10 pm tonight. Hope to get this out in time so you can all tune in too!
Susan & Howard, Orca Network
May 5
9:35 pm: Great chatter from Val Viers site (orcasound.net), for the last 30 mins at least.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.
May 5
Those beloved whales are within hydrophone distance - not sure who but sounds like SR's. Orcas are talking on Orcasound right now, 9:28 pm.
Marie O'Shaughnessy, POW, Victoria
May 5
Most incredible J Pod vocals on the hydrophones right now (9:26 pm)!! I'm recording and will send you a copy shortly!
John Boyd, San Juan Island
May 5
J pod heading north in Haro Strait at 8:45 pm. just starting to hear them on OrcaSound Hps right now, just coming north, far off shore.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
May 5
4:17 pm: orcas on lime kiln hydrophone, j's or k's. lots of echo location and whistles!
Jordan Ferguson
May 5
Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales called at 4:14 pm to say he was hearing J pod on the Lime Kiln Hydrophones - we tuned in at 4:40 pm and heard great, very LOUD calls!
May 5
Jim Maya of Maya's Westside Charters called at 1:44 pm to report J pod moving north up San Juan Island from Cattle Pass.
May 5
I may be an inlander (Walla Walla) but my heart's in the San Juans, and it's jumping for joy that the whales have finally come home!!!! It's been a long 44 days!
Donna Spencer, Walla Walla, Wa.
Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research responded to a report of J pod on the west side of San Juan Island, May 5th, 2009. At 5:48 p.m. the J14's were encountered traveling slowly toward the southeast just off False Bay (48° 27.61 N, 123° 06.58 W). The K13's soon join up with the J14's and begin heading northwest. At 7:40 p.m. Dave finds the J22's followed by the J16's. The whales were spread out in groups all traveling north at a slow pace. The encounter ended 1 mile west of Lime Kiln State Park (48° 30.95 N, 123° 10.22 W) at 8:20 p.m.
May 5 - 6
As I am writing this, I am still listening to calls on the Orcasound hydrophone at 12:20 a.m. Today (actually yesterday 5/5) I got my first good look at the whales this year. It was so good to see J pod all afternoon, then listen to them most the night, barring ship noise. I saw both of the newest calves, J44 and J45 for the first time. Both were romping around, tail slapping, bouncing, and turning and twisting on the surface. J44 practiced his/her swan dives frequently and spent a lot of time close to J28, with J17 and J35 sticking fairly close. They joined with J8, J27, J31, J39, J19 and J41 and spent some time socializing and "foraging" as a group at Hannah Heights before moving north at around 4p.m. and continuing to "forage". All the orcas stalled out for awhile, with the northernmost whales at Lime Kiln, the southernmost off Land Bank, and J1, J2 and reportedly the J16's about 1-2 miles offshore. At about 4:45pm they headed south again. This time I got a photo of K20. (I thought there were too many whales to be just J pod. Later I learned that the K13's had been spotted by others.)
During the time I watched the whales (about 2pm to 6:30pm) they seemed to be not in the constant search for food/traveling mode that was so prevalent last year, but more relaxed and less purposeful. There was lots of social activity and lots of hanging out. Hope this continues. I also saw my first sea snake of the year-either J27 or J30, but couldn't accurately identify b/c they were traveling together and I couldn't find an ID catalog for this body part (now THERE's a good project for someone! sb). Cheers,
Sharon Grace, San Juan Island
May 5
Thanks to all the emails from folks listening in to OrcaSound, we have been listening to great J pod calls on the Orca Sound (NW San Juan Island) hydrophones since 10 pm tonight. Hope to get this out in time so you can all tune in too!
Susan & Howard, Orca Network
May 5
9:35 pm: Great chatter from Val Viers site (orcasound.net), for the last 30 mins at least.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.
May 5
Those beloved whales are within hydrophone distance - not sure who but sounds like SR's. Orcas are talking on Orcasound right now, 9:28 pm.
Marie O'Shaughnessy, POW, Victoria
May 5
Most incredible J Pod vocals on the hydrophones right now (9:26 pm)!! I'm recording and will send you a copy shortly!
John Boyd, San Juan Island
May 5
J pod heading north in Haro Strait at 8:45 pm. just starting to hear them on OrcaSound Hps right now, just coming north, far off shore.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
May 5
4:17 pm: orcas on lime kiln hydrophone, j's or k's. lots of echo location and whistles!
Jordan Ferguson
May 5
Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales called at 4:14 pm to say he was hearing J pod on the Lime Kiln Hydrophones - we tuned in at 4:40 pm and heard great, very LOUD calls!
May 5
Jim Maya of Maya's Westside Charters called at 1:44 pm to report J pod moving north up San Juan Island from Cattle Pass.
May 5
I may be an inlander (Walla Walla) but my heart's in the San Juans, and it's jumping for joy that the whales have finally come home!!!! It's been a long 44 days!
