Captain Brian and I set off for a whale watch tour on Monday, heading north to Saturna Island, Canada. Just as we crossed the border and drew near the shores we saw what we'd hoped to find-- the elusive transient orcas (also called killer whales). Here in the San Juan Islands we have two species of killer whales --transients and residents. Although superficially similar, they are two distinct types of animals and differ in diet, behavior, social patterns, size and markings, location and more. The two species never intermingle or interact.
Most often seen in the San Juans are the members of the Southern Resident population (yes, there's a Northern Resident population too!), so named because they have a smaller home range; sticking closely to the west coast during the winter and here in the Puget Sound in the summer. These fish-eating whales spend time in large family groups (called pods) that can number anywhere from 8 to 87 individuals!
The transient orca has a greater range of habitat and they are more unpredictable. They travel in much smaller groups-- 2 to 5 is average-- silently hunting prey like are porpoises, seals, sea lions and even other whales! These whales are found in every sea of the world, from the Caribbean to the Antarctic!
Once we got close to those transients there was so much to see! There was such an array of behaviors displayed that Brian and I were working hard to keep everyone informed as to what each display meant. We saw pectoral fin slaps, tail lobs, porpoising and most spectacular of all was a number of huge belly flop-style breaches! This was especially cool to see as it's a behavior unique to transient orcas (the Southern Residents land on their backs or sides). While at first Brian thought they were hunting (orcas can throw their bodies into the air and slap down like that when they are attacking harbor porpoises), ultimately we didn't define their purpose.
We got some astounding views of these huge mammals before they continued to swim off. We turned the corner with them and got a few more great looks before they headed away. Our last up close glimpse came as one passed right under the boat, turning sideways as it did, allowing me and a few passengers to see all the white markings on it's side and stomach before surfacing a few yards off.
Blue skies, flat seas and thrilling once-in-a-lifetime displays by some elusive whales. What an unbelievable day!