L pod in Rosario!

September has been a remarkable month for weather! A fine summer-like day this afternoon. We motored to the south, with Captain Pete sharing his enthusiasm for the currents in Cattle Pass, and then had great looks at the Harbor Seals and Stellar Sea Lions around Whale Rocks. After viewing the Bald Eagle nest, (no eagles around...they're probably all feasting on the salmon that have since spawned and are now dying in the Skagit River), we came around the south end of Lopez Island into Rosario Strait. Met up with members of L pod....the L2s, L21s, L86, and L55s. The Orcas were fairly spread out moving north...as they got into some currents at a reef there was a lot of change in direction, maybe some foraging. Breaching, spyhops, tailslaps, and belly rolls....the Orcas were playful today! The L2s, with 19 year old male, Gaia (L78) split off from the others continuing north. Meanwhile the L21s (and others) formed a tight knit traveling group and turned around, heading southwest. With the Olympic Mountains in clear view and the sun's reflection, we watched as the silhouetted Orcas surfaced side by side towards the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Just breathtaking.

-Jaclyn Van Bourgondien, naturalist