Lower Georgia Strait

June 25, 2008
Js and Ks and a few Ls headed up Boundry Pass this evening, against the backdrop of Mt. Baker and the Cascade Mts. They spent the day on the West Side.
Capt. Jim Maya and Mrs. Capt. Jim (Carolee), Maya’s Charters


June 24, 2008
Our first sighting of the year was around 3 pm. Two groups, about five minutes apart, totalling about 20 whales leisurely swam by our place on Galiano Island, heading east through Active Pass. A couple of them swam on their sides and backs (see above photo!). Lots of tail slapping.
Karoline Cullen
From the photos sent to us, we identified several J & K pod whales present – S&H


We had 2 sightings this evening from the ship. The first was at around 1800 with a small group of [orca] residents North Bound at Sandheads, and then 3 Transients south bound at Entrance Island off Nanaimo at around 1945.
Mike Randall, SS Greg


June 22, 2008
I just got back from whale watching on Mystic Sea tours out of Anacortes and saw ALL 3 pods up in Canadian waters near Vancouver.
Mary Brencick, Greenbank, Whidbey Island


J, K and L pods passing Lighthouse Marine Park in Point Roberts. The first group starting passing at 1115 and the second group were following about one hour later. The second group was the most active when close to shore that I have seen in many years. Multiple breaches, head views, tail fluke slaps and other social behaviours. The land based adventure lasted two hours.
Peter Hamiliton, Lifeforce, Pt. Roberts


June 20, 2008
J Pod, Pender Island, between 4:15pm and 5pm, we counted 14-18 Orcas pass Thieves Bay, Pender Island, heading north through Swanson Channel. The three leaders travelled by slowly, approximately 1 NM ahead of the rest of the group. The next two, slightly in front of the balance of this group rolled onto their sides several times. We thought they might be mating. Photo ID’s included: J1, J2, J11, J16, J28, J30, J33, J34, J35, J39, J42 and L57. Lots of tail slaps and several spyhops. The trailers were very close to shore, within 10 metres. We counted 22 private and whale watch boats observing these whales.
Richard Philpot, Pender Island


June 16, 2008
About 1:30pm to 2:30pm, encountered J-Pod by North Pender, Swanson Channel, heading northwest.
Caroline Armon, Naturalist; San Juan Excursions, San Juan Transit &Tours, OnBoard Tours


Another international crossing to catch up with our resident Orcas, the J-Pod, in the Gulf Islands, Canada. J-Pod was moving a little faster than expected, so we ended up passing Stuart Island, WA and moving towards N. Pender Island, Canada where the “trailers” (the trailing members of J-Pod) were hugging the coast moving nice and slow. We were able to have excellent views the whole time, due in part because these Orcas decided to show off a little for us. There were many tail slaps, as well as constant playing by the J-11 matriline (which includes her 3 offspring, J-27, J-31, J-39) and J-11’s sister (J-19) and calf (J-41). (We think the whole J-11 subpod was there!)
Jaclyn Van Bourgondien, naturalist, San Juan Safaris


June 15, 2008
At approximately 4pm we were hiking at Francis Point Penninsula Park (aka locally as Beaver Island) near Madeira Park on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, Canada. We were approximately 300 feet above the wavy water. It had a somewhat narrow dorsal fin, very black, approximately 2 feet in length and very slightly curved to one side at the top; to the right, I think. We could see no body nor at any time did we see spouting or any other activity. It was travelling NORTH in the Georgia Strait between the mainland of the Sechelt Penninsula and Texada Island. The sighting lasted about 20 minutes. We last saw the whale heading away from the shore, which it had been hugging, to further out into the Strait, still travelling north. What we saw was clearly an orca whale.
Janet Lemmon, Gibsons, BC


June 11, 2008
We were able to spend the afternoon with J pod today, after two days of no Southern Residents around the San Juans. We left the dock early today, as J pod had been sighted heading north on the west side of San Juan Island early in the morning. We found J pod near the north end of Point Roberts at 12:50. We watched as the whales moved very quickly to the north, with lots of porpoising behavior. There were many whales traveling close to shore, and a few out further in the strait. They all passed by the ferry terminal and around the Coal Docks, continuing north. Ruffles was moving along mostly alone, and engaging in lots of traveling and then turn around and foraging behavior. The water was flat calm, and although a grey day, it was very beautiful out there. We noted a few calls on the hydrophone.
Nan Simpson – Naturalist, Western Prince Cruises, San Juan Island


