Encounter #60 - Aug 30, 2021

EncDate: 30/08/21

EncSeq: 1

Enc#: 60

ObservBegin: 02:44 PM

ObservEnd: 03:29 PM

Vessel: Orcinus

Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss

Other Observers: Charli Grimes

Pods: L

LocationDescr: Haro Strait

Start Latitude: 48 38.31

Start Longitude: 123 13.48

End Latitude: 48 37.02

End Longitude: 123 13.27

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EncSummary:

After hearing reports of Southern Residents heading south off Turn Point, Michael, Charli, and Dave met at Snug Harbor and left in the boat at 1415. The team had had an encounter (#58) with the L54s and L88 in Mitchell Bay on August 25th as the small group headed north at dusk. The L54s and L88 had been up in the Strait of Georgia since then and were now coming back down. It was not a nice day. The water out in front of CWR in Andrews Bay had been rough before we left and we would likely have to leave the whales once they neared Kellett Bluff. The water was indeed chunky as we made our way toward Kellett Bluff. There was a bit of tidal action going on near the bluff that made for some four foot standing waves we had to slog through. The water got a little calmer off north Henry Island but we were heading with it. The whales were reported to be still off Turn Point so we kept heading that direction.
We arrived on scene about a mile and a half south of Turn Point at 1444. The whales had moved offshore to about mid-strait where the water was the roughest. The L54s and L88 were spread out and heading south fairly quickly into 2-3 foot seas. The first whale we saw and approached was L88. He was surfacing regularly and we got a good right side shot on him despite the difficult water conditions. About 300 yards or so to the west of L88, we saw L108. L108’s dorsal fin has grown since last year and he is now an obvious sprouter. L117 was about 100 yards behind L108 and he quickly caught up and joined his brother. These two were charging enthusiastically into the slop and L108 breached a few times. The whales stopped and milled abruptly before pointing east and moving closer to L88. L54 herself was remaining scarce but was seen about a half mile or so to the southeast of the other three whales. L108 and L117 joined L88 and continued south as a group although occasionally one whale would drift off from the others before coming back. The whales stopped and milled on a couple of occasions before continuing south in a bit of a rowdy manner. L108 breached again and we later realized that both L88 and L108 had been dragging a long strand of kelp with them. Around 1520, we decided to go look for L54 who had been ahead and inshore of the other three. By the time we had a bead on her and were making our way there, L54 turned west and went to join the other three. We got a proof of presence shot on L54 and then ended the encounter at 1529 off north Henry Island.