San Juan Islands
When “J” pod meets with “L” pod do you get “Orca-bet” soup? Whatever you would like to call it, you end up with an inspiring spectacle to behold. As rhythmic as a Ferris wheel, a continuous flow of killer whale dorsal fins sliced through the calm waters along the west side of San Juan Island. A change of course by the lead animal brought the entire pod alongside the Sea Bird. The sound of the whales’ exhalations left us nearly breathless.
These particular groups of whales have been studied for over 30 years. Their distinctive eye patches, dorsal fins and grey saddle patches have enabled researches to identify individual members of the pods. Our own reference library holds books identifying the various members of “J” and “L” pod, the combined population of the two pods comes to over 70 animals. This number has recently been supplemented by the arrival of calves which is a promising sign.
Some call these animals “Orca” and some call them “killer whales.” The latter name justifiably so, as transient pods include other whale species on their dinner menu. Whatever you would like to call them; exceptional, stupendous or astounding these words could also describe our first day of exploration surrounded by killer whales.
When “J” pod meets with “L” pod do you get “Orca-bet” soup? Whatever you would like to call it, you end up with an inspiring spectacle to behold. As rhythmic as a Ferris wheel, a continuous flow of killer whale dorsal fins sliced through the calm waters along the west side of San Juan Island. A change of course by the lead animal brought the entire pod alongside the Sea Bird. The sound of the whales’ exhalations left us nearly breathless.
These particular groups of whales have been studied for over 30 years. Their distinctive eye patches, dorsal fins and grey saddle patches have enabled researches to identify individual members of the pods. Our own reference library holds books identifying the various members of “J” and “L” pod, the combined population of the two pods comes to over 70 animals. This number has recently been supplemented by the arrival of calves which is a promising sign.
Some call these animals “Orca” and some call them “killer whales.” The latter name justifiably so, as transient pods include other whale species on their dinner menu. Whatever you would like to call them; exceptional, stupendous or astounding these words could also describe our first day of exploration surrounded by killer whales.
