Well today we left our Friday Harbor slip with word of J pod of our southern resident community traveling east near Victoria.
This is exciting news being that J pod hasn't been seen in our area since March 10th.
Resident eco-type Orcas need to consume large quantities of Chinook salmon, up to 300 pounds or more for an adult Orca. Spending the spring time out along the coastal areas feeding on salmon, we've been eagerly awaiting their return and today was the day.
We caught up to J pod as they were passing by the Trial Island lighthouse just south of Victoria, B.C. It didn't take long to start recognizing some of our returning friends. The pod was split into two groups and the group that we were watching consisted of 'The cookie clan' J22 oreo and her offspring, J34 doublestuff and J38 cookie, as well as her niece J32 Rhapsody. There was lots of tail slaps and multiple spy hops. Not to far behind was the big male J27 Blackberry and his sister J31 Tsuchi and younger brother J39 Mako.
We received word that J2 Granny was seen in the other group which is great news being that The Center For Whale Research estimates she was born around 1911. Amazing!
Since we've returned to the dock, J pod has since crossed Haro Strait and are now along side the westside of San Juan Island. Their vocalizations can be heard on the Orca Sound Hydrophone. www.orcasound.net/lk/ Pretty amazing!!
Kevin, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris