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