JULY 19, 2009 AFTERNOON J pod in Haro Strait

Departure time: 1401

Vessel: Five Star Charter's Supercat

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

Time: 1128 - 1202

Start location: 1 mile west of False Bay, San Juan Island, Washington

Behaviour: groups spread and milling

End location: west side of San Juan Island, Washington

Pods and individuals identified: J pod - J31, J27, J39, J1, J32, J28, J32, J17, J44

Cool killer whale fact: Newborn orcas are 7-8 feet long, 3-400 lbs.; adult females are 17-24 feet, 5-9,000 lbs; adult males are 22-30 feet, 8-12,000 lbs

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

J32, Rhapsody, a 13 year old female

Above 4 photos: J27, Blackberry, an 18 year old male Southern `Resident` fish eating killer whale

J17, Princess Angeline (32 years old) with her new calf J44 (7 months)

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!