Date: 02-Dec-17

Sequence: 1

Encounter Number: 104

Enc Start Time: 14:17

Enc End Time: 16:04

Vessel: Morning Star

Observers: Melisa Pinnow, Johnny Berg, Jane Cogan, Tom Cogan

Pods or ecotype: J pod

Location: San Juan Channel

Begin Lat/Long: 48 37.033/123 04.875

End Lat/Long: 48 33.783/123 00.305

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Encounter Summary:

On the afternoon of 02-Dec-2017, reports started coming in of whales in Spieden Channel. Melisa, Johnny, Jane, and Tom headed down to Snug Harbor and left aboard "Morning Star" at 1330. The first whales, J36 and J39, were encountered at 1417 off of Limestone Point, San Juan Island. The two were milling about and going down on long dives. With only a few hours left of light and very spread out whales, proof or presence photos were acquired of J36 and J39 before “Morning Star” moved on to find more whales.

J41 and J51 were soon located a few hundred yards northeast. They were also milling together and diving deep in search of salmon. J16, J26, and J50 were spotted grouped up over near Flattop Island at 1453. The three were traveling toward Limestone Point while J19 and J42 paralleled them a few hundred yards away to the east.

“Morning Star” headed south down San Juan Channel in search of whales that had not been seen yet. At 1530, J45 and L87 were encountered as they foraged and headed south together right off of Point Caution. J27 circled further out in the middle of the channel and then also turned south. J38 was southbound a few hundred yards ahead of J27.

J31, J35, J40, J46, and J47 were found milling and logging in front of Friday Harbor together. J31 and J46 then split off and started heading back up the channel close to the Shaw Island shoreline. J38 almost joined up with J35, J40, and J47 but turned and headed back up the channel too. J27 was northbound as well. With light fading fast, the encounter was ended at 1604.