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



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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
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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
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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 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
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Faint calls being heard off Lime Kiln Hydrophones now (2020)
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Hearing calls on Orcasound HPS amoungst Ship noise, 8:34 am.
Cathy Bacon, Texas
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Orca Network heard J pod was near Swanson Channel by mid-day, continuing north.
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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
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Superpod off Victoria

Orca Network received an update on the superpod off Victoria from Mark Malleson with Prince of Whales. J pod was reported inbound off Race Rocks at 11 am. Mark took a look from land and realized it was all three pods, then headed out to try to find out who all was there. He was with them from 1400 - 1600, and confirmed IDs for L41 & the L11s, with many more whales present, ID's to come soon. The whales were milling and foraging, and came within a mile of the Ogden Pt. breakwater, Victoria. At 1416 the majority of the whales seemed to be heading SW.

Orca Nework received a call from Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research, with the great news that J, K & L pods were off the Victoria waterfront at 2:30 pm! Ken headed out to do a survey of the pods, and hopefully we'll have more details on ID's soon.
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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.