New calf J46 with it's mom J28
Photo byJonh Durban

Whale surfing in the bow wave of a freighter
Photo by John Durban

Encounter # 57 • November 12 • J and K pods


Observer: John Durban

Encounter 57 was conducted by John Durban with K and J whales spread out in Puget Sound north of Seattle on 12 November 2009. John obtained good documentation of the new calf J46, and captured some of the exhilirating moments as a young males surfed in the bow wave of container ship "OOCL Quingdao". These resident whales have obviously adapted to vessel traffic and the associated noise, whereas transient and offshore whales are more skittish.

These photos were taken under MMPA permit #532-1822and/or DFO license #2006-08/SARA-34.