| Jpod spends April Fool's Day 2008 along west side of San Juan Island  photo by Kelley Balcomb-Bartok. This photo was from shore along the west side of San Juan Island. Naturalists and staff of the Whale Museum take a break from their day to enjoy one of the first opportunities of the Spring to watch J-pod along the west side of San Juan Island.  photo by Dave Ellifrit. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. From left, J40, J30 and J14 head northbound in Haro Strait April 1, 2008.  photo by Ken Balcomb. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. A U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender vessel passes between J1 and a sailboat in Haro Strait. Encounter #02 April 1, 2008 J pod Platform: "T-Bo" (aka. Tin Boat) Observers: Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit. Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit were launching the Center's new minimum impact research vessel, "T-Bo" (which is an acronym for tin boat) at Roche Harbor, when Brian Goodremont (San Juan Outfitters) told them that J pod was off the west side of San Juan Island. Was it April Fools or for real? After launching, Ken and Dave responded and confirmed all members of J pod present, except the new calf, J43, born to J14 last autumn and is presumed dead. The 2008 research season now begins. |