J, K, and L pods at Turn Point, September 2, 2008

photo by Ken Balcomb. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822,
and/or DFO license #2006-08/SARA-34.
Breach off Turn Point, September 2, 2008.

photo by Erin Heydenreich. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822,
and/or DFO license #2006-08/SARA-34.
Whale porposing in Haro Strait, September 2, 2008.

photo by Stefan Jacobs. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822,
and/or DFO license #2006-08/SARA-34.
J35, L55, and J17 head south past Stewart Island, September 2, 2008.

photo by Stefan Jacobs. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822,
and/or DFO license #2006-08/SARA-34.
K25 surfacing off Mitchell Bay, September 2, 2008.

photo by Ken Balcomb. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822,
and/or DFO license #2006-08/SARA-34.
K20 and K25 movig fast down the west side of San Juan Island, September 2, 2008.


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Vessel track of Encounter #46.

Encounter #46
September 2, 2008
J, K, L pods
Platform: Orca
Departed Snug Harbor: 4:18 p.m.
Begin Encounter: 4:43 p.m.
Start Lat: 48° 40' 58.44 N
Start Long: 123° 14' 19.68 W
End Encounter: 6:40 p.m.
End Lat: 48° 34' 22.08 N
End Long: 123° 11' 38.40 W
Returned to Snug Harbor: 6:47 p.m.
Observers: Ken Balcomb, Erin Heydenreich and Stefan Jacobs

Center for Whale Research staff encountered J's, K's and L's at 4:43 p.m., at Turn Point September 2, 2008. The whales had been coming down from Point Roberts since mid morning. They were spread out across the strait traveling south. Staff observed whales milling, as well as social and tactile behavior. The encounter ended one and a half miles west of Mitchell Bay at 6:40 p.m. The whales began porposing south, still spread out in groups.

POSTED: 12:45 p.m. September 3, 2008