April 5, 2023
J Pod was coming down San Juan Channel. Before J Pod came into view, some Transient orcas appeared going up the Channel and then the disappeared because J Pod was coming their way. The current was going up San Juan Channel. Many of the whales were on the far side, closer to Lopez Island and people on the shore were watching from there and we were standing on the San Juan Island side.
Other J Pod whales were not as far across and were entering the strongest current and it wasn't long before you could see they were fighting to get through it.
And then there were dorsal fins going every which way. They were about to change direction. (all those white things are arrows pointing in the direction the dorsal fin is going.
And then ---- they turned back to going up island.
They were going to take the 'inside' route - between Goose Island and San Juan Island. It is so special (to me) to get to see them as they are making decisions. Today's decision was about the wellbeing of the entire 25 whales in J Pod. They didn't just come up and zip around the top of Goose Island. No, they were together in groups and as they rounded the top end of Goose Island you could tell they were 'pretty glad' to be taking this route, in my opinion.
I'll post more of this encounter in the next couple of days. Too tired now :)
Thank you, J Pod, for your presence. Hoping you will find enough salmon to eat.
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