Donna Spencer, Walla Walla, Wa.
maandag 4 mei 2009
J pod near Pender Island
May 4
Ken Balcomb and Erin Heydenreich of the Center for Whale Research encountered J pod traveling north at 4:02 P.M., just off Thieves Bay, Pender Island, B.C.(48° 47.384 N; 123° 19.350W). The whales were spread out in groups and traveling slow. At approximately 4:45 p.m. the whales grouped up and headed through Active Pass, (48° 51.327 N; 123° 20.452 W) where the encounter ended due to rain.
Report & photos at: Center for Whale Research
Ken Balcomb and Erin Heydenreich of the Center for Whale Research encountered J pod traveling north at 4:02 P.M., just off Thieves Bay, Pender Island, B.C.(48° 47.384 N; 123° 19.350W). The whales were spread out in groups and traveling slow. At approximately 4:45 p.m. the whales grouped up and headed through Active Pass, (48° 51.327 N; 123° 20.452 W) where the encounter ended due to rain.
Report & photos at: Center for Whale Research
J POD IS BACK!
J14 & calf J45
Haro Strait
May 4, 2009
Photo by
John Boyd
May 4
It was soooo great to finally get the news - J Pod was back in town. The last I heard was about 4:30 and they were in Active Pass headed North.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters
May 4
J-Pod is absent no longer!!! After 44 days of traveling hither and yon (don't ask me where "hither and yon" are, look them up yourself), J-Pod made a special appearance on the west side of San Juan! Luckily I was available this time, and took the opportunity to go out with Ivan in the new boat, Western Explorer. The whales were spread out from one side of Haro Strait to the other, and they would speed up for awhile, and then take their time and zig-zag around randomly (well, it appears random to us on the surface.) After hearing about new babies all these weeks, I was finally able to see with my own eyes J14 and her new calf J45 (see above photo)! He's (well, we'll use artistic license and say "he") sure was active as he'd surface so exuberantly! We also spotted J1 Ruffles off in the distance (about half a mile away and still so recognizable!) J30 is surely sprouting big time and it was so good to see everyone once again. I heard from Jeanne Hyde that K20 had been spotted earlier in the day, but we only saw J's in the afternoon. It did this naturalists' heart good to see familiar fins and saddles once again! Welcome back J-Pod, welcome back indeed!
John Boyd, Marine Naturalist, Western Prince
May 4
Leslie Veirs reported Southern Resident orcas off San Juan Island at Orca Sound hydrophones at 12:25 pm, heading north.
May 4
J pod came in past Clover Point to Haro Strait this morning, but it is too windy for us to go out, or even see them. Mallard got'em (see report below).
Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research
May 4
We received a call from Mark Malleson of Prince of Whales at 10:45 am reporting J POD heading NE past Oak Bay/Victoria B.C. toward San Juan Island! Another group of orcas was sighted by others south of Discovery Island, heading east in rough waters, but no ID's on them at the time.
zaterdag 2 mei 2009
Where is J Pod
Orcanetwork reports:
We recently received this email from Scott Veirs of Beam Reach:
Hi Susan and Howie, The Beam Reachers are out at Port Angeles today (4/28), listening for some incoming residents. I've been mulling over my observations from last year about springtime return patterns, and looking a bit deeper into your archives.
It seems like we have now set a record for continuous days with no J pod sightings/hearings in April. We're at about 35- 38 as far as I can discern! Am I right in thinking that in a couple days we'll have seen zero residents in April for the first time ever?
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School
Orca Network has also noticed the absence of J pod reports lately. This time of year whale reports are often few and far between, but J pod has historically been the pod that stayed around and was sighted at least once in Salish Sea waters every month of the year.
J pod has not been reported since March 20th -that means April 2009 is the first April with no reported sightings of J pod in the Salish Sea, & we are now up to 44 consecutive days with no sign of them, according to Orca Network sightings archives.
In looking back at the Annual Arrival and Departure tables compiled by Rich Osborne on the Whale Museum website, you can see the change taking place over the past few years. Since 1978 when the data was collected for all of J, K & L pod, J pod had been seen every single month of the year, every year, until 2005, when they weren't seen or reported in February. In 2006 & 2007, they weren't seen/reported in January. But every single April (& March) for the past 31 years they have shown up - so this does seem to be a disturbing trend.
Orca Network's Sightings Archive Summaries list all the sighting reports we have received, and can be searched with Google Search to look for other trends. It seems all 3 pods spent less time off the San Juans this past summer, and headed out to the ocean (or up to BC? or??) more than they have in past years, though we haven't had time to look at the exact count & compare data for this yet.
But it seems there are some trends these past years, where the whales are spending less time in the Salish Sea in all seasons. No one knows why, though our guess is that it is likely due to lack of food (salmon), which often seems to be the driving force behind their travels.
What better case can be made for salmon restoration and recovery efforts?!
We recently received this email from Scott Veirs of Beam Reach:
Hi Susan and Howie, The Beam Reachers are out at Port Angeles today (4/28), listening for some incoming residents. I've been mulling over my observations from last year about springtime return patterns, and looking a bit deeper into your archives.