June 6, 2008
Well the weekend was off to a fast start with orcas passing Point Roberts at 1207 Heading South. J pod was in small groups and spread out over a few miles. The last ones past the park at 1250. Many of them, including J1 Ruffles was very close to shore most likely looking for food as J pod does. They were travelling for the most part but some heads can be seen as they moved along. At 1350 they were still nearby at approximately 2 miles off the Lilly Point reef marker. In the evening they were heading into Rosario Strait.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


Capt. Jim Maya called at 7:15 pm to report J pod off Matia Island heading south toward Lummi Island.


We had a fantastic day watching J-pod just south of Point Roberts around 2:45pm. J-pod was breaching like crazy all over the place. It looked like almost every member of J-pod must have breached at least once or twice all the way from the little ones up to the old timers. Ruffles (J1) breached several times, and even Granny (J2) made a full breach (see photograph above of her breach landing). Blackberry (J27) was really showing off with multiple breaches and cartwheels. They were breaching the entire time we spent watching them. We must have seen 75 breaches or more if you count all the half and quarter breaches. I’ve been out here for 8 years now and I was so excited that I was shaking. It was just awesome to see J-pod having such a great time, and to be able to share it with passengers that might never see another orca in their lifetimes! They will be orca fans for the rest of their lives.
Bart Rulon, Naturalist with Island Adventures inc.


June 3, 2008
K-Pod and L-Pod – Pender Island, between 4:30 pm and 4:40 pm, 16-18 members of K-Pod and L-Pod past Thieves Bay on Pender Island, heading north. They were very tightly grouped and within 20-30 metres of shore. We positively ID’d L57, L7 and, we’re quite certain, K40 (very raggedy back side to her dorsal fin). Who is the male with the very distinct “wavy” dorsal fin? And it’s not J1. Their behaviours as they past directly in front of us included: several spy hops, one Orca turning over onto its back and a couple of tail slaps. Further north, at Moaut Pt, they, as usual, became much more active: lots of pec and tail slaps, a bunch of breaches and one huge cartwheel.
Richard Philpot, Pender Island


June 2, 2008
We left J Pod slowing working their way south about 1.5 miles south of Matia Is., just north of Orcas Is, this evening at 1930 hrs, 7:30PM landlubber time. They spent the day working into a large flood and the ebb was kicking in so that they should be moving down toward San Juan Is.
Capt. Jim, Mays’s Westside Charters, San Juan Island


May 31, 2008
Humpback Sighting – Pender Island. This evening at 7:35 pm, we observed a large animal 50 metres south of Thieves Bay Marina and 100 metres offshore. Seconds later we heard a loud breath followed by the appearance of an arching back and then black flukes. This apparent humpback then showed us the underside of its flukes (7:38pm), which were almost solid white. It looked to be headed in a southerly direction in Swanson Channel. We scanned the horizon for the next 20 minutes but did not see it again. Our first thoughts were that this was a young adult whale. In five years, this the first time we have seen a humpback (if it was a humpback?) in Swanson Channel.
Richard Philpot, Pender Island


May 30, 2008
Today’s trip took us back again to Point Roberts (see Tuesdays report) to spend time with J-Pod. We had an interested group, calm seas, and sunshine to make the day even better. We spent about an hour with J-Pod watching them forage as they headed south towards Rosario. They were all spread out and we began our encounter with J-8, Speiden, and then moved on to view J-1, Ruffles, and J-2, Granny. Granny is the matriarch of J-Pod and estimated to be nearly 100 years old!!!
Megan, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris


From the Beam Reach GPS tracker, we have received whale reports of J pod beginning at 1320 just south of Pt. Roberts, heading south (Latitude:48.9297, Longitude:123.0429 ) and ending at 1908 in Rosario Strait, between Lummi and Orcas Islands (Latitude:48.6856, Longitude:-122.7384 ).


