This sunny afternoon we departed on Five Star Charter's Supercat to head out to a report of Resident 'fish eating' killer whales (Orcinus orca). We travelled from the Victoria Harbour to the west side of San Juan Island, Washington in Haro Strait. We arrived at Pile Point, San Juan Island at about 1455 and watched members of the L12 sub-pod of the Southern Resident Killer Whale community.
Above 2 photos: L41, a mature male who was born in 1977
Yes, they do breach but sometimes it's hard to catch in a photograph!
The whales were spread out milling around which indicates they were most likely actively foraging. During this nice sighting I was able to get a good look at and identify L41, Mega, a 32 year old male, L12, Alexis and L25, Ocean Sun, both females estimated to be in their 70s and L87, a male estimated to be 17 years old. Currently the L12 subpod includes 10 animals and we had reports that a female K20, Spock and her son, K38, Comet were also reported with the group. K20 is part of a matriline in K pod which, up until last year, was believed to possibly include 5 generations.
L12, a female believed to be in her 70s and the matriarch of the L12 subpod
The likely matriarch of this group died last year and this has resulted in some interesting social interactions. Since she died this matriline has been seen travelling with J pod, then these two animals separated from all of the rest of K pod, spent the last few days travelling alone and have now joined with the L12 subpod. It's difficult to say why they have separated but it may have something to do with the loss of K7, Lummi, who was probably an important link to the rest of K pod.
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