It seems like we have now set a record for continuous days with no J pod sightings/hearings in April. We're at about 35- 38 as far as I can discern! Am I right in thinking that in a couple days we'll have seen zero residents in April for the first time ever?
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School
Orca Network has also noticed the absence of J pod reports lately. This time of year whale reports are often few and far between, but J pod has historically been the pod that stayed around and was sighted at least once in Salish Sea waters every month of the year.
J pod has not been reported since March 20th -that means April 2009 is the first April with no reported sightings of J pod in the Salish Sea, & we are now up to 44 consecutive days with no sign of them, according to Orca Network sightings archives.
In looking back at the Annual Arrival and Departure tables compiled by Rich Osborne on the Whale Museum website, you can see the change taking place over the past few years. Since 1978 when the data was collected for all of J, K & L pod, J pod had been seen every single month of the year, every year, until 2005, when they weren't seen or reported in February. In 2006 & 2007, they weren't seen/reported in January. But every single April (& March) for the past 31 years they have shown up - so this does seem to be a disturbing trend.
Orca Network's Sightings Archive Summaries list all the sighting reports we have received, and can be searched with Google Search to look for other trends. It seems all 3 pods spent less time off the San Juans this past summer, and headed out to the ocean (or up to BC? or??) more than they have in past years, though we haven't had time to look at the exact count & compare data for this yet.
But it seems there are some trends these past years, where the whales are spending less time in the Salish Sea in all seasons. No one knows why, though our guess is that it is likely due to lack of food (salmon), which often seems to be the driving force behind their travels.
What better case can be made for salmon restoration and recovery efforts?!
vrijdag 20 maart 2009
March 20
Mark Malleson of Victoria called to report J pod spread out off Victoria, heading west at 11:50 am.
March 20
We received a call from Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales, reporting orca calls on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone at 10:50 am.
March 20
1044 am - Hearing calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone amongst other loud noise.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
March 20
Hearing calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone at 10:43 am. Interesting the sound difference in the 2 links, one called Orcasound and one called Lime Kiln - Very strong boat noise on Orcasound, but LimeKiln can hear the calls. Which is north and south? It's cool to be able to figure out which direction the boats (and whales!) are going. Calls louder now!
Annika, Seattle
The OrcaSound hydrophone is north of the Lime Kiln hydrophone - so you can tell which way the whales are going by the order of which hydrophone you hear them on first. sb
March 20
I did venture out at 2.15 pm and you would not have believed the sudden change in the weather in five minutes. The wind changed directions and we were hit by a squall with 6-7 ft seas. I have never experienced the rage of the sea like that in the two years I have been heading out in a Zodiac. It was truly wild, but we did see J pod and one of the new calves for five minutes, then it was head back to the safety of the Victoria Harbour. I'll never forget this trip. The Orca were motoring real fast as they headed out west before that nasty squall hit us with 5-7 ft waves.
Marie O'Shaugnnessy, Victoria, B.C.
Mark Malleson of Victoria called to report J pod spread out off Victoria, heading west at 11:50 am.
March 20
We received a call from Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales, reporting orca calls on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone at 10:50 am.
March 20
1044 am - Hearing calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone amongst other loud noise.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
March 20
Hearing calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone at 10:43 am. Interesting the sound difference in the 2 links, one called Orcasound and one called Lime Kiln - Very strong boat noise on Orcasound, but LimeKiln can hear the calls. Which is north and south? It's cool to be able to figure out which direction the boats (and whales!) are going. Calls louder now!
Annika, Seattle
The OrcaSound hydrophone is north of the Lime Kiln hydrophone - so you can tell which way the whales are going by the order of which hydrophone you hear them on first. sb
March 20
I did venture out at 2.15 pm and you would not have believed the sudden change in the weather in five minutes. The wind changed directions and we were hit by a squall with 6-7 ft seas. I have never experienced the rage of the sea like that in the two years I have been heading out in a Zodiac. It was truly wild, but we did see J pod and one of the new calves for five minutes, then it was head back to the safety of the Victoria Harbour. I'll never forget this trip. The Orca were motoring real fast as they headed out west before that nasty squall hit us with 5-7 ft waves.
Marie O'Shaugnnessy, Victoria, B.C.
donderdag 19 maart 2009
March 19
Orca Network received a call from the Ferry Kitsap at 10:50 am, reporting a pod of orcas 1 mile off Alki Pt, between Alki & Restoration Pts, near the Tango Buoy, heading south.
March 19
We are watching what looks like 4 Orcas in a line between Rolling Bay, Bainbridge Island and Carkeek Park, Seattle. They are close to the south bound shipping lane heading south. Looks like one male, two females and not sure about the 4th one. Saw the first one at 8am.
UPDATE 8:30am: The four came in by Skiff Point, Bainbridge Island still heading south. A mother and a juvenile are also out in the south bound shipping lane off of West Point. The juvenile is particularly frisky - jumping clear out of the water. Pictures are attached (see above).
