J, K, L pods in southern Haro Strait, September 16, 2008 photo by Dave Ellifrit. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. L73 in southern Haro Strait, September 16, 2008. photo by Erin Heydenreich. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. J42 travels between mom, J16 and big brother, J26 off Hein Bank, September 16, 2008. photo by Holly Fearnbach. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. Aerial photograph of southern residents in Haro Strait, September 16 2008. photo by Dave Ellifrit. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. Whale breaching in mid channel, September 16, 2008. photo by Erin Heydenreich. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. Whale blowing bubbles in Haro Strait, September 16, 2008. photo by Holly Fearnbach. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822. Aerial photograph of SRKW just west of Hein Bank, September 16, 2008. View Larger Map Vessel track of Encounter #56 Encounter #56 September 16, 2008 J, K, L pods Platform: Starlet Departed Snug Harbor: 9:55 a.m. Begin Encounter: 10:13 a.m. Start Lat: 48° 28.851 N Start Long: 123° 06.839 W End Encounter: 1:15 p.m. End Lat: 48° 20.951 N End Long: 123° 07.071 W Returned to Snug Harbor: 2:58 p.m. Observers: Dave Ellifrit, Erin Heydenreich and Mackenzie Consoer The Center staff encountered K21 traveling slowly west at 10:20 a.m. off False Bay, September 16, 2008. J's, K's and L's wre spread out from Hannah Heights to Eagle Point. A few minutes later L22, L79, L90, and the L55's were spotted traveling northwest. At 11:13 a.m. mixed groups of K's and L's along with the J19's and J22's turned around and began traveling southwest. There were very few boats on scene and the water was flat calm. Center staff observed a lot of socializing, milling and vocalizing. The Center coordinated with a helicopter to continue taking aerial photographs for the purpose of assessing body condition, health and nutritional status of southern residents. Starlet followed the whales to a few miles west of Hein Bank where they were spread out in tight groups across the Strait. The encounter ended at 1:15 p.m.. On the return trip to Snug Harbor, a minke whale was encountered off South Beach. POSTED: 12:00 p.m. September 18, 2008