Rare Transient killer whale behavior was recorded in Haro Strait on December 11, 2013. When killer whales "sleep," they form a resting line, where they are bunched closely together. On our whale watch & wildlife tours, we've encountered upwards of 50 Orcas shoulder to shoulder, surfacing with synchronized movements and breathing. It's pretty incredible! However, the Center for Whale Research captured this video a few days ago of Transient (mammal-hunting) Orcas "logging" at the surface of the water. Logging behavior is defined as lying at the surface without any forward movement. I asked our longtime naturalist, Kevin Culmback (he's been with San Juan Outfitters for 15 years!), if he's ever witnessed this behavior with either our Resident (fish-eating) killer whales or Transient killer whales. Nope! This was Kevin's first time seeing anything like this in killer whales. Other cetaceans, such as right whales, are known to log.
We've also have reported of other Transient Orcas in our area in the last week, including a pod of 20+ Orcas that traveled right past Friday Harbor a few days ago. The pod of Transient killer whales that passed Friday Harbor and out Cattle Pass consisted of T35A, T35A1, T35A2, T38A, T75, T75A, T75B, and T75C.
Brittany Office & Reservations Manager San Juan Outfitters