Doug Miller
March 19
11:58 pm. Just started hearing lots of J pod calls on the Port Townsend hydrophone. Seems like they may be getting closer... Will post recording to OrcaSound once they pass.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach, Seattle
March 19
I finally saw some fins at 7:30 pm, just as it was starting to get dark. They were just coming into view from the south of Bush Pt, Whidbey Island. All I saw was a very tight group of fins-no backs, just fins sticking out of the water, very close together. Probably four or five. They were moving slowly and were pretty close to our side. I never saw more than that, altho I kept looking till dark. Weird, eh?
Elsa Leavitt, Whidbey Island
March 19
I saw the orcas heading north past Hansville at around 5:20 pm. I have attached some photos (see above), not the best as they were mid- channel and moving at quite a clip. I cropped the images but if you zoom in the big male fin has some pretty distinctive markings (definitely J1/Ruffles!) . Looked like 3 whales traveling together. Thanks,
Patty Michak, MarineView Fisheries Consulting, Hansville
March 19
Brad Hanson of NOAA Fisheries said they caught up to J pod at 2:30 pm, off Kingston, just west of mid-channel. They were slowly heading north. They followed them to just south of Pt. No Point at 4:30 pm but had to head back in due to high winds. They reported all J pod members present, and that they were successful in collecting 1 fecal sample.
March 19
Lori Robinson called at 1:25 pm to report orcas south of Port Madison, heading north.
March 19
Two pods heading southward off Rolling Bay/Skiff Point on Bainbridge Island, 8:15am. At least two males close in shore, feeding.
Nancy Houghton
March 19
Amy Carey called to relay a report from Argossy Tours of Seattle - they were anchored off Alki Pt. with a group of students and saw the orcas (J pod) head by going north across Elliott Bay at 11:15 am.
Orca Network received a call from the Ferry Kitsap at 10:50 am, reporting a pod of orcas 1 mile off Alki Pt, between Alki & Restoration Pts, near the Tango Buoy, heading south.
March 19
We are watching what looks like 4 Orcas in a line between Rolling Bay, Bainbridge Island and Carkeek Park, Seattle. They are close to the south bound shipping lane heading south. Looks like one male, two females and not sure about the 4th one. Saw the first one at 8am.
UPDATE 8:30am: The four came in by Skiff Point, Bainbridge Island still heading south. A mother and a juvenile are also out in the south bound shipping lane off of West Point. The juvenile is particularly frisky - jumping clear out of the water. Pictures are attached (see above).
Doug Miller
March 19
11:58 pm. Just started hearing lots of J pod calls on the Port Townsend hydrophone. Seems like they may be getting closer... Will post recording to OrcaSound once they pass.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach, Seattle
March 19
I finally saw some fins at 7:30 pm, just as it was starting to get dark. They were just coming into view from the south of Bush Pt, Whidbey Island. All I saw was a very tight group of fins-no backs, just fins sticking out of the water, very close together. Probably four or five. They were moving slowly and were pretty close to our side. I never saw more than that, altho I kept looking till dark. Weird, eh?
Elsa Leavitt, Whidbey Island
March 19
I saw the orcas heading north past Hansville at around 5:20 pm. I have attached some photos (see above), not the best as they were mid- channel and moving at quite a clip. I cropped the images but if you zoom in the big male fin has some pretty distinctive markings (definitely J1/Ruffles!) . Looked like 3 whales traveling together. Thanks,
Patty Michak, MarineView Fisheries Consulting, Hansville
March 19
Brad Hanson of NOAA Fisheries said they caught up to J pod at 2:30 pm, off Kingston, just west of mid-channel. They were slowly heading north. They followed them to just south of Pt. No Point at 4:30 pm but had to head back in due to high winds. They reported all J pod members present, and that they were successful in collecting 1 fecal sample.
March 19
Lori Robinson called at 1:25 pm to report orcas south of Port Madison, heading north.
March 19
Two pods heading southward off Rolling Bay/Skiff Point on Bainbridge Island, 8:15am. At least two males close in shore, feeding.
Nancy Houghton
March 19
Amy Carey called to relay a report from Argossy Tours of Seattle - they were anchored off Alki Pt. with a group of students and saw the orcas (J pod) head by going north across Elliott Bay at 11:15 am.
woensdag 18 maart 2009
Correction date of birth J45
Correction to earlier post about calves J43 & J45:
J-45 being seen first on Feb. 28th and NOT Feb 6th actually extends the possible gestation period by almost a month when looking at Deb's calculations...but still puts it into the short category as we humans look at it.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
J-45 being seen first on Feb. 28th and NOT Feb 6th actually extends the possible gestation period by almost a month when looking at Deb's calculations...but still puts it into the short category as we humans look at it.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
zondag 15 maart 2009
March 15
We just had 8 to 10 orcas pass our house (7pm Sunday night) one single male two calves and some females maybe J pod to far to ID . They were having a great time frolicking in the waves . Heading south on the north side of Hornby Island BC. We have just had our annual herring spawn, possible food source for them? Have had reports of Orca sightings for the past three weeks around Hornby!Cheers
Alan Fletcher, Hornby Island BC
And an interesting question about J14's last two calves, J43 who didn't survive, and her new calf J45:
hi you all, Have you noticed just how close J43 and J45, both babies of J14 are in birth sequence? J43 was first noticed 11/06/07, looking to be about one day old, right? Last seen 11/24/07.