May 28, 2008
J pod – Pender Island 2025 . We just had three whales off our property on Mouat Point, North Pender Island. The male has a definite Port side bend to the dorsal fin, the other two appeared to be smaller, with smaller dorsal fins; females or juveniles? They were feeding and there was one huge leap before they continued Northwestward up Swanson Channel. Oops, just caught the sounds and brief sight of 3 or 4 more, following the first group. no id of any.
Marti Tilley


J pod – Pender Island, between 7:30pm and 8:45pm, we observed members of J-Pod pass Thieves Bay on Pender Island. We were on shore and counted 19-20 orcas in total. They were well spread out, heading north and with J26 leading the way. A female and calf followed quite close behind him (J16 and J42?). A little ways behind these three were another female and, what appeared to be, another calf. The first whales were travelling quite quickly, but as more swam by their behaviours varied: some obvious foraging, several pec and tail slaps, a couple of breaches and one spy hop. Most of the pod were a fair distance offshore so identification was difficult. J1 was seen 1000 metres offshore close to the back of the group. J34 was the only other male that we were able to specifically ID, but at least one other was present. There wasn’t a single power or sailboat in sight, well there was one whale watching boat near Oaks Bluff, but it left before J-Pod reached Thieves Bay.
Richard Philpot, Pender Island


May 27, 2008
Capt. Jim Maya called to report J pod 1 mile off the east tip of Pt. Roberts at 3:30 pm, heading south down Rosario, maybe toward Boundary Pass.


I’m sure Alison will send you a report of our incredible day, but here’s a picture (or two) that pretty well sums up how well it went.


John Boyd (JB) Marine Naturalist, Western Prince, Friday Harbor


We started our trip today with the news that J-pod was up at Sandy Point (near Vancouver BC) and heading north. Eventually Ivan said it looks good and off we went to Point Roberts. As we all eagerly searched for dorsal fins alas there was J1. It was almost as if he wanted to make sure we saw him. He logged on the surface for 2 minutes; you could not miss him. He did this a few times before joining up with J26 & J27 for some male bonding.
Alison Engle, Naturalist, Western Prince Cruises, Friday Harbor, WA


Report of orcas off Village Pt., Lummi Island at 9:30 p.m. – not sure of direction – very spread out – thanks Cindy Dahlstrom.
Penny Stone Lummi Island


We headed straight for Point Roberts in hopes of meeting J-Pod who was at the coal docks and traveling south towards the Rosario Strait. We got positive ID’s on J-1, J-2, J-16, J-42, J-26, and J-11. J-26, aka Mike, also breached over five times right in front of us! They were spy hopping, pec slapping, tail lobbing, breaching, and cartwheeling about.
Megan Young, naturalist (San Juan Safaris)


May 24, 2008
About 1:30 pm I saw several porpoises playing over by Cama Beach (west Camano Island) and also heard 2 whale blows. I was visiting on North Bluff.
Kathy Fritts, Freeland


May 23, 2008
48 deg. 42 min. N, 122 deg. 50 min. W. We saw the group of Orcas (likely J pod – sb) off Orcas Island between between Clark and Matia Islands at approximately 8:10 am while we were fishing for Spot Prawns. They were headed south east. It was a wonderful sight for us. The only other time I have spotted Orcas was 2001 off Whidbey Island between Whidbey and Mukilteo.
Trish


May 19, 2008
Two Transients went south in Sansum Narrows between Salt Spring Island and Vancouver Island, BC between noon and 1 PM. One had a big dorsal fin. The other was small. They swam right by Burial Island, which was littered with many nice seal sausages hauled out on the rocks. The Transients paid no attention to these tasty morsels, obviously not hungry!
Tamar Griggs
Bold Bluff Retreat


May 18, 2008
At 5AM a report came into our Hotline about orcas Heading North off Point Roberts. At 0645 I saw the end of some orcas moving fast Heading South off the Point. So did I miss Js? No. At 0845 a large number of orcas were also Heading South. This time some breaches 100 feet off shore. While Watch Watch Companies first found Js at Alden Bank at 1145 I was miles north of them with other Js. They all went into Rosario and I left them spread out in calm waters just East of Java Rocks at 1645.
Peter Hamilton


