On the Water With Whales and....Deer???

We are creeping toward the warmer season here in the San Juans...way up in the NW corner of Washington state.  Being out on the water this time of year...it's anybody's guess as to what to wear (I vote for layers) to be prepared for the weather.  You just never know what you're going to experience in weather...or wildlife!  

One thing I do not expect to see today is a deer swimming across a channel, deer paddling toward shore.  (which was more of a cliff and definitely not a beach)  What first looks like a brown log bobbing in the water ahead, soon becomes a two ears and a head...and then a back...of a black tailed deer!  I know deer swim, I've just never seen one actually doing it here!

Unusual traveler in Swanson Channel

It's a quick look and a photo or two, but no time to stop really.  We are speeding up into Canada as there is a report of a large group of whales near Active Pass, but in Georgia Strait.  There have been a lot of transient orca whales frequenting local waters (and not so local)...and we assume this a group sighted yesterday.

Whoa!  Another surprise...and definitely something else I did NOT expect to see today...J POD!

Granny!  It's so good to see you!

Welcome back Southern Resident orca whales!!  This pod should have about 25 whales present if everyone made it through the winter safely.  Look who passes by!  It's J-2, also known as "Granny"!  She is our oldest living member of the entire three pods that comprise the Southern Resident orcas!  Her estimated birth year is 1911...which, do the math, means she could be 103 years young.  Gasp!

Take a close look at the trailing edge of her dorsal fin...see the half moon shape cut out?  The fin along with the shape of the white saddle patch, individually identifies her as J-2.  I want to swim along like Granny when I'm her age.

L-87 Onyx

Not far away from her is L-87, Onyx an adult male.  He has been traveling with J pod for the past several years, sticking close to the "older (and wiser) ladies" of this group.

Polaris, J-28

J-28, Polaris is present with her offspring.  This photo doesn't show the saddle patch, but take a look at the dorsal fin...there is a "tear" mid way down the dorsal.  This tear showed up a few years ago and it  is an easy way to identifiy her.  How marks  like this occur is a mystery,  and the changes in edges of dorsal fins do not "grow back" or disappear.  It will always be there.

We watch for a long time, following the whales as they travel south and west.  Luckily it's just the way we need to go.   This sunny afternoon on the water ends with a look at Steller sea lions and a smooth ride all the way back to Friday Harbor.

Oh, and all the layers of clothes I have along to be prepared for the weather...surprise, all I need today is one fleece jacket!