J45 was first seen on February 06, '09; actual birthdate, ??? Doing a little math ... from 11/06/07 to 02/06 /09 ; that is 16 months. Considering, a 16 -17 month gestation, it looks to me that J14 became pregnant immediately after birthing (and losing) J43. This sure seems different than the usual spacing of calves, even when a calf dies soon after birth. Amazing. I hold them in my heart and prayers.... Wellbeing and a big belly full of chinook salmon! Thanks
Deb Martyn , naturalist, Orcas Is.
We just had 8 to 10 orcas pass our house (7pm Sunday night) one single male two calves and some females maybe J pod to far to ID . They were having a great time frolicking in the waves . Heading south on the north side of Hornby Island BC. We have just had our annual herring spawn, possible food source for them? Have had reports of Orca sightings for the past three weeks around Hornby!Cheers
Alan Fletcher, Hornby Island BC
And an interesting question about J14's last two calves, J43 who didn't survive, and her new calf J45:
hi you all, Have you noticed just how close J43 and J45, both babies of J14 are in birth sequence? J43 was first noticed 11/06/07, looking to be about one day old, right? Last seen 11/24/07.
J45 was first seen on February 06, '09; actual birthdate, ??? Doing a little math ... from 11/06/07 to 02/06 /09 ; that is 16 months. Considering, a 16 -17 month gestation, it looks to me that J14 became pregnant immediately after birthing (and losing) J43. This sure seems different than the usual spacing of calves, even when a calf dies soon after birth. Amazing. I hold them in my heart and prayers.... Wellbeing and a big belly full of chinook salmon! Thanks
Deb Martyn , naturalist, Orcas Is.
dinsdag 10 maart 2009
Jpod alling at hydrophones, heading north
March 10
West side San Juan Island, J pod heading north near shore (not clear where they are N/S). Listen to Lime Kiln and Orca Sound - No calls or ship noise at the moment (16:31).
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
March 10
I'd been listening to OrcaSound all day, nothing - just got Jeanne's message & switched to Lime Kiln & there are all kinds of orca calls at 4:40 pm!
UPDATE - calls now (5:10 pm) on the OrcaSound hydrophone - they're definitely heading north.
Susan Berta, Orca Network, Whidbey Island
March 10
Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit encountered J pod spread out in subgroups off False Bay, San Juan Island during the mid-day, and traveled north to the vicinity of D'Arcy Island, British Columbia by sunset. Both new babies, J44 and J45, were with their respective mothers and looking healthy. J1 posed nicely in front of Mt Baker - two Icons of the Pacific Northwest.
Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
March 10
2023 - still hearing faint calls on OrcaSound HydroPhones.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
March 10
2021 - Still Hearing Calls on Orcasound HydroPhones amoungst ship noise.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
March 10
Wonderfully loud vocals this early evening-- even amongst the ship noise! Have some recorded---will email tonight!
Christine Swedell, Minnesota
March 10
1721 - Still hearing great echoing J pod calls at OrcaSound, generally growing fainter in very quiet background. Will post recordings to OrcaSound later tonight.
March 10
Not only did I get to hear them (J pod), I also taped them. I have the sound file on my website if you want to give a listen. I wanted to be able to share them with everyone.
Carole May, Bellingham
March 10
A detail of my encounter with J Pod yesterday (3/10) along with photos of the moms and calves and some others are on my blog
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
March 10
Just watched J pod head north by the Lighthouse (west San Juan Isl) -way offshore. Looks like we're going to have some impressive young boys this year!!! BIG FINS! I believe we saw one of the new babies as well, not sure which one. Lots of tail lobs and breaches...what a great end to the day!!
Sandy Buckley, Postcards From Friday Harbor
March 10
I missed J's coming down (west San Juan Isl) earlier today and hanging around Eagle Cove, and then missed them again coming back up island (but my wife swears she saw an orca heading north near Lime Kiln around 4:30, which coincides with the hydrophone reports). Drats. I was home all day and somehow just missed seeing/hearing them and didn't hear any pages on my phone. DOH!
John Boyd (JB) Marine Naturalist still waiting to see Residents!
West side San Juan Island, J pod heading north near shore (not clear where they are N/S). Listen to Lime Kiln and Orca Sound - No calls or ship noise at the moment (16:31).
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
March 10
I'd been listening to OrcaSound all day, nothing - just got Jeanne's message & switched to Lime Kiln & there are all kinds of orca calls at 4:40 pm!
