J's and L's on the west side of San Juan Island, September 8, 2008 photo by Astrid van Ginneken. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. J40 catches a salmon off False Bay, September 8, 2008. photo by Erin Heydenreich. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. J42 travels close to mom, J16, in Haro Strait, September 8, 2008. photo by Holly Fearnbach. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. Aerial photo of Southern Residents taken by helicopter off the west side of San Juan Island, September 8, 2008. photo by Holly Fearnbach. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. Aerial photo of the J14's milling off False Bay, September 8, 2008. View Larger Map Vessel track of Encounter #49. Encounter #49 September 8, 2008 J, L pods Platform: Starlet Departed Snug Harbor: 9:28 a.m. Begin Encounter: 10:02 a.m. Start Lat: 48° 28.757 N Start Long: 123° 06.258 W End Encounter: 12:20 End Lat: 48° 30.153 N End Long: 123° 08.996 W Returned to Snug Harbor: 3:41 p.m. Observers: Erin Heydenreich and Astrid van Ginneken The Center for Whale Research is currently working under contract from National Marine Fisheries Service to conduct aerial photogrammetry of body size and body condition to monitor health and nutritional status of southern residents. The Center vessels will be working in coordination with a chartered Robinson R44 Clipper helicopter to identify the individuals being photographed from the air. The study was initiated September 8, 2008 and will continue through the end of the month. Center staff encountered J pod with L57, L53 and L7 milling off Pile Point at 10:02 a.m., September 8, 2008. The whales were spread out in groups and apparently foraging. J40 was observed catching a salmon, as seen in the above photograph. The encounter ended at 12:20 off Hannah Heights. The whales had begun traveling north, still spread out in groups. The J's and the three L's reportedly continued north up to Point Roberts. POSTED: 9:45 p.m. September 10, 2008