Family Ties

Below: Photo taken from our boat by guest and marine biologist, Adam U, of an orca family group on June 3, 2008.

Today was a perfect opportunity to learn about orcas and their family structure because we had the privilege of seeing two matriline groups of J Pod hanging out together. We saw the J11s and the J14s frolicking through the currents together just north of Lime Kiln Lighthouse and we parallelled them until Kellet Bluff. The rumor was that Ls were also in the area, but we only encountered J Pod animals north of the light. The J11s, which include: J11 (Blossom) and her offspring J27 (Blackberry), J31 (Tsuchi), and J39 (Mako); were the first group sighted. J31 was MIA in the beginning of the encounter and grouped up with her mom and siblings as they approached the bluff. J39 appeared in high spirits, as usual, as he breached multiple times and played games with big brother Blackberry. Blackberry was seen swimming on his back and slapping his tail and pectoral fins while Mako popped up around him. Tsuchi joined in on the play when she appeared and also gave us a nice breach. The J14s were also there, with the exception of J14's middle calf, seven year old Hy'shqa (J37). J14 (Samish) and her son J30 (Blackberry) and daughter Suttles (J40) met up with the J11s just south of Mosquito Pass and they swam together briefly before breaking off at the bluff.

Our guests were thrilled to see the orcas in their natural environment and swimming as tight family units. They showed us today just how tight those bonds actually are with J27, who's seventeen (a breeding age bull), still staying close my mom and siblings.

We also had an amazing encounter with J1, who surprised us as we came on scene. (Hard to believe seeing as how he's so huge.) As we approached he was seen in the distance with other boats. Just as we began to throttle back, he popped up on our port side. We quickly shut off the engine and allowed him safe foraging around our boat. Our guests were in awe by his size, grace, and beauty as he sliced effortlessly through the water after salmon. He looked nice and round, healthy and beautiful as ever.

We began and ended our orca encounter with J1. We left them moving north towards Stuart and hope to meet up with them again on our sunset trip tonight. The orcas are so magnificent and it's a gift each time we see them and are able to share them with the public in hopes of fostering a sense of concern and conservation.

Megan, Naturalist