UPDATE - calls now (5:10 pm) on the OrcaSound hydrophone - they're definitely heading north.
Susan Berta, Orca Network, Whidbey Island
March 10
Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit encountered J pod spread out in subgroups off False Bay, San Juan Island during the mid-day, and traveled north to the vicinity of D'Arcy Island, British Columbia by sunset. Both new babies, J44 and J45, were with their respective mothers and looking healthy. J1 posed nicely in front of Mt Baker - two Icons of the Pacific Northwest.
Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
March 10
2023 - still hearing faint calls on OrcaSound HydroPhones.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
March 10
2021 - Still Hearing Calls on Orcasound HydroPhones amoungst ship noise.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
March 10
Wonderfully loud vocals this early evening-- even amongst the ship noise! Have some recorded---will email tonight!
Christine Swedell, Minnesota
March 10
1721 - Still hearing great echoing J pod calls at OrcaSound, generally growing fainter in very quiet background. Will post recordings to OrcaSound later tonight.
March 10
Not only did I get to hear them (J pod), I also taped them. I have the sound file on my website if you want to give a listen. I wanted to be able to share them with everyone.
Carole May, Bellingham
March 10
A detail of my encounter with J Pod yesterday (3/10) along with photos of the moms and calves and some others are on my blog
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
March 10
Just watched J pod head north by the Lighthouse (west San Juan Isl) -way offshore. Looks like we're going to have some impressive young boys this year!!! BIG FINS! I believe we saw one of the new babies as well, not sure which one. Lots of tail lobs and breaches...what a great end to the day!!
Sandy Buckley, Postcards From Friday Harbor
March 10
I missed J's coming down (west San Juan Isl) earlier today and hanging around Eagle Cove, and then missed them again coming back up island (but my wife swears she saw an orca heading north near Lime Kiln around 4:30, which coincides with the hydrophone reports). Drats. I was home all day and somehow just missed seeing/hearing them and didn't hear any pages on my phone. DOH!
John Boyd (JB) Marine Naturalist still waiting to see Residents!
dinsdag 3 maart 2009
J14 had a new calf: J45
Ken Balcomb, Dave Ellifrit and John Durban encountered J pod just before sunset in Haro Strait traveling Northwest. We confirmed that the new baby J44 was still doing well with its presumed mother, J17; and, we documented another new calf J45 with its presumed mother J14 (foreground in the above photo). This is quite exciting to have two new calves in J pod within a month. Thanks to Jeanne Hyde for first noticing the newest calf on 28 February, and letting us know J pod was back in the area on 3 March.
dinsdag 24 februari 2009
February 24, 2009
We headed north and finally after much searching, we encountered orca, J pod at Turn Point. We saw J1, J8, J33, J26 and others (see photo of Mom & calf J16 & J42). They were really spread out, and seemed to be heading south toward San Jaun Island at 1.30 pm. It was my lucky day.
Marie O'Shaughnessy ( Orca-Magic) POW
*
I got a call from Jeanne today about 1515 with a report of J pod at the north end of Andrew's Bay. Jeanne and I watched them (from shore) pass the Lighthouse around 1630ish. We last saw them grouping up and pointed out toward Discovery Is. maybe a couple miles south of the light- great lighting for seeing blows. We got visual i.d.'s (and Jeanne was taking some pics) on J1, J2, J8, J14, J16,J17,J19,J22,J26, J27, J28, J30, J32,J33,J34, J37,J38, J39, J40, J41,J42, and J44.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
*
We received an email that Jeanne Hyde was hearing orca calls from the OrcaSound hydrophone at 2:53 pm, and a call from Jeff Hogan who was also listening in. We went to OrcaSound.net and were very happy to hear many calls for quite some time - almost as good as seeing them!
Susan & Howard, Orca Network, Whidbey Island
*
At about 2:45 I heard some very strange calls on the Orca Sound hydrophones. after listening for several minutes I finally heard what sounded like a J Pod call. J Pod was coming south in Haro Strait against a strong flood tide. They were spread out in small groups. I observed them near Andrews Bay and then went to Lime Kiln to watch. Their calls and clicks didn't seem to decrease the farther down island they got. Ruffles J1 and a female whale (guessing it was Granny J2 ) and also Spieden J8 were the farthest offshore as they neared Lime Kiln. New calf J44 was seen with a large group consisting of at least the J14s, J22s, Princess Angeline J17 and maybe more. Shortly after passing the light they began to move out toward Ruffles and company. They then grouped up into a line and headed straight for Discovery Island. That was at about 5:15 p.m. I have posted a couple pictures on my blog, including a pic of J44.
Jeanne Hyde, Friday Harbor
We headed north and finally after much searching, we encountered orca, J pod at Turn Point. We saw J1, J8, J33, J26 and others (see photo of Mom & calf J16 & J42). They were really spread out, and seemed to be heading south toward San Jaun Island at 1.30 pm. It was my lucky day.
