New calf in L pod! L111 off the west side of San Juan Island, August 12, 2008 photo by Dave Ellifrit. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. New calf in L pod, L111 with its mother L47 discovered only hours after its birth on the west side of San Juan Island, August 12, 2008. photo by Courtney Smith. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. L47 with new calf, L111 off Pile Point, August 12, 2008. photo by Dave Ellifrit. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. L47 with oldest daughter L83 and grandson L110 traveling tight in Haro Strait, August 12, 2008. photo by Dave Ellifrit. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. L110 and L83 travel south with L47 and new family member L111 (barely visible next to L47!) down the west side, August 12, 2008. View Larger Map Vessel track of Encounter #35. Encounter #35 August 12, 2008 L pod Platform: Orca Departed Snug Harbor: 12:13 p.m. Begin Encounter: 12:47 p.m. Start Lat: 48° 28.47 N Start Long: 123° 05.59 W End Encounter: 2:36 p.m. End Lat: 48° 28.62 N End Long: 123° 06.54 W Returned to Snug Harbor: 3:43 Observers: Dave Ellifrit and Courtney Smith The Center for whale research encountered the L21 subgroup of L pod traveling north from False Bay at 12:54 p.m., August 12, 2008. Center staff immediately noticed the presence of a very small calf traveling close to L47. L47 was observed the previous day without a calf, therefore indicating that the new calf, designated L111, is less than 24 hours old. The calf is very small and orange and the fetal folds are still clearly visible (see above photographs), further supporting the conclusion that the calf was just born that day or the night before. L111 was observed traveling tight with mother L47, sisters L83 and L91 and nephew L110. The group was traveling up and down the west side of San Juan Island close to shore and apparently foraging. L83 was seen with a fish in her mouth and the others were observed chasing and milling. The encounter ended at 2:36 p.m. just north of False Bay. the whales continued south traveling tight and close to shore. For more information on L111 please go to: 2008_New_calf_L111.html POSTED: 2:00 p.m. August 12, 2008