Pacific Whale Watch Association

"One never knows what is in store for the day and today was no exception. We left the dock and headed out into Rosario Strait when Captain Carl spotted 4 Orcas traveling near Williamson Rocks. It was about 12:45 PM and no one had spotted these four moving near Anacortes!! And a what a find they were. It was the T19 subpod of Transient Orcas comprised of T19 (the mom) and her 3 offspring including her sprouter male son T19B- who was tagged a year ago this month fairly close to where we found them today! Tightly grouped they zigged and zagged but continued south towards Lawson Reef. Near the Channel Marker for the reef they stopped to play in some Bull Kelp giving us a couple of good taillobes. They continued south towards a group of birds. Then everything changed. They began to pursuit of a Harbor Porpoise. We watched mouths open in shock as they leaped out of the water, quickly changing directions and working together for their meal. At one point one of the females with a final sharp blow caused the porpoise to fly through the air before the water turned red in the aftermath. Moments later they regrouped and continued swimming westward not skipping a beat. In three years this was the first porpoise kill I have ever witnessed and it was definitely worth the wait! The wildlife didn't end with the Orcas we continued to Whale Rocks where we found numerous Steller Sea Lions both hauled out on the rocks & swimming in the strong current and even found a Minke Whale feeding on baitfish close by! What a day...a double header and a feeding frenzy that will be hard to forget!" - Naturalist Kate Janes