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.