Posts Tagged ‘L pod’
Saturday, August 20th, 2011
These days I hail from Maui, Hawaii and it’s rare for me to say it’s hot in Washington. But today, it was hot! In town. And quite comfortable on the water as well. We traveled out to be next to the Olympic Peninsula and the snow covered mountains; and it was a day of epic weather, water and visibility.
We started our trip headed south from the harbor to some harbor seals lounging on their rocky haul-out. At Cattle Pass, we found their cousins, the stellar or northern sea lions hauled out on their rocky post only these animals were a little grumpy. Several pairs and trios were growling at one another and encouraging each other off the rock and out of the way. There’s something about a ten foot 2,200 pound growling animal that you just don’t want to mess with.
Just north of False Bay on the west side of San Juan Island, we caught up with some zig-zagging orcas! L-pod was cruising around and we were able to identify L-85 “Mystery” with his shorter but wide dorsal fin and comet-shaped saddle patch of white. At one point, we were surrounded by whales on all sides and we just shut down, dropped our hydrophone into the sea and listened to them. We heard lots of orca sounds, from high-pitched squeaks and squawks to whistles and clicks. We discovered that animals from J and K-pods were headed south towards our spot and we eventually saw K-21 “Cappuccino,” a 25-year old mature male. For an endangered species like these southern resident killer whales, it’s always a hopeful feeling to see some of the “big guys,” the mature males, still around doing well, perhaps crusin’ for ladies (as the kids say these days)!
Serena, Naturalist
San Juan Safaris
Tags: friday harbor, Harbor Seals, L pod, Orcas, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller\'s Sea Lion
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
It was a beautiful trip from the beginning today! Heading out of Friday Harbor on a wonderfully clear day we were able to get some amazing views of the snow-capped Mt. Baker. The usual sunbatheing Harbor seals were all out in about swimming on both sides of the boat and we got a great view of a tiny harbor seal pup swimming along! Continuing on our way out we passed by a few stellar sea lions also in the water and one with a fish in it’s mouth! We rounded cattle point and headed up the west side of San Juan as there were reports that the elusive L-pod was in the area! And boy were they! We estimated that we saw the majority of L Pod today with sighting over 30+ members of the pod! It’s very seldom that we are able to see an entire pod together like today! They were putting on a bit of a celebration with lots of activity that started with a tail slapping youngster… then led to a mature male breaching entirely out of the water! The activity continued as we got a very good look at “Mega” (L-41) the largest male out of all 3 resident pods! As our whale viewing time started running low, we had a hard time leaving as we were completely surrounded by whales! We got a few surprise close looks as we slowly made our way out of whale territory and watched the partying continue behind us as we ventured back to Friday Harbor!
Alex Hill
Naturalist
Tags: Cattle Point, friday harbor, Harbor Seal, L pod, Orcas, san juan island
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
As we headed south through Cattle Pass a grizzly-like head broke the surface with a large fish dangling from its mouth. The snorting and huffing creature was a male Steller sea lion, the largest of all the sea lions and the third largest species within the Pinnipedia suborder. The silhouette of another gigantic bull that had claimed his throne atop Whale Rock protruded from the outcrop.
Once traveling along San Juan Island’s west coast, the black dorsal fins of orcas appeared everywhere. The pod was widely dispersed along and from the shoreline in smaller groups of two to four. There were many mature males and a calf among the many we saw, leading us to believe it was L pod. J,K and L are the three pods which compose our Southern Resident community of killer whales. L pod is the largest with over 40 orcas and whose member Nugget (L-55) also has a calf this past year.
Tags: L pod, Orcas, San Juan Safaris, Steller Sea Lion
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Sunday, August 7th, 2011
Today was definitely one of the top five whale encounters I’ve had since I started at San Juan Safaris! We left Friday Harbor heading south with reports that there were whales on the west side. On the way we first stopped to view a large group of harbor seals that were hauled out on a rocky island. Then, as we traveled a little further south, a thick layer of fog descended. It created an eerie ambiance as it encompassed our boat. This however did not prevent us for encountering more wildlife. Next we stopped near whale rocks to check out not only more harbor seals, but six or seven steller sea lions, some of which were hauled out on the rocks and barking, while the others were in the water and being very acrobatic.
We then continued into the silent unknown. As we got closer to the area where whales were reported we slowed, and it didn’t take long to see a lone dorsal fin in the distance. We shut our engines off since visibility was shortened due to the fog, and about a minute after doing so two killer whales came up about real close to our boat! Then a few more surfaced all around us and one even breached! They slowly started moving away from us, but Mike stayed close for a little while longer. The group was in no hurry though, taking the time to tail slap and turn over, slapping the water with their pectoral fins. I was able to identify J26 (Mike) as well as L72 (Racer) from this group.
