Orcas T101's meet T34's, T37's and T37A1 around Lopez Island

August 29, 2022 – We sailed south after casting off from Friday Harbor. After exiting Cattle Pass we could see the distant fins of a family of Biggs/ Transient orcas known as the T101’s. We had a quick view of the Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks and boogied to keep up. The T101’s turned by Iceberg Pt and came deep into the bay towards Mackaye Harbor perhaps hunting, but we didn’t observe any obvious predations. The orcas continued on their way hugging the Lopez coastline around the bottom of the island. A different group of orca had been hanging around that area most of the morning including the T34’s, T37’s and T37A1. They were close to shore finishing their meal and began to travel around Watmough Head just as the T101’s came into the zone. As the T101’s rounded the corner they joined up with the others and there was some socializing going on. The large group worked their way north up Rosario Strait. As we neared James Island we were surprised by T37A1 and T37B hunting a harbor seal nearby. Most of the group began milling and/or participating with hunting, too. We observed some backwards swimming by one of the orcas, and as far as we understand is something they do while eating (de-gloving their prey). As we reached Thatcher Pass we broke off to cut through the islands enroute back to Friday Harbor.