Date: 25-Aug-19

Sequence: 1 

Encounter Number: 56

Enc Start Time: 09:30

Enc End Time: 11:30

Vessel: Orcinus

Observers: Dave Ellifrit

Pods or ecotype: J Pod

Location: Haro Strait

Begin Lat/Long: 48 31.28/123 09.26

End Lat/Long: 48 34.58/123 12.06

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Encounter Summary:

Reports of J pod on the west side of SJI began coming in early in the morning so Dave headed down to Snug Harbor and left in the boat at 0915. J pod was encountered at 0930 just a little north of Lime Kiln. The whales were spread out in small groups and singles as they headed slowly north with a lot of milling along the way. There was one small socializing group of young males that included J39, J45, J47, and J49 and, a little later in the encounter, all four of these whales surfed the wake of a freighter. Several whales were seen foraging deep into Mitchell Bay and off the mouth of Open Bay. J53 was seen playing with a piece of kelp all by herself-tossing it in the air and vocalizing above the surface. J pod headed slowly around Kellett Bluff and the encounter ended at 1130. The J16s and L87 did not seem to be present during this encounter.