J-pod encountered and photographed
in Strait of Juan de Fuca, April 8, 2008
photo by John Durban. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822.
J26 rises to take a breath with San Juan Island in the background.
photo by Dave Ellifrit. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822.
J26's left eye is visible as he surfaces in Haro Strait heading southwest towards the Strait of Juan de Fuca, April 8, 2008.
photo by Dave Ellifrit. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822.
J42 takes a peak above the surface directly behind her mother, J16.
photo by John Durban. This photo was taken under MMPA permit #532-1822.
Four-year-old J38 takes a deep breath directly alongside orphaned cousin J32.
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Track of Encounter #006
Encounter #06
April 8, 2008
J pod
Platform: Orca Starlet
Departed Snug Harbor: 10:45 a.m.
Begin Encounter: 11:10 a.m.
Start Lat: 48° 28.814 N
Start Long: 123° 06.608 W
End Encounter: 1:36 p.m.
End Lat: 48° 22.32 N
End Long: 123° 07.98 W
Returned to Snug Harbor: 3:15 p.m.
Observers: Dave Ellifrit and John Durban.
Report by John Durban: " first heard whales on the OrcaSound hydrophone stream at around 9:20 a.m. By 9:40 a.m. the first whales were visual southbound in front of the Center for Whale Research — J-pod spread out and moving fast. Dave and I responded in Orca Starlet and caught up with them at 11:10 a.m. off Kanaka Bay (48 28.814N, 123 06.605W). Over the next two and a half ours the whales gradually grouped-up and moved in a southerly and then southwesterly direction. By the end of the encounter at 1:36 p.m. they were just west of Hein Bank (48° 22.32 N 123° 07.98 W) and had begun to rest in a tight group. All members of J-pod were present and photographed, with the exception of the J14’s (J14, J30, J37 and J40). We did see these whales pass the house earlier in the morning. We were very successful in obtaining identification photographs and also photogrammetry data for assessing individual size and growth. Specifically, we were able to re-measure the sprouter males (J26 and J27) and also the pre-sprouter J33, all of whom have been measured in previous years. This will enable us to assess growth rates."
