Holiday Message from some Marine life

 

No Ordinary Day - 2004-My Journey Began

Going through old files today I came across this... 

"Inside to begin the work day...when in he walked with "there are some crazy orcas out there."  They couldn't be heard...until out the door...a big pwoofff resounded in my ears.

Off at a run to the ocean's edge to experience their mighty majesty.  No mind do they pay to the wind and the rain and the ocean's swells, a breach here and another there. We stood in silence, me and one other, soaking in the awe of it all.  Away they went to meet the Js and do what whales do best.

People came and asked throughout the day, "When do the whales come?" We're not sure, we say, but we think....so wait we do.  Some gave up and went on their way, but what do you know the whales still came.  The ocean was rough, a nasty flood tide, with water spraying off the rocky shore.

The L12s in part came our way and pushed on through.  The patient ones, as short or long as the wait was, had a touch of wonder enter their souls.

A good meal was eaten, my soul already filled, and the most beautiful sunset of all."

No, it was no ordinary day.

July 6, 2004

Jeanne Hyde the beginning of a 'journey' that has gone on for 20 years.

10-11-24 Sad News - New Calf L-128

The Center for Whale Research shared some very sad news about Ballena L-90 and her new calf, L-128.

The details are on Facebook and their site.

9-19-24 Ballena L-90 and her Calf L-128

An unusual and perplexing several days... 

and that's because of Ballena and her new calf!

The calf was first seen recently, the calf and mom have been the only SRKWs in the inland waters for several days now.

This may be the first time ever that this has occurred:

- a new mom - with her very first ever surviving offspring.  Ballena has been pregnant multiple times in the past but not ever seen with an alive offspring.

The whales don't leave their family and often a new mom has been documented by researchers of seeing another member of the Pod bring food to the new mom.

Also there are many times other adults have been attentive to help the new mom.

How's a brand new mom going to take care of a baby and get the food needed to keep her health and her baby's health too.

Well, just maybe this afternoon, off the west side off San Juan Island she demonstrated that 'she can do this'!

Not always easy to see the little one...gotta look close.

They were in the same area for quite a long time. Ballena appeared to be foraging, changing direction often but staying in the same area...it was quite a special afternoon getting to just watch them. :)

I guess she was successful or they likely would have moved on.

What will they do next and which way will they go next? Only they know for sure. We humans have to figure it out!

8-30-24-The last few Months

 It has been busy and not busy - busy with many visitors, seeing long- time friends, oh, and the WHALES!  However, it is a worrisome time and continues to be.  One reason is the lack of their food - salmon which means they have had many days absent from the inland waters.

The next 2 J Pod whales were heading north passing San Juan County Park.

   Spyhop !

Mom and calf

I always like getting images of people on the shore watching the whales.

-Up in the tower waiting for more Lighthouse visitors to come up those stairs, he scans - always alert and ready!!

It is hoped salmon will be returning in September bringing in the SRKWs.

In the meantime there have been Transient orcas just about 'everywhere'. 

They don't eat salmon.  

They eat seals, sea lions, and porpoise.

And seals, sea lions and porpoise eat salmon.