Date: 24-Feb-18

Sequence: 1

Encounter Number: 09

Enc Start Time: 15:10

Enc End Time: 16:48

Vessel: Morning Star

Observers: Dave Ellifrit, Melisa Pinnow, Jane Cogan, Tom Cogan

Pods or ecotype: T87, T124A2s, T124C

Location: Rosario Strait

Begin Lat/Long: 48 27.117/-122 42.092

End Lat/Long: 48 23.484/-122 46.696

 

Encounter Summary:

At about 1200, “Island Explorer 5” discovered transients between Fidalgo Head and James Island in Rosario Strait. Melisa, Dave, Jane, and Tom met at Snug Harbor and left aboard “Morning Star" at about 1410. “Island Explorer 5” had since left the whales for bit but then returned to the scene and stayed with them until “Morning Star” could reach the area. “Morning Star” arrived on scene with T87, the T124A2s, and T124C at 1510. The whales were still in Rosario Strait off the south side of Allan Island, near Williamson Rocks.

As the whales started heading southwest, T124A2A and T124C began goofing off together and lagged behind T87, T124A, and T124A2B. At times, T124A2B would fall back and play with T124A2A and T124C before joining back up with mom. Once the group arrived at a shallow area to the west of Lawson Reef, they all started milling and socializing together.

There were many spy hops, aerial scans, leaps, rolls, tail slaps, and headstands from T124A2A and T124A2B. One particular headstand revealed that T124A2B is a female. T124C was active with a spy hop and multiple tails slaps. T124A2 also did a mini spy hop and an aerial scan. The only one who wasn’t goofing off was elder male T87. He milled about at the edge of the group. “Morning Star” left T87, the T124A2s, and T124C still milling and goofing off in the shallow area to the west of Lawson reef at 1648.

As “Morning Star” was on its way back to the harbor, “J1” offered to stay with another group of transients until “Morning Star” could reach them. At 1720, “Morning Star” had a quick look at the T124As and T124A1 near Upright Head, on the east side of Shaw Island. The whales appeared to be on a kill and were milling about together. “Morning Star” left the T124As and T124A1 milling in the same spot at 1725.