Date: 08-Dec-18

Sequence: 5

Encounter Number: 107

Enc Start Time: 13:40

Enc End Time: 14:35

Vessel: Morning Star

Observers: Melisa Pinnow, Jane Cogan, Tom Cogan

Pods or ecotype: J pod

Location: Strait of Juan de Fuca

Begin Lat/Long: 48 15.067/-123 35.507

End Lat/Long: 48 15.800/-123 34.900

 

Encounter Summary:

Melisa, Tom, and Jane met at Roche Harbor and left the dock around 1000 aboard “Morning Star”. With the possibility of J pod still being the area after exiting Puget Sound the day prior, “Morning Star” headed west to search for them in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. At 1240, a lunge-feeding humpback was spotted near Crescent Bay (48 11.800/-123 43.650). “Morning Star” stayed with the humpback for about ten minutes as it continuously lunged through the water with its mouth wide open and identified it as BCY0769. At 1250, a report of killer whales near Victoria came in.

“Morning Star” headed back east and began looking for the leaders south of Beechey Head. At 1340, J26 was spotted heading west southwest of Race Rocks near the US-Canada border. “Morning Star” continued to slowly work east, taking distant photos of whales to the north and south. J pod was spread out over a large area and many of the whales were taking long deep dives as they slowly headed west. J31 and J40 were found loosely traveling together, then J22 and J38.

At 1400, J17 was found slowly westbound by herself. Unfortunately, J17 was still looking thin so “Morning Star” only stayed for a few surfacings, then left her alone. J39, J44, and J49 appeared to the north of her and J44 split off from the loose group and headed towards J17. J37 was also in the vicinity. J19, J36, J41, and J51 were found scattered about to the north of them. The encounter was ended at 1435 about 3 miles southwest of Race Rocks as J pod slowly continued west.