Js Full Speed Ahead!!

Once again the Orcas were on the west side, northbound. Left the harbor going north, since they were covering some ground...(or should I say sea?) Anyway we caught up with the J pod just as they were crossing between Henry Island and Stuart Island. And were they on the move!! Very spread out today all across Haro Strait, with reports of the Ls to the south off of San Juan Island. Great looks of the ever popular Ruffles (J1), with an amazing look as he porpoised at the surface, full body shot! The Js slowed down every now and again...little foraging behavior, but for the most part they seemed as if they were in a rush to get north. It was incredible to see a group of about 4 Js just porpoise all at once, creating this wake behind them as they did so. Every time I see this, I'm in awe at how graceful, yet powerful they are!

It was another great day....this one quite interesting as well because of other Orca sightings in the area...the Js we were watching, L pod spread out northbound through Haro Strait and a group of Transients sighted off Victoria. Transient Orcas are the marine mammal hunting Orcas, while Residents hunt salmon. Also the Residents and Transients seem to steer clear of each other, with very little interaction documented between the two types. As we were leaving the scene, north of Turn Point, Stuart Island, the Js seemed to have chosen to go up through Swanson Channel on their way to Active Pass (which cuts through the Gulf Islands). At this point we also heard that other boats had sighted another pod of Transients on the other side of Active Pass.

With so many different Orcas moving through the area, I wonder if any Residents and Transients will cross paths....? Maybe not, but I'm anxious to hear more on all the sightings today.

-Jaclyn Van Bourgondien, naturalist