What a morning! Early reports of whales brought us south to Lawson Reef, where we were delighted to find the T100s (minus T100E) and T101s (minus T101A) enjoying a family reunion. These five Bigg’s were very surface present as we arrived, then we gradually watched them transition into hunting mode as they neared the shorelines of Lopez Island. It was sweet to see Uncle Lagoon spending time with his nephew Estrella. As we were leaving the scene, the pod started porpoising southwest with a purpose! We would soon hear that several miles away another pod was porpoising northeast directly towards them! Clearly there had been communication between the two groups of Bigg’s, but exactly what was said we may never know. The two groups got within half a mile of each other, the T101 matriline tightly grouped, the T60s spread over a quarter of a mile. Whether they physically met is unclear, as nothing was observed above the waterline, but what we can say is mature male Yelnatz had led the rush, and was the first to take a 90 degree turn in the opposite direction of the T101 matriline. Fascinating!
We spent the second half of our trip with the T60s as they cruised through the bull kelp forests off the southern side of Lopez Island. We then worked our way back to the east, where we slowed at Castle Island for belted king fishers, harbor seals, and bull kelp. We slowed again at Bird Rocks to visit with a proud male Steller sea lion, dozens of harbor seals, and nesting cormorants and gulls. Other highlights of the day included a Sabines gull sighting near McArthur Bank, many common murres and their young, and the distant vocals of marbled murrelets.
What a spectacular morning on the water!
Sam
3 PM
This afternoon, we received new reports of orcas coming down Hale pass, and decided to point north to investigate. As we cruised past Guemes and Sinclair, we were greeted by stunning afternoon light and calm, pastel waters. Up in Bellingham Bay, we spotted a small black fin and went over to check it out. This little fin popped up on our left, then our right, then our left again, and we rushed back and forth from port to starboard each time… is this what it feels like to get pranked by a killer whale?
Soon enough, the culprit showed herself: the trouble maker, 11 year old T37A4 Crinkle. Almost certainly, she was laughing at us below the surface. We also got glimpses at her partner in crime, 19 year old T99B Holly. These two have been absolutely loving each others company recently, and we’ve observed them swimming together often in the last few days. I don’t blame them, who doesn’t love a bit of girl time? During our time with these two, we also spotted a few red necked phalaropes floating in an eelgrass raft!
After visiting with Crinkle and Holly, we scooted over to another pair of whales, Holly’s little brothers. T99C Barakat and T99D Puck were engaged in some pray sharing, logging for short periods at the surface and wiggling back and forth, most likely processing their catch. It was so fun to see the physical difference between these two. Barakat, being 17, has a much larger dorsal fin that we were able to see wobbling at the surface. His little brother Puck, at 11 years old, hasn’t quite reached puberty yet and still has a small fin similar to his sisters and mom. You’ll get there in a few years, Puck.
After our visit with these boys, we slowly made our way over to the last members of the T99s, mom T99 Bella and her youngest daughter, 5 year old T99E Qwiin qwiin oo qwii la. Slowly, Barakat and Puck made their way over to mom and little sister, and at the very end of our encounter, Crinkle and Holly began to make their way over as well. After our visit with the T99s (and guest star Crinkle, who is currently taking a vacation from her own family), we turned back south. Stopping at Eliza Island, we spotted lots of harbor seals hauled out and resting, and were able to discuss the important connection between our Bigg’s and our seals. After, we set a course for home along the back side of Guemes island. Such a lovely afternoon!
Amy
Island Adventures 