Date: 01-Aug-18

Sequence: 1

Encounter Number: 56

Enc Start Time: 12:30

Enc End Time: 13:05

Vessel: Orcinus

Observers: David Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Flora Miles

Pods or ecotype: Transients

Location: Gulf Islands

Begin Lat/Long: 48 46.59, 123 00.55

End Lat/Long: 48 48.06, 123 02.53

 

Encounter Summary:

The team had heard about J and L pod coming south from Georgia Strait, and decided to catch them as they headed towards the San Juan Islands. As they were leaving, they heard a second report of a group of transients near East Point. They left the dock at 1140, heading north.

At 1230, they found the T18s, north of Patos Island. The group of 4 whales had split into two pairs. T19C and T19 were traveling together and headed towards East Point, apparently foraging. After photographing these two, Orcinus moved off to find the other pair.

T18 and T19B were traveling together much further offshore. They went on frequent, long dives, and traveled in a bit of a zig-zag pattern, suggesting they may have been searching for potential prey items. The team stayed with this pair until 1305, before leaving to go catch up with the residents on the other side of Georgia Strait.