Marie O'Shaughnessy ( Orca-Magic) POW
*
I got a call from Jeanne today about 1515 with a report of J pod at the north end of Andrew's Bay. Jeanne and I watched them (from shore) pass the Lighthouse around 1630ish. We last saw them grouping up and pointed out toward Discovery Is. maybe a couple miles south of the light- great lighting for seeing blows. We got visual i.d.'s (and Jeanne was taking some pics) on J1, J2, J8, J14, J16,J17,J19,J22,J26, J27, J28, J30, J32,J33,J34, J37,J38, J39, J40, J41,J42, and J44.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
*
We received an email that Jeanne Hyde was hearing orca calls from the OrcaSound hydrophone at 2:53 pm, and a call from Jeff Hogan who was also listening in. We went to OrcaSound.net and were very happy to hear many calls for quite some time - almost as good as seeing them!
Susan & Howard, Orca Network, Whidbey Island
*
At about 2:45 I heard some very strange calls on the Orca Sound hydrophones. after listening for several minutes I finally heard what sounded like a J Pod call. J Pod was coming south in Haro Strait against a strong flood tide. They were spread out in small groups. I observed them near Andrews Bay and then went to Lime Kiln to watch. Their calls and clicks didn't seem to decrease the farther down island they got. Ruffles J1 and a female whale (guessing it was Granny J2 ) and also Spieden J8 were the farthest offshore as they neared Lime Kiln. New calf J44 was seen with a large group consisting of at least the J14s, J22s, Princess Angeline J17 and maybe more. Shortly after passing the light they began to move out toward Ruffles and company. They then grouped up into a line and headed straight for Discovery Island. That was at about 5:15 p.m. I have posted a couple pictures on my blog, including a pic of J44.
Jeanne Hyde, Friday Harbor
donderdag 19 februari 2009
We found out that Orcas were headed North today on the West Side San Juan Island at 7:30 this morning. My passengers got there early, but it was still 11:45 before we got off the dock. I headed up Swanson Ch. because in the past I've seen them up there in Feb. Just North of Moat Pt. I saw a big splash in the distance, but kept quiet till I saw the blows for sure. We also went by Speiden Island, and Sentinel Reef. The new calf was there. So was J1, J2, J26, J27, and many more.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters, San Juan Island
*
Faint calls being heard off Lime Kiln Hydrophones now (2020)
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
*
Orca Network received calls from Jeff Hogan & John Boyd that J pod had been heard on both OrcaSound hydrophones early morning off west San Juan Island, heading north.
*
I woke up at 7am today to hear a few soft calls at lime kiln - the calls got much louder, so i went outside to look and didn't see anything. I went back to listen to Orcasound.. and then i heard them on that hydrophone (further north)... finally i looked out in the middle of the strait and there they were! at 8:05am they were aprox 2-3 miles south east of Kelp Reef Headed north pretty quickly. It was a pretty good group with at least 2 large males, if i had to guess i would say J's.. but too far to know for sure... I called Dave Ellifrit from the center and hope they got a chance to go see who's here! take care!
Traci Walter
*
Offshore by 2+ miles, J Pods calls heard at 7:45 am. traveling fast in a group, 2 very large male fins - possibly Ruffles J-2 and Riptide J-30 only because their fins are the broadest at the top.
Jeanne Hyde, The Whale Museum, San Juan Island
*
Hearing lots of J-pod (and more?) calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone at 8 am.
Val Veirs, Orca Sound/CC/The Whale Museum, San Juan Island
*
This morning while on Facebook, I was alerted that one of my friends was listening to whales on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone. Sure enough, I tuned in and after a brief moment was able to hear vocalizations loud and clear. Ran upstairs to the scope and began scanning the Haro Straits. After approximately 15 minutes, we were able to spot two large fins three or four miles offshore, headed north at an amazingly fast clip at 8:21 AM. It certainly looks like the boys have been growing this winter!
Sandy Buckley, San Juan Island
*
Hearing calls on Orcasound HPS amoungst Ship noise, 8:34 am.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
*
Orca Network heard J pod was near Swanson Channel by mid-day, continuing north.
*
11:59 am: Turned on the hydrophone during our "sound underwater" class for 3rd graders and heard orca calls. Visually confirmed with at least two individuals in Admiralty inlet. Update at 12:20: ship just passed; still seeing them near Marrowstone Island; they seemed to be traveling south, but may be milling/socializing, including breaches.
Chrissy McClean, Port Townsend Marine Science Center
*
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters, San Juan Island
*
Faint calls being heard off Lime Kiln Hydrophones now (2020)
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
*
Orca Network received calls from Jeff Hogan & John Boyd that J pod had been heard on both OrcaSound hydrophones early morning off west San Juan Island, heading north.
