Today was a truly magical day aboard the M/V Sea Lion.
It started out as any other beautiful San Juan Island summer day. The sun was shining as Captain Mike turned the boat south east, headed towards Haro Strait. We encountered orcas on the south side of San Juan Island at False Bay and soon identified that we were traveling with members of L-pod and, sure enough, spotted L-91 (Muncher) and her new calf L-122. Our second sighting in two days!
Members of the Southern Resident killer whales will stay with their moms for the entirety of their lives and Naturalist Sarah and I, as well as the guests aboard the boat, were lucky enough to see that incredible bond between mother and calf being made as they played and communicated with one another as both new calf and mom were breaching, tail slapping and rolling with one another. It was extremely humbling to witness such an intimate and important aspect of orca behavior as L-91 and L-122 strengthened a bond that would last a lifetime!
Naturalist Danna, M/V Sea Lion
San Juan Safaris