As the moved further away the fog then started to clear. We were able to see San Juan Island again, and found more killer whales, lots of them! We slowed and watched a group of about four whales tail slapping, rolling around, and spy hopping. Then to the other side of the boat there were juveniles porpoising and breaching. The groups started coming together and there were now maybe twenty whales, one of which was obviously L41 (Mega). After just a few more minutes of watching the whales splashing around and moving away we headed back to Friday Harbor with our fair share of whales, their exciting behaviors, and amazing memories.
Kristen, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris
Tags: breach, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, j pod, killer whales, L pod, Orcas, san juan island, San Juan Safaris, spy hop, Steller Sea Lions
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Friday, August 5th, 2011
We went international to observe a pod rumored to be around the Golf Islands of Canada. Shortly after crossing the international boarder and entering the Swanson Channel we saw a group of around fifteen lively orcas. The surface around them was turning with activity as Mickey Mouse ear pectoral fins slapped the surface, full-body breaches created wakes and tails slammed onto the water. There were three mature males within the mix and the two that were traveling closely together appeared to be the brothers Wave Walker (L-88) and Gaia (L-78) of the L2 matriline. Being oot and aboot with L pod made the trek well worthwhile!
Kirsten, naturalists
Tags: friday harbor, L pod, Orca whale, San Juan Safaris, seattle whale watching, Southern Resident Killer Whales
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Thursday, August 4th, 2011
The killer whales were close today so we had plenty of observation time and were able to see a smorgasbord of species. We first encountered L pod and successfully identify the 34-year-old male Mega (L-41) who was traveling alongside the 22-year-old male Gaia (L-78). What was really exciting was the amount of calves that were traveling and playing together. There were at least three youngsters who were taking turns lob tailing, propoising, spy hopping and breaching next to each other. It was just amazing to watch!
After spending our fair share of time with the killer whales, minke whales were next out by Salmon Bank. There were two whales which surfaced more frequently than normal and surprised us by coming up right next to the boat, close enough to hear them breathe. We then passed Long Island and saw an eagle perched at the top of a tree next to his large nest of twigs. As we made our way back to Friday Harbor, we noticed two behemoth brown bodies basking on Whale Rocks. These male steller sea lions were met shortly by another male who leaped out of the water to join them. They were an interesting comparison to the small pinniped cousins, the harbor seals, which were hauled out on the other end of the rocks. It was a great trip full of fun, not only for our passengers, but for us as well.
Kirsten and Kristen, naturalists, San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, friday harbor, Harbor Seals, L pod, minke whale, Orcas, Salmon Bank, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Steller Sea Lions
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Monday, August 1st, 2011
Today, even the Kittiwake had an adventure! We traveled over to Orcas Island to pick up a family of ten for a private charter and from there on, we were surrounded by a continuous showing by Pacific Northwest wildlife!
First, it was a little harbor seal between Lopez and Shaw Islands. Next, it was one then two stellar sea lions (BIG ones too–they can weigh up to 2,200 pounds and be ten feet long!) swimming in the currents between Lopez and San Juan Islands. Further into the Cattle Pass, we discovered two bald eagles perched side by side above a water-front home.
Out into the waters off Salmon bank, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Haro straight meet, we found exactly what we were still holding our breaths for: L-pod of the Southern Resident Killer Whales! The pod was spread out near and off shore and from Cattle Pass up towards False Bay. It was every whale for itself, with a few being social and in pairs and trios. Some seemed to be traveling, others hunting and one frisky pair may have been mating (was he an outsider from J or K pod?). They were heading south but after thirty minutes of viewing, they all of a sudden went offshore and started traveling north. At this point we decided to test our wildlife luck and moved on away from the orcas.
The visibility was excellent (we could see Mount Rainier and Mount Baker!), the wind was a mellow breeze and the ocean was flat: a rare and perfect combination for Minke whale searching! We found “bird balls” (high densities of birds sitting on the water, potentially on a ball of bait fish like herring). One bird ball took off all at once and minutes later, we found out why: a minke whale had come in to eat their herring! We watched it for about twenty minutes and then moved on.
