We saw at least 5 members of J and L Pod along the southern end of San Juan Island offshore of False Bay (48°27.7265N, 123°05.3859W).  J26 “Mike” was frolicking with whales from L pod including L72 “Racer” a 26 year old female.  L72 was also traveling with her son L105 “Fluke” who was born in 2004. 

The whales were initially traveling in close proximity with each other before they began surfacing quickly and changing direction, usually a behavior associated with...

AND SO ARE THE WHALES!

The salmon must be satisfying, because we have been seeing our Southern Residents for weeks now, on both trips! Today around 3:00 PM we met up with at least 10 members of J and L pod just south of Mosquito Pass, traveling north in Haro Strait (48°35.66N, 123°12.61). They too, seemed to be enjoying the sun, surfacing multiple times and playing around in the water. They were definitely not shy, and we were able to identify, in plain sight, Spieden (J8), Slick...

Members of the Southern Resident Killer Whale population were observed along the west side of San Juan Island near Lime Kiln State Park (48°31.53N, 123°10.47W).  We first saw L87, “Onyx”, an adult male that frequently spends time with members of J-Pod.  Closer to shore we identified J26, “Mike”, another large, mature male.  We suspected J26 to be foraging as he was changing direction quickly and frequently; his nearly 6 foot tall dorsal fin slicing through the water at...

The 4th of July proved to be a WHALE of a day! 

Members of J- and L-pods were observed traveling north along the west side of San Juan Island near Lime Kiln Point State Park (48°30.3261N, 123°10.8999W).  L87 “Onyx” was exhibiting foraging behavior, surfacing quickly and changing direction frequently.  We also saw J28 “Polaris” traveling with a younger whale.  While watching the Southern Resident Killer Whales a Humpback Whale surfaced near Small Pox Bay also traveling...

Today we hung out with 7 members of J-pod in Haro Strait between Henry and Stewart Island (48°38.88N 123°12.07W). What can I say, they had us at hello—from the minute we arrived they seemed excited, yet kind, greeting us with a spy hop and adult breach. It was almost as if they were welcoming us into their home and from that point on a connection evolved.

After a few minutes of riding alongside them, they merged into a single family unit, moving as one. The love, the passion, and...

Southern Resident Killer Whales today!

Caught up with about 7 slowly foraging members of J-Pod, including Granny (J-2), Blackberry (J-27) along with Onyx (L-87) on the west side of San Juan Island at 48.27.388N 123.03.597W. We stayed with them until peeling away at the light house at Lime Kiln to complete a circumnavigation of San Juan Island.  Caught a quick sighting of 2 Dall’s Porpoises close to Kelp Reef too.

On the way out, San Juan Channel was busy with Harbor Porpoises (at...

Ten members of J-pod were seen along the eastern side of Saturna Island in Canadian waters today (48°45.2071N, 123°06.9784W).  The whales were spread out and traveling north.  J2 “Granny”, the 101 year old matriarch, was identified among the group.   Also L87 “Onyx” was seen traveling with the whales. Although, male orcas generally stay with their mothers and members of their own pod, Onyx is often observed traveling with members of J-pod.  Whales were surface active...

Upon departing Friday Harbor, Captain Craig heard reports of whales traveling south from Lime Kiln Point State Park; we caught up with the whales just west of Eagle Cove (48°27.92N, 123°04.29W) at the southern end of San Juan Island.

Eight members of J-pod were spread out and traveling east along the coastline. J26 “Mike”, a 21 year old male was traveling with his mother J16 “Slick” who was born in 1972. In general, male killer whales stay with their mothers their entire...

With reports of Resident Orcas on the west side of San Juan Island and Transient Orcas north of Stuart Island, it was a tough call on which direction to take. Fortunately, heading north to search for Transients turned out to be a great choice! At Blundand Island (Gulf Islands, BC) we caught up to about 8 or more tightly grouped whales (48°43’86N 123°10’9W), including T102, that seemed to be slowly moving along the island until something kicked a pair into action and they repeatedly...