Biggs Orcas T124A2's and T124A4's followed by Southern Resident L Pod Orcas

August 4, 2022 – As we left the harbor winds were moderately strong so we reefed the sails and made our way northwest up San Juan Channel with a great sail. A pod of Biggs/Transient orcas known as the T124A2’s and T124A4’s (siblings and their offspring) had been milling near Limestone Pt on San Juan Island. After awhile they began traveling west in Spieden Channel. At the same time Southern Resident orcas from J pod and L pod were northbound in Haro Strait. Perhaps the Biggs orcas became aware of the Southern Resident orcas who were in the direction they were headed, because they did a 180 and flipped back in the direction they just came from. These two eco-type’s of orcas avoid one another when in the same area. This worked out perfectly for us because we were having a hard time catching up to them so we took our time and waited for them to come towards us. The Biggs orcas hugged Spieden shoreline and then crossed towards Flattop Island and then zig zagged their way North in Boundary Pass. We decided to continue our sail towards Saturna Island and observe the Southern Resident orcas at a distance as they went by. The J’s appeared to be in the lead with L’s trailing. There were lots of playful surface behaviors such as cartwheels, backward breaches, spy hops, and we also saw some porpoising. The whales traveled in loose groups towards East Pt on their way to the Fraser River. At one point we observed a few of the Southern Residents briefly change course with a bit of speed in the direction of the Biggs orcas who were making slow progress north near Skipjack Island. Both types of orcas continued onwards and we came about to head south to head back to Friday Harbor via White Rock and Flattop Island to check out some more wildlife.

Note: All photos of Southern Resident orcas are heavily cropped to show details. We comply with all Federal and State Regulations.