JULY 1, 2009 MORNING J pod in Haro Strait and Happy Canada Day!

Departure time: 1000
Vessel: Five Star Charter's Fastcat

Sighting #1: Southern 'Resident' fish eating killer whales (Orcinus orca)

Start Time: 1050 - 1131

Start location: Andrews Bay, San Juan Island, Washington

Behaviour: tight and travelling fast

End location: Kellett Bluff, Henry Island

Individuals identified: J1, J2, J8, J19, J41, J33, J16, J42, J30

Cool fact about this species - Newborn orcas are 7-8 feet long, 3-400 lbs.; adult females are 17-24 feet, 5-9,000 lbs; adult males are22-30 feet, 8-12,000 lbs (see more at Orca Sightings Network fact sheet)

Links

Center for Whale Research killer whale fact page, photo ID and matrilines

Orca Adoption Program at Friday Harbour Whale Museum

Orcasound online hydrophone network

Orca Sightings Network

American Cetacean Society fact sheet

J1, Ruffles, oldest male in the Southern Resident killer whale community...estimated to be born in 1951!

J1 taillobbing!!

J8, Speiden, one of the oldest females in J pod (estimated to be born in 1933) with a young whale, likely to be J41 (4 years old), trailing behind

J1, Ruffles

Above 2 photos: J2, Granny (estimated to be born in 1911 and closely related to Ruffles) and J1, Ruffles

J19, Schachi, a 30 year old female travelling with a male

Above 2 photos: inverted tail lob...belly up tail slapping!

Sighting #2 Harbour Seals (Phoca vitulina)

Time: 1200

Location: Chain Island, Oak Bay, BC

Behaviour: animals hauled out on rocks and swimming

Links
Vancouver Aquarium harbour seal fact page

Bull Kelp at the Chain Islands, Oak Bay

Harbour seals hauled out in the Chain Islands with Mount Olympus, Washington in the background

SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP SAVE THE WHALES AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT

To learn some ways how you can help save the whales and the oceans they live in see the Whale Nerds Unite blogpost for June 27, 2009!