Aerial photographs of southern residents


J27
Photos by Erin Heydenreich

Encounter # 68 • September 8 • J's, K's and L's
Haro Strait
Vessel: Airship "Eureka"

Observer: Erin Heydenreich

The Airship "Eureka", which has been on a tour of the Pacific Northwest since mid August, took a flight over Haro Strait on September 8th. Eureka, one of the largest zeppelins in the world, is operated by Airship Ventures based in California. Farmers Insurance donated two days of flight time to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in collaboration with North West Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) and the Center for Whale Research (CWR). The purpose of the mission was to get aerial photographs of southern resident killer whales for photogrammetry studies as well as to examine vessel-whale distribution. In 2008 the Center for Whale Research participated in a initial photogrammetric study of southern residents using a helicopter as the aerial photography platform (Encounter 49). In addition to collecting updated measurements, this mission served as a opportunity to test out an alternative aerial platform for similar studies in the future. Measurements taken from aerial photographs can be used to look at individual growth, body condition and nutritional status.

Due to weather constraints the 2 day mission was reduced to a half day mission which took place on Wednesday. Eureka departed Paine Field in Everett Washington at 1:55 p.m. Among those on board were Brad Hanson of NMFS, and Erin Heydenreich of CWR. Approximately an hour later the airship arrived at the south end of San Juan Island where resident killer whales were reported off the Salmon Bank buoy. The airship was coordinating with both Center vessels, Orca and Shachi, as well as the NOAA vessel, Phocina 2, to identify the individual whales being photographed from above. The airship hovered around False Bay for about 45 minutes to an hour before turning north east to pass over Roche Harbor and then headed back to Paine Field where it landed at 6:00 p.m.
For more photos of the trip go to:
Airship Adventures Blogspot

The whales observed were J's, K's and L's. They were spread out in mixed social groups. Many whales were milling off False Bay.The whales reportedly went north later that evening. For more information that encounter click here: Encounter 68