2017 Encounters
Encounter #106 - Dec 16, 2017
 T77, T77CPhoto by Melisa Pinnow |  T77BPhoto by Melisa Pinnow |  T77EPhoto by Melisa Pinnow |
|---|---|---|
 T77C, T75A, T77E, T77DPhoto by Melisa Pinnow |  T30B1, T30B, T30B2Photo by Melisa Pinnow |  T75APhoto by Dave Ellifrit |
 T75A, T77, and T75Photo by Dave Ellifrit |  T30B2Photo by Dave Ellifrit |  T30B2 and T30BPhoto by Dave Ellifrit |
 T77D and T77BPhoto by Dave Ellifrit |  T75 and the T77sPhoto by Dave Ellifrit |
Date: 16-Dec-17
Sequence: 1
Encounter Number: 106
Enc Start Time: 13:57
Enc End Time: 15:27
Vessel: Morning Star
Observers: Dave Ellifrit, Melisa Pinnow, Jane Cogan, Tom Cogan
Pods or ecotype: T30Bs, T75s, T77s
Location: Strait of Juan de Fuca
Begin Lat/Long: 48 21.646/123 12.841
End Lat/Long: 48 18.263/123 05.305
Encounter Summary:
On the afternoon of 16-Dec-2017, reports started coming in of whales south of Trial Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Dave, Melisa, Jane, and Tom headed down to Snug Harbor and left aboard "Morning Star" at 1300. At 1357, “Morning Star” arrived on scene with the T30Bs, T75s, and T77s slowly traveling southbound a few miles east of Constance Bank.
For the entire encounter the T75s and T77s traveled in a tight group together. The T30Bs generally paralleled the T75s and T77s by a few hundred yards but would occasionally move back over to join them for a few minutes before splitting off again. It did not appear that any kills were made during the encounter. The encounter was ended at 1527 as the whales picked up speed and continued south toward Admiralty Inlet.
Photos taken under whale watch guidelines.