May 17, 2008
Js were off SJI. A lone Minke whale Heading West off Point Roberts.
Peter Hamilton


May 16, 2008
Js past East Point at approx. 2PM Heading towards Point Roberts.
Peter hamilton


A pod of orca surfaced around me in Ladysmith Harbor (south of Nanaimo, BC). They stuck with me from outside Transfer Beach through the narrows and all the way down to the sawdust barge pier at the mills, about 2 NM. Distance varied between 5 and 15 meters the entire way. 5 of them, I am pretty sure. A calf and an adult that always surfaced together, two adults that always surfaced together, and a single adult that was always by himself. Or there might have been two singles, but no way to be sure. They were short dorsal fin, by the way, and all seemed to have sort of lighter grey patch somewhat in front of the dorsal fin.


May 14, 2008
J’s are apparently in Enterprise Channel heading north at 1225.
Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island


J-Pod was heading back north up Swanson, and through Active Pass.
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Friday Harbor


May 12, 2008
We had reports in the Strait of Georgia of 12-15 killer whales seen from the Duke Point to Tsawwassen ferry on several trips during the evening (probably J pod?)
Alana Phillips, B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network


May 10, 2008
The Center for Whale Research reports J pod was off the Fraser River entrance, and almost to Lion’s Gate Bridge in Vancouver by nightfall.


J Pod off Fraser River, Strait of Georgia. We located J Pod at approximately 11:30 AM, offshore of the Fraser River. They were headed south at the time, and very spread out. They did a few directional changes in the time that boats were with them, and were last seen on our second outing at approximately 3:30 PM, heading Northwest from Point Grey, Vancouver. We observed several foraging lunges, and lots of pursuit behaviour, so hopefully they were finding lots to eat.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch


Our operator took this photo of Jpod at 5PM in waters off the North Arm of the Fraser River, BC.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Ocean Friends


May 9, 2008
We had reports in the Strait of Georgia last week of 8+ killer whales (6+ adults and at least 2 calves) off Powell River, heading S.
Alana Phillips, B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network


May 8, 2008
We had reports in the Strait of Georgia of 15-20 killer whales off Entrance Island, Nanaimo, heading NW, and 8+ killer whales (6+ adults and at least 2 calves) off Powell River, heading N.
Alana Phillips, B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network


May 5, 2008
Orca Network received a call this morning from Chris Peterson, reporting a sighting of orcas off the N. end of Texada Island, B.C Gulf Islands. There were at least 3 orcas, near Rebecca Rock, observed from 11-11:30 am.


May 3, 2008
Heard it through the grapevine that a group of Orcas was supposedly going through Active Pass.
John Boyd


March 13, 2008
I wanted to share with you a few pictures of the Orcas we saw on the ferry to Hornby Island this morning. It looked to be a small pod of 4 or 5 whales, one of them was quite young. They were feeding and then headed north towards Comox.
Vern Wright


February 13, 2008
7:15 am spotted one solitary Orca off Stanley point on Pender Island just inside the mouth of navy channel.
Andy Paige


February 3, 2008

Photo by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research. J27 horsing around with J30 and J34 (just beneath the surface) south of Enterprise Reef near Active Pass.


Dave Ellifrit and I went out and found the Js right at Navy Ch. just south of Active Pass and took them into active a bit. Every year when I see J1 and 2 for the first time I sure get the chills. Ron Bates said Js were seen at dusk near Tawassan.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya’s Charters, San Juan Island


Orca Network received a call from Marti Tilley of North Pender Island, B.C., reporting a pod of 6 – 7 orcas in Swanson Channel, mid channel, heading north off Mouat Pt. at 9:25 am. The pod included 1 adult male.


Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research called to report that Jim Maya & Dave Ellifrit had found the above reported orcas & it’s J pod! They had them at 11:05 am heading north through Active Pass.


A pod of approximately 15 [orcas] entered Active Pass northbound at 11:15 am. I watched them feeding for some 15 minutes off Helen Point before they entered the Pass. They were very active, with quite a bit of surface activity. It appeared to be the pod with 2 adult males. Once in the Pass, they travelled fairly directly through.
Betty Kennedy