*
I woke up at 7am today to hear a few soft calls at lime kiln - the calls got much louder, so i went outside to look and didn't see anything. I went back to listen to Orcasound.. and then i heard them on that hydrophone (further north)... finally i looked out in the middle of the strait and there they were! at 8:05am they were aprox 2-3 miles south east of Kelp Reef Headed north pretty quickly. It was a pretty good group with at least 2 large males, if i had to guess i would say J's.. but too far to know for sure... I called Dave Ellifrit from the center and hope they got a chance to go see who's here! take care!
Traci Walter
*
Offshore by 2+ miles, J Pods calls heard at 7:45 am. traveling fast in a group, 2 very large male fins - possibly Ruffles J-2 and Riptide J-30 only because their fins are the broadest at the top.
Jeanne Hyde, The Whale Museum, San Juan Island
*
Hearing lots of J-pod (and more?) calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone at 8 am.
Val Veirs, Orca Sound/CC/The Whale Museum, San Juan Island
*
This morning while on Facebook, I was alerted that one of my friends was listening to whales on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone. Sure enough, I tuned in and after a brief moment was able to hear vocalizations loud and clear. Ran upstairs to the scope and began scanning the Haro Straits. After approximately 15 minutes, we were able to spot two large fins three or four miles offshore, headed north at an amazingly fast clip at 8:21 AM. It certainly looks like the boys have been growing this winter!
Sandy Buckley, San Juan Island
*
Hearing calls on Orcasound HPS amoungst Ship noise, 8:34 am.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
*
Orca Network heard J pod was near Swanson Channel by mid-day, continuing north.
*
11:59 am: Turned on the hydrophone during our "sound underwater" class for 3rd graders and heard orca calls. Visually confirmed with at least two individuals in Admiralty inlet. Update at 12:20: ship just passed; still seeing them near Marrowstone Island; they seemed to be traveling south, but may be milling/socializing, including breaches.
Chrissy McClean, Port Townsend Marine Science Center
*
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.
*
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.
*
New calf born J44
Feb. 6
The calf is "J44," but its mother is not yet known.
Photo by Kenneth Balcomb,
Center for Whale Research,
San Juan Island
"Because orca families stay close to newborns and share in their care, it is hard to determine at first who is the mother, the sister or the grandmother," Balcomb said in the Kitsap Sun.
The calf is "J44," but its mother is not yet known.
Photo by Kenneth Balcomb,
Center for Whale Research,
San Juan Island
"Because orca families stay close to newborns and share in their care, it is hard to determine at first who is the mother, the sister or the grandmother," Balcomb said in the Kitsap Sun.
vrijdag 23 januari 2009
Js probably naar Victoria
I have just got in from Clover Point Victoria and watched many ORCA travelling in from the west and heading your way. I counted 24 at least although they were far out and travelling fast east.
This may be J pod ...too far out to ID. Big male in the lead three animals. At first I thought Transients because it was at least 7-10 more minutes before I could see others surfacing. Too far out even for my long lens.
Guess I must turn on the hydrophones now...
I feel so blessed to have looked up at the right moment.
I did see the whales spy hopping, cartwheeling and tail slapping. Definitely the residents.
Marie O'Shaughnessy
Susan, I was out yesterday fishing and happened to have my camera with me. Hopefully you will be able to identify this pod (see photo here & below). What a spectacular sighting and a spectacular day.
Terry.Singh, SV Liberate. Victoria.
J31
ID's from Terry's photos, from the Center for Whale Research:
Looks like J31 in the first pic (included here) and maybe J38 in the last one.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
On Friday January 23rd, about 4:00pm we had multiple small groups of orcas passing by Trial Island: 5 or 6 groups of 3-6 orcas each.It took more than half an hour for them all to pass by. They came round the south tip of Trial Island Lighthouse, moving eastward in the Juan de Fuca Strait then turning north towards Bayne's Channel. I have some photos if that would be helpful (see above photo). Thanks!
Sheila Brooke, Trial Island Light
This may be J pod ...too far out to ID. Big male in the lead three animals. At first I thought Transients because it was at least 7-10 more minutes before I could see others surfacing. Too far out even for my long lens.
Guess I must turn on the hydrophones now...
I feel so blessed to have looked up at the right moment.
I did see the whales spy hopping, cartwheeling and tail slapping. Definitely the residents.
Marie O'Shaughnessy
Susan, I was out yesterday fishing and happened to have my camera with me. Hopefully you will be able to identify this pod (see photo here & below). What a spectacular sighting and a spectacular day.
Terry.Singh, SV Liberate. Victoria.
J31
ID's from Terry's photos, from the Center for Whale Research:
Looks like J31 in the first pic (included here) and maybe J38 in the last one.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island
On Friday January 23rd, about 4:00pm we had multiple small groups of orcas passing by Trial Island: 5 or 6 groups of 3-6 orcas each.It took more than half an hour for them all to pass by. They came round the south tip of Trial Island Lighthouse, moving eastward in the Juan de Fuca Strait then turning north towards Bayne's Channel. I have some photos if that would be helpful (see above photo). Thanks!
Sheila Brooke, Trial Island Light
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