Being on the water six days a week pretty much guarantees that a person is going to see all things imaginable when it comes to these orcas. That, of course, in no way diminishes my excitement in seeing them each and every time. They are beautiful and sleek and amazing and unpredictable. Despite the regulations that govern boating around these animals, sometimes mistakes happen and boats get caught out with an orca too close. Eventually the odds are going to turn on you, since no one is perfect. Today we were afforded an incredible sight, courtesy of a boat that was unfortunate enough to have the laws of probability turn against them. Since all of us will slip up sooner or later, it does no good to notify the authorities. It is better to use it as a learning experience and marvel at how these animals can and will adapt.
Sharking orca. Photo courtesy of Monica Wieland
So, after spending a nice afternoon on the water watching various groups from L pod, we tracked along with the L26s for awhile. The matriarch, L26 "Baba", was off with some other orcas, but her daughter and grandson, L90 "Ballena" and L92 "Crewser", were traveling along where we could easily appreciate them. Suddenly, one of the other boats decided to leave the scene and did not realize that the two orcas had moved up along their starboard side. Motoring off at 7 knots or so the boat created a wake with nice rolling waves. After it had passed him, Crewser ducked under the wake and started to surf the waves! We could see the tip of his dorsal fin as he was sharking through the waters leaving a rooster tail and we could see him taking powerful tail strokes that torpedoed him through the water. He was actually catching up to the boat! This is not actually surprising since the orcas can swim between 30 and 35 mph, but what a spectacle to watch an orca chase down a large boat. Wow, I am in awe of the power of these animals.
So, from all of us at San Juan Safaris, to all you who like to hang fin, thank you and we will...
See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist