J and K Pod Orca Whales
7/29/2010: We took a route through the inner islands to begin today's trip again today. Our widlife viewing started at Blakely Island where we spotted two bald eagles and a turkey vulture on the shoreline. The way they were gathered made it look like they were feeding on something but we couldn't see what it was. Not far away we spotted several harbor seals hauled out along the rocks. There were a few seal pups in this group. We found the orcas today just as we crossed the Canadian border near South Pender Island. The first three orcas we watched were K13, Skagit, K25, Scoter, and K34, Cali. Next we watched J27, Blackberry, and his younger brother J39, Mako swim our way. It was obvious that they were chasing salmon at the surface. Blackberry came right over to give us some great viewing. Next K20, Spock, and her son K38, Comet swam by quickly trying to catch up with the others. Soon after that a group of three orcas came right toward us swimming at high speeds and porpoising at every breath! We let them pass and then we cruised over toward Turn Point to watch as a mixed group of J's and K's swam near the shore. They breached several times as they approached the point! K21, Cappuccino, and J34, Doublestuf were in this, very active, group. They gave us all a great show so it was very hard to say goodbye. On the way back to the dock we spotted more harbor seals, eagles, and an osprey. It was an awesome day! Naturalist Bart Rulon
