3-11-18 The T2Cs - A Natural Form of Seal Control

Sunday, March 11th

...just when you think there can't be anymore cause-for-pause with the T2Cs, they stop you in your tracks...
...not only did they come back to Ruben Tarte Park, where they had been on the 7th of March, today many of us got to watch them for about two hours, some as they were approaching and most of it while they were just about right in front of us...of course I had to continue following them through the day, because when I can...well, I just have to! 

...

...T2C2 is sprouting and his food requirements are increasing!

...here's the cause-for-pause...

...I didn't see it as it was occurring and am so glad it was all documented on my images...just think of the depth of caring, understanding, and actually knowing what to do to care for him...
...was mom teaching the youngest how to care for T2C2? - wow! is about all I can say.


...according to the eco-type chart it's the type B and type C orcas that show a more obvious cape...I've seen capes on some of the orcas in these waters, but it's not real obvious...
...T2C3's cape was pretty obvious, likely due, in part to the angle of the sun...everything lined up for that moment...

...they spent about an hour right in front of lots of people watching from the rocks above them...lots of eating, (we could smell it) and since their meal doesn't stay in one place, they too are moving around getting it...and then they began to move back down island from where they had come...the tide had changed and this family usually 'goes with the flow' and that's because they won't leave T2C2 too far behind...

...they slowly made their way, passing the entrance to Friday Harbor...

...then down toward Jackson's Beach and through Griffin Bay...

...the tide was still ebbing...the current took them out of the channel into Haro Strait...

...this marked the fifth day the T2C family group has been in the San Juans...
...last year they were here for five days before going back to the north where they spend most of their time...perhaps, they will stay a bit longer this year...
...it seems they may have taken on the job of 'seal control' because they eat a lot of seals every day, and it's all done in the natural way.