Orcas spread out on the west side of SJI

Orcas in our waters today off of San Juan Island...we had the choice of heading north or south to meet up with them. We went south in our smaller boat the Kittiwake, while our larger boat Sea Lion went around the north. Heard they had a great show as did we!

The water was a little lumpy off the south end, but we spotted a few Orcas spread out and changing direction. No positive IDs on who it was. We were offshore and heading east with the whales very spread out, so we decided to take a little detour around Long Island and look for Bald Eagles. One of our guests spotted a sub-adult at the top of a tree and then we went over to look at a nest nearby, where the adult was waiting at the tip top of a tree scouting for prey.

A fellow whale watching boat called us to tell us they found another group of Orcas just off American Camp on San Juan Island. So back we went to take another look! The seas were calming, and when we arrived on site we were lucky enough to have a great encounter with 3 Orcas. After a good look at the saddle patch of 2 adults and seeing a young calf, I am quite certain it was L-83 with her new calf L-110!! (L-110 will turn 1 year old in August!) Swimming with them was either her L-110's aunt L-91 or grandmother L-47. Such great looks at all 3! The baby L-110 was active, frequently changing direction and tail slapping, traveling a little ways from mom L-83. As we left the scene there was another female and a male seen heading east just offshore.

-Jaclyn, naturalist

Photo courtesy of one of our guests Herb. Taken last week, ~July 19th, large male Orca approaching Kittiwake, our smaller whale watching boat! What a show!!