Encounter Summary:

Taking time to motor home after leaving the Southern Residents due east of Hein Bank and heading South-Southeast toward Admiralty Inlet, we were rewarded with observations of several harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and way off in the distance the distinct “rooster tail” spray given off by Dall’s porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) when they are traveling very fast near the surface of the water. As we approached Open Bay at 14:28 we were pleased to see two small mixed groups with the T36As and T65Bs. It was fascinating to observe these Biggs/Transient killer whales engaging in “social, interactive” behaviors such as rolling over on one another, pec fin slapping, tail waving, and even kelping. With photo proof of presence captured, we motored away at 14:45, ending a spectacularly warm day on the water in early October.

Notes-Comments:Ken in “Chimo” had arrived a few minutes earlier when the whales were off the Center for Whale Research capturing an unlucky seal. They travelled very close to shore and checked out every clump of kelp between CWR and Smuggler’s Cove before heading out into Open Bay. The seal captureoff CWr was the only one documented, but there may have been others that were quickly dispatched.

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