Synchronized swimming...(by MLM, taken under DFO permit)


Photo by MLM (taken under DFO permit)


K20 and friends (taken by MLM, under DFO permit)


Mark Malleson, working under DFO permit on Eagle Dancer

Encounter # 89 • December 2 • J's, K's and L87 off Victoria

Observer: Mark Melleson

Begin Encounter:14:12
End Encounter : 15:21

On December 1, 2010, at approximately 9am, Ken Balcomb spotted whales from the Center that were heading down Vancouver Island towards Oak Bay. His intuition told him these were our Southern Residents - a guess which was later confirmed by friend Mark Malleson who had them swim by his boat in the middle of fishing trip! Though Mark wasn't able to snap many pictures that day, the SRKWs double backed the next day (Dec 2) and Mark was able to catch up with them at 14:12 off the Victoria Waterfront. Most of the J's and K's were photographed (including wannabe L87) but conditions were less than ideal, so at 15:21 Mark headed back to shore. Later that evening, at about 7pm, amazing vocalizations by our Southern Residents could be heard on the OrcaSound hydrophone.

These photos were taken under DFO permit.