September 23, 2017 – We ventured south out of Cattle Pass to meet Southern Resident killer whales from J and L pods. The orcas came down Rosario Strait and around Lopez Island to forage on the west side of San Juan Island. It was whale soup – whales everywhere you looked. Glassy seas and a mackerel sky. Drift sailing in paradise listening to whales breathing in all directions in the distance. We witnessed several orcas chasing fish, and we hope they caught some big ones.
Sadly, our hearts are crushed to share some devastating news. As of Sept 19th, J52 was declared deceased by the Center for Whale Research. He was last seen on Sept 15th looking emaciated and revealing severe “peanut head”. As we watched his 18 yr old mother, J36, just one week after, our minds wondered what she may be feeling. These animals are highly emotional. Our hearts go out to her as she carries on following such a tragic loss. The rest of the J16’s were nearby foraging except for J50 who was busy playing with a piece of kelp. She revealed her teeth to us as she spy hopped holding it in her mouth. It is so important that we help our orcas – they need fish!
Harbor seals
L91 Muncher with calf L122 Magic, born 2015
Fried egg jellyfish
J31 Tsuchi passing close by us as we drifting under sail
Orcas foraging off Lime Kiln Pt State Park aka Whale Watch Park
Southern Resident Orca heading up Haro Strait on the west side of San Juan Island
Orca exhale
Mackerel sky
L82 Kasatka heading down island – shortly after she began chasing a fish with her son, L116 Finn
Sailing with whales in paradise
L116 Finn chasing a fish
J50 Scarlet showing us her teeth as she plays with a strand of bull kelp
J50 Scarlet playing with bull kelp
J50 Scarlet
Cattle Point Lighthouse and Mt Baker in the evening light
Cormorants in the sunset
Steller sea lions resting at sunset
The life on Whale Rocks
Sunset over San Juan Island
Coming back after a hard days work