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.