Kelly | M/V Sea Lion | October 11th, 2024 | 12:30pm
Nothing was reported in our range as we left Friday Harbor on this lovely fall afternoon. After exiting the harbor and entering San Juan Channel, captain Eric and I had fully prepared to go into search mode. Luckily, a report came in! A group of whales found in Lopez Sound, a very easy transit for us. We turned left into Upright Channel and rounded the northern tip of Lopez Island. This particular spot offers an amazing view of Mt. Baker. In the fall we are treated to an extra clear look at this active volcano, unobstructed by the summers heat distortion.
About half way into the sound, we slowed the vessel. Quickly exhales came into view followed by many black dorsal fins. All together this group was made up of 9 whales, including:
T123s
- T123 "Sidney" 1985 F
- T123A "Stanley" 2000 M
- T123C "Lucky" 2012 F
- T123D "Darcy" 2018 F
T35a's
- T35A "Lester" 1998 F
- T35A1 "Opal" 2010 F
- T35A2 "Topaz" 2013 ?
- T35A3 "Garnet" 2018 ?
- T35A4 ----- 2022 ?
We watched this group travel together at they exited Lopez Sound and entered into the open Rosario Strait. After one particularly long dive, the whales surfaced in two separate groups. One group included the majority, 7 whales. The other group was parallel to the main group and made up of T123B (Stanley) and T35A2 (Topaz). These two surfaced side by side and on occasion Stanley would surface belly up, large pectoral fins in the air. On one of these belly up surfacings we caught a glimpse of something we call a "sea snake" or male orca genitalia. It really did appear that these two were off to the side on their own little intimate date together. I think we may have a baby topaz in our future!