Biggs/Transient orcas T36A's, T49A1, T124A's, T124C, T125A and T128 & J Pod

April 24, 2023 – We had a sail with Biggs/Transient orcas: T36A’s, T49A1, T124A’s, T124C, T125A and T128

This big group of Biggs/Transient orcas had come south down San Juan Channel passing Friday Harbor. After they exited Cattle Pass they began hunting a Steller sea lion(s) near Salmon Bank. Another whale watch boat found Southern Resident orcas from J Pod near the South end of San Juan while enroute to the Biggs. The mammal eating Biggs orcas and the fish eating Southern Resident orcas don’t associate with one another. They are distinctly different eco-types of orcas.

While the Biggs were busy eating the sea lion J Pod was working their way closer to the Biggs. Almost out of nowhere they showed up about 1/4 mile away from the Biggs. We noticed big male orca T125A porpoise towards the other Biggs. At first it appeared that J Pod turned away from the Biggs and the Biggs were pointing towards the J’s. Then J pod circled back. Moments later T125A and his older brother T128 were quickly swimming by us with a big tail slap traveling Southeast with the rest of the Biggs following in a tight group. According to other boats J pod was slowly following behind the Biggs – but in the end they did turn back around and head towards San Juan Island.

Later in the day as Southern Resident J pod orcas were northbound along San Juan Island, a separate group of Biggs orcas, the T75B’s, were also in Haro Strait mid strait. They were hunting a Steller sea lion. J pod was north of County Park when they changed course to a Westerly direction towards the Biggs. There wasn’t any interaction between the two groups. According to other boats on scene about 30 minutes before J pod was visible the Biggs eased off the sea lion but continued to follow it. J pod was approximately 3/4 mile away. The Stellar sea lion was branded with the number 343Y for the record.

Interesting how J Pod showed up near two different groups of Biggs orcas in one day!