Date: 28-July-19

Sequence: 1

Encounter Number: 50

Enc Start Time: 08:30

Enc End Time: 09:30

Vessel: Orcinus

Observers: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, and Flora Miles

Pods or ecotype: Transients

Location: Haro Strait

Begin Lat/Long: 48 35.19/123 12.47

End Lat/Long: 48 36.59/123 12.42

 

Encounter Summary:

Jane Cogan called Dave at about 0750 to relay a report posted by Jeanne Hyde of whales heading north near Kelp Reef. Dave then called Michael and we all met down at Snug Harbor and left in the boat at 0830. Shortly after we left Snug Harbor, the whales were spotted and we got on them at 0840 off Kellett Bluff. The whales were the T46s. T46D was traveling a couple of hundred meters behind T46, T46E, and T46F while T122 was about a half mile west of the threesome. All five whales were traveling north until about 0850 when the whales began milling off north Kellett Bluff. T122 came over to the group and T46D caught up to the others before he continued north on his own. The other four whales began an attack on a harbor seal at about 0903 which they finished up by 0920. T46, T46E, and T122 began traveling north again while T46F stayed behind briefly to finish feeding. He then porpoised to catch up to the others and we ended the encounter at 0930 with those four whales in a group traveling north about a mile west of north Kellett Bluff.