Transient orcas T137's, Resident J Pod orcas, and a tufted puffin

August 29, 2019 – First we encountered Biggs/Transient orcas known as the T137’s shortly after leaving the harbor. The orca family was traveling close to San Juan Island in Griffin Bay and continued north towards Friday Harbor. We watched one of them playing with something by holding it in its mouth – we think it was a bird called a common murre. As the orcas rounded the rocks near Turn Island we watched as they prowled around the rocks and possibly grabbed a harbor seal.

T137A has reportedly been seen ‘not well’ – slow travel, lagging behind the family, irregular breathing, not participating in hunting, logging at the surface. Other whale watch Captains recently spotted a potential injury on the bottom of the peduncle near the tail – hopefully this is a clue to what is going on. Hopefully this 17yr old male will heal.

At the bottom of San Juan Island near Cattle Point Lighthouse we spotted a tufted puffin! Quite a rare sight.

As we circumnavigated San Juan Island we briefly encountered the Southern Residents from J pod (J pod minus the J16’s = 18 orcas in all) as they came south passing Lime Kiln Point State Park. They were in a tight group bucking the flood tide. It was breathtaking seeing them together in that setting. The photos say it all. We watched them in awe for a few surfacings before continuing our journey north.

We had dinner near Battleship Island as we crossed Spieden Channel. On through New Channel, onto Spring Pass, and through the islands to the Orcas Ferry Landing. The sunset enroute back to Friday Harbor was spectacular. We couldn’t have asked for a better ending for the newlywed couple on board. <3