(downloadable eCard, click to enlarge)
Our Ocean Magic's noon trip found us at San Juan Island (Pile Point, False Bay area) where Jpod was very spread out however were heading northbound. Got a decent look at J30 / Riptide who is sprouting this year. Most of the group was widely spread however half way through our trip, individuals turned south and west into the strait. Some hunting behavior; tail slaps and hard turns indicates the possibility of predation. We left Jpod spread out and feeding continuing to move south. Also had a chance to see Straitwatch out today, who is out monitoring the boating activity around the orcas.
This evenings trip we headed to Race Rocks where 4 of the L12's (Calypso / L94, Matia L77), minus L12 herself were moving northeast towards San Juan Island. Mega L41 a large male was traveling alone while his other family were spread apart also. We checked out the lighthouse and found some harbour seals hauled out enjoying the afternoon in their lazy way. L12's were now founded headed past Trial Island and were in a speed porpoising behavior. We got word that Jpod were headed our direction and were in moving quickly. We found the large group of 25 all speed porpoising westbound south of Discovery Island. The group moved momentously in a group and at times a line with J1 Ruffles taking the back part of the group. New little calf J42 was seen in the middle of the family including members Riptide / J30 and assumed mom Slick / J16, where they able to help the new little arrival move under such high energy traveling.
It was absolutely spectacular to see the family travel in such a group today. I have not yet seen such a thing and my eyes could not believe the pure magic that was before me but I felt it throughout my body.
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