On the way back to Orcas Island, the wildlife continued to appear! More stellar sea lions and harbor seals swimming and sunning at Whale Rocks; and our finale of harbor porpoises between Lopez and San Juan Islands. Whew, we were exhausted after that (as evident by the six passengers–teenagers–napping on the ride back in)! A truly wonderful day on the water. Big thanks to the Lower family!
Serena, Naturalist
San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagles, Cattle Pass, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Haro Strait, L pod, Lopez Island, minke whale, orca whales, orcas island, san juan island, Southern Resident Killer Whales, Stellar sea lion, Strait of Juan de Fuca
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Friday, July 15th, 2011
We headed out of Friday Harbor with some very fun and excited passengers. Our first stop was right around the corner with some harbor seals hauled out on the rocks and we even saw a tiny little pup trying to climb on its moms back while swimming in the current. We continued on through Cattle Pass and quickly found a great group of Orcas near False Bay. As we slowly approached and started watching one group, we saw even more whales in every direction around us. The word from other vessels on the scene was that Ks and Ls were moving in to the area to hang out with the Js. It seemed like just about every member of the Southern Resident Community was spread from close to shore to the Olympic Peninsula. It was incredible!
Unfortunately we had to head back to the harbor, but on the way we encountered a Minke whale as well as the most harbor seals I’ve ever seen around the boat playing and feeding in the tide rips. Another great day on the water!
Mike – Naturalist
San Juan Safaris
Tags: friday harbor, Harbor Seal, Harbor Seals, j pod, L pod, minke whale, Orca whale, Orcas, Southern Resident Killer Whales, whale watching tour
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Saturday, July 9th, 2011
There’s a theory among whale watch captains that whales breach more when the waves are choppier. Last night’s trip was definite proof for that theory!
We left the harbor southbound, searching for our earlier super pod. As we peeked out of the safety of the islands at Cattle Pass, the wind was blowing down from the Olympic Mountains, creating a fierce chop in the water. As we traveled northwest, sea spray was blowing over the bow and the port side of the boat; everyone took shelter. But then finally, our efforts paid off and we began to see dorsal fins and whale breath about 400 yards off our starboard bow: L-pod. We came about to travel behind the southbound killer whales. The chop and wind continued but the whales seemed to love it because just then, the breaching began! And I don’t just mean one or two breaches, I mean forty to fifty over the course of thirty minutes! We had baby orcas breaching, whales breaching in call-and-response style, three whales breaching in a row, two whales breaching simultaneously, three baby whales breaching side by side, on and on. And then, the ultimate: a large mature adult male fully cleared the water in a breach! Was he showing the whale calves how it’s done? Were we witnessing a teaching seminar on the how-tos of impressive breaching? We were surely impressed as humans watching!
Alas, the best whale watches often mean we have to pay for it somewhere and on the return trip to the harbor, we got a solid dousing from mother ocean! As we returned to Cattle Pass, we saw two bald eagles perched on a rock eying the water for delicious fishes; one even swooped down at the ocean’s surface but then, at the last minute, thought better of his attempt.
Epic day on the water! Will you be joining us for the next breach-fest?!
Serena, Naturalist
San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, Cattle Pass, L pod, Orcas, san juan island
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
Traveling east between Orcas and Shaw Islands and then south along Lopez, we emerged in the Rosario straight. Despite starting in beautiful and warm Friday Harbor sunshine, we quickly became encompassed in a cool low-lying fog bank (but still at least giving us 225 yards of visibility). Looming off our starboard side was another whale watching vessel, stopped, watching, waiting. With a quick radio call to them, we learned that they were waiting for whales off of their port side; wait, that’s where we were! A moment later, we saw them: four orcas surfaced about 220 yards now off our port side, the eerie fog surrounding them.
As we watched the whales, another group surfaced behind us with three more individuals. With the fog, it was difficult to see how many whales there were and in what groupings. Two here, five there; three this way, six more that way! Then all of a sudden, they vanished on a dive. We shut down our engines and waited, each passenger scanning a different direction. When they finally surfaced, there were about twenty orcas together in a tight group, just off our stern! We could hear the poof-poof-poofs of their exhalations. At a glance, we determined that there was a mix of J and L pods, with identifications of a male,”Mega” (L-41), and a female, “Princess Angeline” (J-17).
As we were getting our last glimpses of the whales, the fog lifted and we welcomed back the sunshine. On our travels back to the harbor, we watched as a bald eagle circled overhead and then swooped down at the sea for a fresh fish stick dinner.
Serena, Naturalist
San Juan Safaris
Tags: Bald Eagle, friday harbor, j pod, L pod, Lopez Island, Orcas, san juan island
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