K and L pod shuffle along the west side of San Juan Island
June 21, 2008

photo by Astrid van Ginneken. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822.

New K pod calf, K42 traveling fast in Haro Strait, June 21, 2008.

photo by Erin Heydenreich. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822.
Whale spy hops with a chunk of salmon in mouth, June 21, 2008.

photo by Stewart Macintyre. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822.
K and L pod travel close to South Beach, Mt. Baker in the background, June 21, 2008.


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Vessel track of Encounter #19-1.

Encounter #19-1
June 21, 2008
K and L pod
Platform: Orca
Departed Snug Harbor: 10:49 a.m.
Begin Encounter: 11:20 a.m.
Start Lat: 48° 26.904 N
Start Long: 123° 01.866 W
End Encounter: 3:56 p.m.
End Lat: 48° 26.255 N
End Long: 123° 57.373 W
Returned to Snug Harbor: 4:53 p.m.
Observers: Astrid van Ginneken, Erin Heydenreich, Mackenzie Consoer, Stewart Macintyre

The Center for Whale Research staff encountered K pod and a few L's off Eagle Point at 11: 20 a.m., June 20, 2008. The whales were spread out from shore to the middle of Haro Strait traveling north. Around 1:30 the whales turned around and began traveling south at False Bay. Most of K pod was seen and documented along with some members of L pod. The encounter ended at 3:36 p.m. when the whales began traveling south at a fast pace, just southwest of Cattle Point.

photo by Dave Ellifrit. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822.
L77 and L41 traveling tight in Haro Strait, June 21, 2008.

Encounter #19-2
June 21, 2008
K and L pod
Platform: Starlet
Departed Roche Harbor: 11:15
Begin Encounter: 12:01 p.m.
Start Lat: 48° 28.950 N
Start Long: 123° 07.049 W
End Encounter: 2:54 p.m.
End Lat: 48° 26.425 N
End Long: 123° 01.041 W
Returned to Snug Harbor: 4:30 p.m.
Observers: Dave Ellifrit, Kayla Graham, and John Durban

Shortly after Center for Whale Research vessel, Orca, arrived on scene, another Center vessel, Starlet encountered L pod and a few members of K pod spread out in mid Haro Strait at 12:01 p.m. The whales were initially traveling north, then made a turn south at False Bay. Observers on Starlet followed the whales until 2:54 p.m. as they continued traveling south just off American Camp on the west side of San Juan Island. Most members of L pod that were present were observed and documented, however not all members of L pod were believed to be present

POSTED: 2:09 p.m. June 23, 2008