J pod Southern Resident Orcas chase Harbor Porpoise

August 18, 2018 – Afternoon half day sail extended. We Sailed South on the ebb passing through Turn Island Pass and crossing to Big Rock glacial erratic on the Lopez shoreline. We travelled down the Lopez shoreline passing Sharks Reef and inside of Dead Mans Island seeing many Harbor seals resting in the protected waters and Bald Eagles just watching the tide roll away. Black Oyster Catchers on the rocks and Cormorants were there also. We drifted in the ebb out to Whale Rocks where many Stellers sea Lions lounged on the rocks or jostled with each other in the shallows. We headed out to Salmon Bank looking Minke Whales finding none but did hear a report that J pod was heading for False Bay. We motor sailed to meet them as they approached San Juan Island. Drifting 1 mile off False Bay at 1900 hrs, J39 who looked to be fishing next to us with some echolocation on the hydrophone suddenly took off in close pursuit of a porpoise. J22 closer to shore was also in pursuit of another porpoise. While J22 was engaged with a porpoise J37 and J49 were milling nearby by and soon J40 came in to join J22. J49 began following and became somewhat involved. Off shore there were what seemed to be 3 other chases happening around us, including J22’s son, J38, being one of them. Wait ’til the Transients find out about this! We left rather late for our homeward sail – Eagle Point, South Beach, Cattle Point Lighthouse, Turn Island. A dusky sunset with muted colours from the haze of the countries forest fires. We arrived after dark to the lights of Friday Harbor.