J POD NEAR SMITH ISLAND MORNING OF THURSDAY May 21, 2009

Five Star Charter's Fastcat departed just after 1000 to head out to a report of killer whales (Orcinus orca) near the south end of Lopez Island. Upon departing there were vessels with the whales but while we were on our way we got a new report that the whales could no longer be found. Fortunately, about half way to the Lopez Island area in the south of Haro Strait, we found out that Mark Malleson aka "Mallard" had spotted the group of whales again. They had moved out into Haro Strait to an area near Smith Island. So, we were very fortunate to see these whales. When We arrived I took a look at some of the animals and saw that we had J pod with the K13 matriline from K pod!

J pod female...possibly J35, Tahlehquah, one of the older sister to J17s, Princess Angeline's, calf J44

J27, Blackberry, an 18 year old nearly mature male

Wonderful view of Mount Baker

Fish boat in Haro Strait

We were very lucky because the first group we saw was J17, Princess Angeline, with her new calf, J44. Of course, the calve's older sisters J28, Polaris, and J35, Tahlequah, were there. They were heading in a westerly direction but probably not going anywhere in particular since J pod and the K13s was very spread out foraging. After watching those groups for a while we moved over closer to San Juan Island where J1, Ruffles, J2, Granny, and J8, Speiden were travelling north together in a tight group. We had a great look at that group and Speiden even did a spy hop for us!

J1, Ruffles, the oldest male in J pod estimated to be born in 1951

J1, Ruffles, and J8, Speiden, travelling up Haro Strait

J2, Granny

J8, Speiden, spyhopping

J2, Granny, J8, Speiden and J1, Ruffles

After watching the eldest members of J pod travelling together for a while we had to leave to go back to the Victoria Harbour. On the way home we had another unexpected sighting...a minke whale surfaced right in front of the boat! Unfortunately, most of the guests didn't see it because it surfaced right off the bow out of the view from their seats.

We made it back to the Victoria Harbour just past 1300. What a wonderful sunny morning with flat calm seas, J pod foraging and a minke whale in Haro Strait!